{"id":8298,"date":"2017-03-15T07:08:29","date_gmt":"2017-03-15T14:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ann-tran.com\/?p=8298"},"modified":"2019-07-26T14:16:28","modified_gmt":"2019-07-26T21:16:28","slug":"australian-phrasebook-native-english-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ann-tran.com\/2017\/03\/australian-phrasebook-native-english-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"An Australian Phrasebook for Native English Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy to make friends in Australia, home to some of the world\u2019s most gregarious people. Understanding what my new friends were talking about was another matter. They probably thought I was \u201ca few kangaroos short in the top paddock,\u201d but rather \u201clike a box of birds,\u201d we were able to strengthen our cross cultural understandings and do our bit for international diplomacy.<\/p>\n

On my cruise from Singapore to Australia, some of my new friends indulged me with a few lessons in Australian colloquialisms. Their use of the English language is as beautiful and varied as the Australian landscapes. The following are some of the more colorful phrases I learned. (And, my fellow Americans, here\u2019s a tip: We need to pick up the pace of our speech. Practice saying these fast!)<\/p>\n

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Tart up \u00a0<\/strong>To dress up in a glamorous fashion. Generally known for dressing provocatively.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like a shag on a rock \u00a0<\/strong>Put the Austin Powers version of shag out of your mind. \u201cLike a shag on a rock\u201d is the equivalent of being completely alone or by oneself, oftentimes referring to being abandoned. As in, \u201cThey went home and left me at the club like a shag on a rock.\u201d Shag is an Australian coastal bird that perches solo on a rock.<\/p>\n

Like a box of birds \u00a0<\/strong>Sounds like a collective noun, doesn\u2019t it? Flock of geese, herd of cattle, school of fish \u2026 Well, actually, it\u2019s the answer to \u201cHow are you?\u201d Responding with \u201cLike a box of birds\u201d means to feel really good, be happy or chirpy, and, presumably, energetic.<\/p>\n

Bobby dazzler or bobby daz \u00a0<\/strong>Not named after a specific person named Bobby or a British police officer, a bobby dazzler is someone who is dressed up in fancy clothing, very attractive, or a piece of eye candy. The origin is believed to come from dazzling to the eye.<\/p>\n

Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking \u00a0<\/strong>Don\u2019t mind that Australians are world champs when it comes to imbibing alcohol. This has nothing to do with actual drinking. \u201cFlat our drinking like a lizard\u201d means to be extremely busy. Huh? Yes, as a matter of fact, not only do lizards drink very quickly, they stretch their bodies to reach the water. Additionally, in Australia slang \u201cflat out with work\u201d means to have too much work to do.<\/p>\n

Going to see a man about a dog \u00a0<\/strong>Used in answering, \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d when you want to keep your whereabouts unknown, for example, going to the pub or out to buy an anniversary present. Obviously not used in the case of trying to keep your whereabouts a real secret.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s so windy, it\u2019ll blow a dog off a chain \u00a0<\/strong>This is one of the more literal slang phrases. In the Australian outback, working dogs are chained or tied so they won\u2019t wander. The outback is also home to very strong winds. The phrase \u201cit\u2019s so windy, it\u2019ll blow a dog off a chain\u201d creates the image of a dog being strung behind its chain due to the strong wind.<\/p>\n

Aren\u2019t these great? I can\u2019t wait to try some out when I get home. Wonder if anyone will understand me, or if they\u2019ll think I\u2019m \u201ca few kangaroos short in the top paddock.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s easy to make friends in Australia, home to some of the world\u2019s most gregarious people. Understanding what my new friends were talking about was another matter. They probably thought…Posted on<\/span>