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hmmm things are spreading

po-po is pretty comon though... i've heard it in movies.

I've used "Sorry?" instead of what from time to time along with most people I've known. I don't think its a regional thing. I've heard it used in british lit as well.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

I use "sorry" all the time in that sense. While I was in America it seemed quite rude when people just say "what?" when they don't understand.

Another thing was when you are at the register of a store, no-one ever said please or thank you, they just say the total and take your money. Here they usually say please after the total and thank you once you give them the money.

All right, this is going to bug me... Jorge, I'm digging through my knowledge of the German language and while I know I'm nowhere near fluent, I can't think of any wording to fit what you've described. Granted, what you learn in school isn't the colloquial language, but rather the court language or "high German" as it's referred to...

I hope the mods will forgive my lapse into another language as I try to work this out...

"What did you say?" in a polite form would be something along the lines of "Was hast du gesagen?" or "Was sagten Sie?" While "I'm sorry" or "apologies" would be "Entschuldigung" or "es tut mir leid." I'm verifying this with the bf who is fluent, cause like I said, my German isn't up to par.

So, yeah... I'm not seeing the connection in what you're saying. Maybe I misunderstood?

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

How 'bout the one I use the most at work?

une momentito por favor? just a minute please?

or the best one to those who are no way near spanish speaking....

munde? (ounced Monday) may I be of assistance, how can I help you....

hast luego, y buenos noches ya'll

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

To explain, Cincinnati is a German city. Apparently, the German word for "sorry" is the same as the German word for "what" as in "what did you say" So as Germans began speaking english, they would learn to say "sorry" instead of "*insert appropriate german word here*" to say "what did you say" and it somehow stuck.

I didn't know that Rasco.

Thanks for sharing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

We always use it as an abbreviation for "im sorry I didnt hear you". That would be the same as what. I believe we are among the few people that say "what what" Though. Well the incredibly posh people might anyway. Its like saying "what -ho" which far from being a lyric in a rap music track, means "hello, whats up, whats happening".

Favourites used by veterans of both world wars with huge moustaches.

And Hirsty always comes in with "eh up" which I still don't get!

I was just watching telly and I had to come in and post. Sad but true, I thought it was important

Women over here don't wear 'panties', they wear 'knickers' or 'undies'. On the rare occasion I have heard anyone use the term panties, its always been as a bit of a joke.

They may also be called Reggies (though I think that is less used) which comes from Reg Grundies, rhyming slang for undies Reg Grundy owns a large slice of the TV world, or he did in the 80s anyway. Reg Grundies goes for both male and female garments, though tends to have a male bias, and tends to be used by those in the 30+ age bracket.

Oh, and daks. There is an underwear brand called Underdaks, though I'm having a bit of a chicken/egg moment with this one. The phrase "drop your daks" is pretty common, usually as in "hurry up! drop your daks and lets get out in the waves!", referring to the outer layer of clothing. And to dak someone, not a particularly pleasant experience. Generally in that context it refers to the outer layer too.

I'll bet that underwear terminology is pretty regional, I remember having a conversation with someone from QLD and I can't remember what they called them,but it was one I hadn't heard of before.

Ohh, and trakkies/trakkie daks, from the wonderfully versatile track suit Fleece pants, daggy ones, none of this shiny breathable sports fabic bizzo, its got to be fleecy The matching upper garment is generally a jumper rather than a sweater.

And on the subject of pants, does anyone else use "it's the ants pants" to describe something that is really great?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Calla, yeah. Grundies. We obviously took the surname bit of Reg Grundy and other regions took the first name option.

Remember Scungies? Maybe not. It was a brand. Worn over your normal underwear if you had on a sports skirt... for modesty. But since it was basically the same cut as underwear it was just a colour thing that made it for modesty I guess. In primary school one would wear scungies under your normal uniform not just sports uniform. Once again this was an 80's thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I remember scungies, I still have my pair from school!

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

EVERYONE IN! ITS SPITTIN! ITS SPITTIN! EVERYONE IN!
true, though. "that fine rain that gets you wet through" - as opposed to the dry stuff?
Howdo/yreet = you ok?
ne'then=now then
The Big Light is over here in the uk, too.

