Part of living or traveling in any country different from your homeland requires getting to know the language. In Swedish, I am at that awkward stage with the language where I can read a newspaper article, but not carry on a conversation for very long. But even here in Australia where the language is my own, there are still communication problems. And that’s in spite of the fact that I am married to an Australian and this is my seventh visit here.
Just this morning, Robert’s cousin used the term dinky di which is the same as fair dinkum which basically translates to the truth or something that’s for real or for certain.
When you order a beer, you have the choice between a schooner (a pint) or a midi. Ta means thank you. Tea means dinner. Agro means aggressive. Uni means university. A pom or a pommie is a Brit. Bloody in front of any word adds extra emphasis. Thus I am a bloody Yank as I am from the US.
S’truth is an expression of surprise at something that is the truth: is that true?
Taking things a bit further, you don’t want to tell an Aussie that you root for a certain sports team as they will wonder what you are up to as a root is what you do in bed.
True blue is what you are if you are a fair dinkum Aussie.
Buggered if I know: that’s a very emphatic I don’t know.
So there’s a start to my Aussie dictionary. I will add more soon.
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Hi Sandy!
Sounds like you and Robert are having a great time Down Under! Too funny to read this after writing you the other day. I love Aussie slang. Some of my favorites are: “It’s my shout!” “I’ll have a tinnie of VB.” “Got to put on my sunnies.” And yep, that’s a “sheila” over there doing a little “snogging.”
Enjoy your time with Kevin and Peter!
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