How to speak (West) Australian

This is not the same English language that I learned in America (or should I say “learnt”). It can also get confusing because there are so many POMs or Pommies here (British – ya know, Prisoners of her Majesty) and they speak British English. I speak American English (Yank English). Aussies speak…..something else altogether, but more similar to Pommie English. Also there are many regional differences (I'm told); just like America, where north / south / east / west / city / country all have their own ways of speaking. The first basic rule is to shorten everything and put an “ie” or “y” at the end.

The basics:

·         H is hay-ch – hard to spell out my name!

·         Z is zed

·         Replace z with s (organisation)

·         Sometimes replace i with y (tyre)

·         Reverse r and e (centre, theatre)

·         Replace o with ou (behaviour)

·         Sch say like sh (schedule = shedule (no k sound in there))

People

·         Bloke = guy

·         Mate = friend

·         Mum = mom

·         Nanny or nana = grandma

·         Poppy or pop = grandpa

·         Bub = baby

Clothing

·         Pram = stroller

·         Nappy = diaper

·         Dummy = pacifier

·         Bathers = swimsuit * however there are regional differences – on the east coast they would call a swimsuit “swimmers” or “togs”

·         Boardies = board shorts

·         Jumper = sweater

·         Jumper (in sports) = jersey / uniform

·         Purse = wallet

·         Bag = purse

·         Mobile = cell phone

·         Thongs = flip flops

·         Jocks = men’s underwear

·         Knickers = women’s underwear

·         Frock = dress

·         Fringe = bangs

·         Fancy Dress Party = costume or dress up party (pretty common actually! They might base it on a letter, like you have to dress as something that starts with A (angel, apple, etc)

·         GHD = good hair day which is a hair straightener

Food

·         Tea = dinner

·         Brekky = breakfast

·         Morning or afternoon tea = snack

·         Lollies = candy of any kind

·         Long black = coffee

·         Short balck = espresso

·         Flat white = latte (coffee in general is way different here. There is no “drip coffee” like Americans drink to be found anywhere. It is also VERY expensive.)

·         Biscuit = cookie or cracker

·         Nibbles or nibblies = snacks

·         Eskie = cooler

·         Chips = fries (like French fries)

·         Capsicum = red bell peppers

·         Bottle Shop or Bottlo = liquor store (drinking age is 18 here!)

·         Champers = champagne

·         Shout = to buy a round of drinks

·         Maccas = McDonalds

·         Hungry Jacks or HJs = Burger King

Travel and other misc stuff

·         Bush = the country

·         Lift = elevator

·         Toilet = bathroom / restroom. It is commonly asked where the toilet is, which may be found inappropriate by Americans.

·         Car park = parking lot

·         Footpath = sidewalk

·         Petrol = gas (for a car)

·         Trolly = shopping cart

·         Boot = trunk (of the car)

·         Rubbish = trash

·         Rubbish bin or just bin = trash can

·         Holiday = vacation

·         Annual leave = vacation (in terms of taking days off work)

·         Superannuation = similar to 401k or retirement (referred to as “super”)

·         Surname = last name

·         Cyclone = hurricane

·         Hire = rent (as in “Hire a car”)

·         Jetty = pier / dock

·         Telly = TV

·         Footy = football

·         Pressy = present

·         Chrissy = Christmas

·         Barbie = bar-b-que

·         Mossy = mosquito

Greetings and other phrases

·         Ta = thank you

·         Cheers = thank you or good-bye or used when signing off on an email

·         Good on ya = good for you

·         No worries and no drama = no problem, not a big deal

·         Arvo = afternoon

·         Tomoz = tomorrow

·         Can’t be bothered = I don’t feel like it

·         Keen = want to, would like to (as in “are you keen for a concert on Friday?”)

Then there's the very common usage of words like brilliant, lovely, gorgeous, or you beauty (pronounced as youuuu beeuuuty!).

Adult stuff

·         Bloody (insert swear word of choice)

·         Pissed = drunk

·         Sunday session or “Sunday sesh” = Sunday Funday (drinking at the pub on a Sunday afternoon)

·         Bum = butt

·         Fanny = vagina (so NEVER say “fanny pack”, instead say “bum bag”….not that I’d ever have to worry about saying fanny pack.)

Also something unintentionally funny would be: Rubber = eraser (like on a pencil). If erasing something, one would say “rub it out” which a (young, silly) American may find hilarious.

School

Uni = college. In fact, college would generally refer to high school here (Trinity College is a boys prep school). High school is generally referred to in years – “year 12” would be senior year in high school. So when I say "I went to college at...." it doesn't mean the same thing. I should always say "uni" but it just sounds funny to me.

Well that's all I can think of right now! Needless to say, it's been fun (and funny). One night I was having a hard time and a friend pointed out that at least I didn't have to learn another language. I would argue that point, at least a little!