Hehe... calla, not familiar with ants wearing pants, but "it's the bee's knees" means the same.

I volunteer "merph" which is more a made-up term I suppose. I remember Babel claiming it as something she used first, but I'd used the term before coming to FP... dunno where it originates, but it's a cute term. Somewhere along the lines of "hmph!" or similar sulky terms.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Scungies are called "bloomers" over here...I used to wear them under my tennis skirt.

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Scungies are called "bloomers" over here

I think they are also called spankies (if we are talking about the same thing )...cheerleaders wear them under their skirts.

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Yes a tinnie is a small boat, but it's also a can of beer.

A bottle-o is the place you go to buy your grog (alcohol)

A milko is the delivery man who delivers your milk to your home or to the shop. Where I live, there really aren't milko's anymore - we just go to the shop or maybe to the "servo" (service station which is another word for petrol (gas) station). I had a milkman when I was kid though & think country towns still probably have them now.

In NSW, McDonalds is Maccas.

Superlion, yep, we have car boot sales too. Probably haven't seen one in a while though.

fish patty, yep, your hood=our bonnet? Your trunk = our boot?

Budgie-snugglers = a pair of men's skimpy speedo style swimmers. (oops, do you say "speedo" if not, imagine men's swimmers that look like normal style underwear - not boxer shorts)

Boardshorts - mens swimmers (often referred to as boardies eg. "get your boardies - we're going to the beach"

Cozzi = any sort of swimming suit - eg bikini, one piece etc.

Bikkie = biscuit (or do you call it cookie). We also say "it cost big bikkies" = it was expensive).

Bodgy or dodgy: means that something isn't the best quality.

Booze bus = a police vehicle used for catching drunk drivers.

Dinky-di = the real thing, the genuine article

Dob someone in = report somebody for something they did wrong. Hence dobber, a tell-tale.

Garbo, garbologist = the man who collects your household rubbish on a weekly basis.

Knock = to criticise something

Rellie or relo = family relative

chuck a sickie = take the day off sick from work when you're perfectly healthy

Spit the dummy = get very upset at something eg. loose your tempter

Hit the Turps = go on a drinking binge

Yewy = u-turn in traffic eg "chuck a yewy at the next traffic lights"

No worries! = No problem; forget about it; I can do it; Yes, I'll do it (you get the idea)

Ankle biter = a small or young child.

bangers = sausages
snag = sausages

Maybe you all use these (or some of them too). We probably don't even realise the other things we say, that confuse non Australians.

Good thread wish-ga


Cheers
TW

Man, Robyn, was that thread enlightening. I might have to steal some of those!! I like 'garbologist'. That cracked me up!! Chuck a sickie....that is my new phrase.

Wish-ga chucked one on us one time from down there...it was "wheelie-bin" when I asked her what it was she posted a pic of a grabage can with wheels (same kind in my yard)....I've called it the wheelie-bin ever since.

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Wow..............a whole other language!

So.............I actually spit the dummy last night.

Attached Image:

I chucked a sickie last week and I hit the turps last night. LOL I'm SO bad.


Usually, I chuck a sickie because I hit the turps the night before.

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

I've called it the wheelie-bin ever since

Is there any other name?

I actually spit the dummy last night

So Fish Patty, you chucked a nana last night, did you?

I got interested in this, so I googled for Oz slang. There are heaps more, but I picked out ones I actually come across, use or hear said around me. The others, yeah nothing I haven't heard before, but I don't tend to hear them said myself & so didn't include them here. Here's my list - it's long, so you may not be interested in reading it all.

