Actually, this is pronounced "G'die, mite" should you ever hear anyone say this. "G'day" is heard, and "mate" is heard but I don't hear them together. You don't hear about anyone 'flipping shrimps on barbies' either...even if they do call shrimp 'prawns'. There's a few 'dunnies' around though. Crocodile Dundee aside, there are a few phrases that get stuck in your ears when you first arrive here:
"How are you going?" = How are you doing?
"Good on ya'" = Good for you!
"ing" is a common suffix for many words. Stores have 'opening hours.' I write 'covering letters' to potential employers. Expectant women are 'dueing in April'.
Kids learn math in school. Spelt 'maths'. Pronounced 'mass'. I prefer 'numeracy'.
Sports rule here. That's why I list 'referees' instead of references on job applications.
Tuna is really chyuna, Tuesday chyuzday all wrapped up in al-loo-min-nee-um foil.
But, far and away the most common speech pattern is to use the diminutives:
Mossies are mosquitos, relies are relatives, Chrissie is Christmas, bikkies for biscuits (cookies, that is) and brekky is served in the morning. Lollies (candy) for a treat. See, that guy was right, everything you need to know you did learn in kindergarten (kindy).
Kettles on. See ya lighter.
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An American follows her Australian husband to the end of the Earth...also known as Perth. This is what your guidebooks won't or can't tell you.
About Me
- Miss Hilary
- Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
- OZ is the third foreign country I have lived/worked in--if you dont count life on a cruise ship. I started my professional life in television, moved into Tourism and Hospitality and mixed it up with a bit of world travel. So I have lots of stories to tell-but not all at once! Ah, the life of an artiste and vagabond. ;-)
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