A Conversation for Australian Slang
Some Aussie thoughts
Spinifex Started conversation Nov 10, 1999
I've just returned from a holiday overseas and I couldn't help but notice the funny way people talk in other places. In the USA I invariably had to repeat myself when asking for something over the counter in any shop - very strange, since it is them who have the accent, not me!
In the US they call a jumper a sweater, and a scone a biscuit. A dry biscuit is a cracker and a sweet biscuit is a cookie. When you look for the public toilet in the US, you have to look for the Restroom sign, whereas in Canada it is the Washroom.
But the weirdest thing about the USA and Canada is that ALL THE LIGHT SWITCHES ARE UPSIDE DOWN. Now I was prepared for everyone to be driving on the wrong side of the road and for the water to swirl the wrong way down the plug-hole, but light swiches of all things! Is nothing sacred?
Then in the UK, they call thongs 'flip-flops'.
And just a couple of Aussie-isms that I haven't seen so far in the list here -
SPARKIE - Electrician
CHALKIE - Teacher
BRICKIE - Bricklayer
There are a whole lot of others in this vein, but my mind has gone blank. Maybe someone else can help?....
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Some Aussie thoughts
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