Ace! =Excellent! Very good!
Arvo = afternoon
Back of Bourke = long way away
Bail out = to leave or change your mind on being involved in a situation
Barbie = barbecue (noun)
Barrack = to cheer on
Battler = a hard worker only just making a living
Beaut, beauty = great, fantastic
Beyond the Black Stump = a long way away, the back of nowhere
Do your Block = get angry
Blow in = stranger or someone not usually see in the area or social group
Blow in the bag = have a breathalyzer test
Bludger = layabout
Have a Blue = argument
Make a Blue = a mistake
Feeling Blue = sad
Bog in = start eating (eg "2, 4, 6 8, bog in, don't wait" )
Bonzer = great, ripper
Boogie board = body board, but not a full surfboard though, it's the smaller version you lie on to catch waves.
Your blood's worth bottling: = you're excellent, good to keep around (like a good bottle of wine was worth bottling)
Hasn't got a Brass razoo = he is very poor
Brekkie = breakfast
Brickie = bricklayer
Brizzie = Brisbane, state capital of Queensland
Buckley's chance = no chance
Yours & Buckley's : see above
I'll have a Burl = I'll have a go, I'll try that
Bushie = someone who lives in the Bush
BYO = unlicensed restaurant where you have to Bring Your Own grog
It's Cactus = It's dead, broken, no good
Cark it = to die, stop working (my car cark it today)
Chewie = chewing gum
Chocka = full up
Chokkie = chocolate
Chunder = vomit
Clayton's = fake, substitute
Coldie = a beer
Come good = turn out ok
Compo = Workers Compensation pay
Not within Cooee = a long way away
Daks = trousers
Deadset = true / the truth
Digger = a soldier
Dill = an idiot
Doco = documentary
Dole bludger = signing on illegally or taking advantage of welfare payments
Drongo = a dope, stupid person
Earbashing = nagging
Esky = coolbox
Off your Face = very drunk
Fair go = a chance / break
Flat out = busy
Give it the Flick = give something a miss, decide not to do it.
To Flick someone = to dump them, let them down, not meet up with them, avoid them
Flog = to sell / steal
If someone is a Fruit loop = they're a bit silly
Full = drunk
Galah = fool
Give it away = give up, stop doing it
Give a Gobful = to abuse verbally
Grundies = underwear
If something is Iffy = then it might be dodgy or not right
If I'm Iffy about something, = I'm undecided about it
It's gone walkabout = it's lost, can't be found
He's gone walkabouts = he's not here, didn't say where he was going, don't know where he is. A bit like "missing in action"
Jocks = male pants
Journo = journalist
Kick the bucket = to die
Kindie = kindergarten
Lob in = drop in to see someone
Mug = gullible person
Munchies = snacks, nibbles
Nipper = young surf lifesaver
Offsider = an assistant / helper / partner
Pav = Pavlova = yummy stuff
Polly = politician
Postie = postman
Pozzy = position
Rack off = get lost! get out of here!
Rage = party
Rage on = to continue partying
Rapt = pleased, delighted
Reckon! = for sure
Right = okay
Ring in = substitute
Ripper = Great
Rock up = to turn up, arrive
Rollie = a cigarette that you roll yourself
Rotten = drunk
To Rubbish something = is to criticize
Sanger = a sandwich
Schooner = large beer glass in QLD and NSW
Middy = smaller glass of beer
Scratchy = instant lottery ticket
She'll be apples = It'll be alright
Shoot through = to leave
Shout = a round of drinks
Slab = crate of beer
Smoko = smoke or coffee break
Spag bol = spaghetti bolognese
Spewin = very angry
Sprung = caught doing something
Spunk = a good looking person
Squizz = to look
Stoked = very pleased
Strewth = exclamation
Strides = trousers
Stubby = a 375ml beer bottle
Stubby holder = beer bottle cooler
I feel Stuffed = I'm tired
I'll be Stuffed = I'm surprised
Sunnies = sunglasses
Surfies = people who go surfing - more than they go to work!
Tall poppies = successful people
Tall poppy syndrome = the tendency to criticize successful people
Tee-up = to set up (an appointment) eg. I'll tee-up with my mates to meet for drinks
Trackies or trackie-daks = track suit
True blue = patriotic
Uni = university
Unit = apartment
Up oneself = have a high opinion of oneself
Veg out = relax in front of the TV
Waggin' school = playing truant
Whinge = complain
Throw a Wobbly = go mad

I think I'm done now.

Cheers
TW

"Dob someone in = report somebody for something they did wrong. Hence dobber, a tell-tale."

