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Par Miss Lantin le 14 Mai 2014 à 06:17
There's a dark secret that most Australians carry around with them, a piece of knowledge that's stored away and rarely revealed. And that dark secret is this: we actually like the Kiwis.
Not just like them – this writer, at least, kinda loves them. Forget the forced sibling rivalry, most Kiwis are open, friendly, genuine people who'll always go out of their way to help you, particularly when you're a guest in their fine land. From driving directions to drinking buddies, there's usually someone on hand to assist.
Only trouble is, you can't really understand what they're saying.
“You got a chully bun bro? Choice, eh? You need your jandals too though, eh?”
Um, huh? It's English alright – only, it's Kiwi English. And sometimes the language can vary wildly from the broad 'Strayan we speak over here. So, in the interest of Trans-Tasman relationships, of making New Zealand-born friends and knowing what they're on about the whole time, here's a guide to slang when visiting our favourite neighbours.
Aussie
Used as a noun rather than the more familiar adjective form. “Oh, you're over from Aussie eh bro?” This can be confusing, given we don't refer to their country as “Kiwi”. Kiwiland, yes. But not Kiwi.
Bach (or crib)
The name given to a small and often quite modest holiday home, usually situated in the mountains or by the coast. It should be noted that bach is pronounced “batch”, rather than like the German composer, and that “crib” sounds a lot less gangster when coming from a Kiwi.
Bro
Like the equivalent Australian term of “mate”, “bro” can be applied to all manner of people, with the difference in meaning only distinguishable by tone. There's “good to see you bro”, which should be taken as a friendly greeting. Then there's, “What are you lookin' at bro?”, which should be taken as advice to not look at whatever it is you're looking at.
Cheese roll
Not, as you might imagine, a bread roll filled with cheese. And it's not the name of a snowboarding trick. No, a cheese roll is a quirk of the very south of New Zealand, a slice of bread that's slathered with a mix of grated cheese, onion soup powder and evaporated milk, rolled into a cylinder and then toasted under a grill. The result is both fatty and delicious.
Chilly Bin
Essentially it's an Esky. Actually in every respect it's an Esky. The only reason we can think that it's not called an Esky is that Esky is not the dominant brand of Esky in New Zealand, and therefore the locals had to come up with something far more imaginative. Of particular amusement for Australians is when one puts a “Snuckers in the chully bun”.
Choice
Used as an acceptable replacement for the following words: good, excellent, great, agreeable, fantastic, fine, lovely, awesome, decent, suitable, pleasant, amazing, remarkable, splendid, grand, tremendous, and astounding. “Choice, eh?”
Dairy
Kiwi slang for a corner store, sometimes referred to as a “corner dairy”. This obviously dates back from times when corner stores would produce their own milk in New Zealand, although we're assured that that stopped happening at least three or four years ago.
Fush and chups
The chances of you actually hearing this famous Kiwi phrase are actually fairly slim, unless you spend all day hanging around fish and chip shops. And most Kiwi accents aren't even strong enough to make it funny. Plus, gleefully asking your new Trans-Tasman friends to say “fush and chups” will make you about as popular as underarm bowling.
Jandals
The Kiwi term for thongs, or flip-flops, thought to be a shortening of “Japanese sandals”, which makes sense when you think about it. I guess. Keep an ear out for the phrase “giving it the full jandal”, which means planting your foot on the accelerator of a car, or just generally giving it everything.
Pavlova
A meringue-and-cream-based dessert that New Zealanders seem to think they invented. Whatever. Just let them have it.
Ruchie McCaw
Some sort of rugby player and/or deity. We can't be absolutely certain. What is certain, however, is that if you insult this McCaw character, perhaps by calling his good sportsmanship into question, or insinuating that he may be world rugby's most successful cheat, or accidentally kneeing him in the head while he's lying on the ground [link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9RYZStDdDI], you'd better get yourself out of the country, pronto.
Sweet as
Like “choice”, this can substitute any words of agreement or satisfaction. For example: “How are you today bro?” “Oh, I'm sweet as, eh?”
Tiki tour
Not to be confused with a “Contiki tour” which is a shared Australian and New Zealand ritual of getting drunk while seeing Europe, a “tiki tour” is a catch-all phrase for the round-about way of getting somewhere. As in, the scenic route. So, “Are we doing a tiki tour?” is something you might ask your taxi driver.
The West Island
Hilarious local sarcasm for the country otherwise known as Australia, or Aussie. This tongue-in-cheek term is probably a nod to the fact that there are nearly as many New Zealanders living on the West Island as there are on the North or South Islands.
Wop-wops
Apparently a place that's pretty close to whoop-whoop. As in, the back of beyond. Out in the sticks. Beyond the black stump. In New Zealand this could count for pretty much anything outside of Auckland.
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Par Miss Lantin le 22 Février 2014 à 08:24
HE slipped away under the cover of night — disappointing many — but Perth’s star seal has made a surprise return to Sorrento after an overnight swim.
The sub-adult male seal, dubbed Steven Sealberg by PerthNow readers, dragged itself to the water’s edge at Sorrento about 2am today and swam away.
Hundreds of beachgoers who flocked to the area this morning to catch a glimpse of the southern elephant seal were left disappointed when they found just an empty beach.
But the Department of Parks and Wildlife confirmed just after midday Steve was spotted back on shore, further south from his original resting sport.
■ THANKS FOR THE TWEET MEMORIES, STEVE
The animal swam ashore on Wednesday and has been unperturbed by all the attention it has received from visitors day and night - until one onlooker patted the seal and narrowly avoided an angry backlash from its tail.
The onlooker’s foolish actions prompted a warning for the public to stay away from the unpredictable animal and wildlife officers erected a fence to prevent people coming too close.
The star attraction of Sorrento Beach was mostly resting up and drawing daily crowds by the hundreds. The 2000kg mammal even caused traffic woes, with families parking illegally to see the seal.
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Par Miss Lantin le 24 Décembre 2013 à 23:35
Farmers are rejoicing at the Christmas rain, even though holidaymakers might not share their enthusiasm.
Federated Farmers Adverse Events spokeswoman Katie Milne said Santa delivered farmers the best present of all this year.
"I admit what's good for us farmers may not be great for those in a tent, but every raindrop pushes back the prospect of drought." The rain would give farmers an excuse to take a break from the farm and spend some time with family, she said.
Rain and wind heralded in Christmas for much of the country this morning.
It is expected to ease in most North Island centres, but Christchurch and Dunedin will see rain and southwesterlies for much of the day.
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Par Miss Lantin le 23 Décembre 2013 à 12:55
Dashing through the bushIn a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts & thongsOH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTEEngine’s getting hot
Dodge the kangaroos
Swaggy climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTECome the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing upOH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE votre commentaire
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