Aussie Phrases - 09 April 2014

A friend posted on my facebook page a link to this HuffPost article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-be/14-aussie-phrases-america_b_5065859.html

Here's my take on this person's account of Aussie phrases.

This person doesn't understand "sus it out" as I do. To me it's more about figuring something out. I have not heard someone say "the sus." I have heard people talk about being "sussed" which seems to mean organized or put together. "Sussed and sorted" is a phrase I hear around the office - almost as good as "done and dusted" which is what they say when something is finished. I also say "under the pump" which is their way of saying "super busy!" - as in "I'd love to help you with that, but I'm under the pump with this other project and don't have time to spare."

I say "can't be bothered" "keen" and "uni" all the time. I said no worries before I lived here thanks to crocodile dundee - but Aussies say no drama pretty often which I think is funny.

Mates. Everyone here is a mate - I still giggle every time I hear a big Aussie dad saying it to his kids in the grocery store - "C'mon mate, let's go get some milk." And when someone is talking about two straight guys that are best pals, it throws me off when they say "you know, they're mates." What? Oh right. Close friends.

Also, big Aussie firefighters saying "No drama, mate." Funny.

What a beaut.
Never heard it. Aussies around me do tend to say somethings or someones are "Gorgeous." With all the extra vowels they use it sounds more like "Guourgueeeous"

Bogans.
Yes, they say this, it sort of means red-necks. The contrast is Wankers who are people who use lots of electronic gadgets, wear skinny leg jeans, and lots of black. Like a cross between metro-sexuals and grunge. Tradies is the other one that I hear often - Tradies are tradespeople - electricians, plumbers, carpenters. All noticeable because Australian OHSA (health and safety) requires them to wear high visibility clothing. So they're either wearing bright orange or bright green. Easy to spot on the tram or train or sidewalk. According to the lunchtime conversation I had with some Aussies about this, Tradies are often Bogans, and they are the natural enemies of Wankers. And vice versa.

Knackered.
I like this one. Someone just used it in a high level meeting I was at the other day. I still get a kick out of asking what words like this mean. "I'm knackered" the big important guy said. "Does that mean you're tired?" piped up the smart ass American...

Brekky
Aussies love to make words shorter. Brekky is one of those words, along with Maccas (McDonalds) Ambos (ambulance drivers/paramedics), Tradies, etc. See the post with the Maccas ad for more examples.


My favorite - "Give it a red hot go!"
Our administrative goddess, Marion, is a lovely, classy lady who has been at the university for so long that her email is just marion@unimelb.... Periodically, I'll ask her to do something and this is what she will say: "I don't know quite how to do that Amy, but I'll give it a red hot go and tell you what I come up with." What is not to love about that?