Americans and Aussies

[alcina]

OK - I am an American who has lived in Australia more or less for the past 16 years, so one would assume I know the answer to these questions, but I find that the longer I live here, the more muddled I become!

1) What are some "American slang" terms and the Australian equivalent or words that are the same but mean different things? We have covered some of the basics of "shelia" "boot" "yakka" "rubber"

2) What are some words that Americans pronounce one way and Australians pronounce another...example "oregano" (Aussies say it like O - reh - gahn - o...emphasis on the ga kind of) and "jail"/ "gaol".

I get asked this all the time and need some more, new answers Thanks for these extra bits of trivia.

 

[Jonathan]

The one that cracked me up is Arkansas!! Where's the w in that? And why is Kansas not pronounced Kensaw?

Our current favorites in the office though are aluminium and Z - trying to educate one of our colonial colleagues....

what is a yakka by the way? Isn't that one of the cricket grounds...

 

[Dryglove]

There is always the tomato word.My wife is australian.She was born and raised in sydney.She still calls a shopping basket a trolly and says lollies instead of candy.Those are the ones that pop to mind right off.

 

[Jonathan]

lolly is a type of sweet and Candy is a girls name

 

[SimonN]

Fanny has to be the best one.

 

[alcina]

I totally forgot about "fanny"! It is one of the best. Thanks for all of these so far.

johnathon - "Yakka" = work...mostly used as "It was hard yakka - I need another tinny/stubbie" in Australia.

 

[SimonN]

More UK than Oz, but 'smoking a fag'.

 

[Hallmac]

Get it a go vs give it a try

how about radio vs wireless

Flashlight vs torch

Hallmac

 

[Jonathan]

who says

Get it a go

refridgerator vs. fridge
elevator vs lift
gararge vs garage
geyser vs geezer

the classic misunderstandings of course are suspenders and braces - as we all know suspenders hold up ladies stockinggs and braces mens trousers!

There are actually disctionaries in the UK:
English to American
English to Australian

Saw an advert the other day when looking for a hotel and the only english (rest in nihongo) was "Sweet" when talking about a Suite.... Oh well at least they had a go!

and of course if you want someone to give you a fag you ask "can I ponce a fag?"

Jonathan

 

[Hallmac]

I bet he said it during every briefing I thought it funny as heck!

Sorry! he the only Aussie I know. I just took it to be a saying maybe it was a catch phraze he liked.

Hallmac