I wonder if the brits use it the same way, and if that has anything to do with Dobbys name from HP

Adam mentioned togs last night when we were watching the news report about some model that has her own swimline out. Of course the first shot was the "itsy bitsy teensy weensy yellow poka dot bikini"


Now for those that are worried, the following is from Terry Pratchett's take on Oz. Even though The Last Continent "is not a book about Australia. No, it's about somewhere entirely different which happens to be, here and there, a bit...Australian. Still...no worries, right?"

"Er...what's Ecksian for going mad with terrifed fatigue and collapsing in a boneless heap?"
The men looked at one another.
"Isn't that 'snagged as a wombat's tonker'?"
"No, no, no, that's when you chuck a twister, isn't it?" said clancy.
"What? Strewth, no. Chucking a twister's when...when you...yeah, it's when you....yeah it's when your nose....Hang on, that's 'bend a smartie'..."
"Er---" Said Rincewind, clutching his head
"What? 'Bend a smartie' is when your ears get blocked underwater." Clancy looked uncertian and then seemed to reach a decision. "Yeah, that's right!"
"Nah, that's 'gonging like a possum's armpit,' mate."
"Excuse me-" said Rincewind.
"That Ain't right. 'Gonging like a possum's armpit' is when you crack a crusty. When your ears are stuffed like a mudgee's kettle after a week of Fridays, that's 'stuck up like Morgan's mule.' "
"No, You're referring to 'happier than Morgan's mule in a choccy patch'-"
"You mean 'as fast as Morgan's mule after it ate Ma's crow pie.'"
"How fast was that? Exactly?" said Rincewind.
They all stared at him.

Faster'n an eel in a snake pit, mate!" said Clancy. "Don't you understand plain language?"


I Terry Pratchett

^_^

yep, togs = cozzie = bathers = swimmers = swimming costume. All the same thing.

Except for boardies and budgie-snugglers - which are male swimwear of specifc types (refer above lists for full aussie interpretation)

Also, to expand on the dobber thing. Kids will often describe another kid, who is a tale teller, as a a "dibber dobber"

And "scungies" here in Sydney are full underpants (eg not brief or skimpy) you wear under gym gear. The kids often wear them on top of their regular undies.

Cheers
TW

I can't handle all this new info.!

It doesn't compute! I'm about to throw a wobbly over it all!

Attached Image:

no, don't throw a wobbly, chuck a nana or spit the dummy. I'd hate to think our slang left you feeling like a stunned mullet

Relax, have a smoko and veg out - have a bit of a bludge. Grab yourself a tinny from the bottle-o. While your at it, grab one for Ron. Pretty soon, it'll be clear as day and you'll be right as rain. Don't stress, cause she'll be apples

Cheers
TW

Love this thread

I didn't even realise that I used so many aussie slang terms in everyday conversations until I read this. Its now obvious that "aussie" is almost a completely separate language.

If I use any slang in other threads that you just don't understand please let me know & I will try to explain.

GT


Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

I too am enjoying this thread...

I am always spit the dummy, and sometimes I want to spit on the dummy who made me that way.

Got ta thinkn' we also got,

whanto--do you want to?
getcha--you need to get...

at school I hear:

Meeez (or however eees are in it determines the need)=Miss/Ms./Mrs. pretty much going back to Senora (female) in spanish...it really is a compliment...

Eholae (can't spell it)--Yikes, Oh no, that sort of verbage

first time i've gotten a reaction off of this in a while was yesterday, but pan (ounced pon) relating to a woman's hair... not relating to what it means in spanish (bread)

of course the one I get most often from my kids

Vaya con dios...go with God...my kids are bad (or is it really bad?) about hugging me before leaving and telling me this before leaving at the end of the day...Dang if I didn't miss my heathens (bratty/naughty kids) today.

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

We live in a grape growing area with a lot of old German heritage. At the end of the working day a lot of the older folks will say they are going home for a " schluck 'n' a schnitter" ( ounced schlook ) generally a glass of port wine & a metwurst sandwich.

"if you're goin swimmin,watch out for the noahs"

http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

all you need to know.

Lets see... texas ;

allyall (yes, one word)

pol-eece veee-hick-el..

I still say it with a drawl.

But according to my co-workers I've got a textralian accent. Can't get rid of it.

I simply ADORE my Texas accent.....couldn't live without it.

Git 'er done!!!

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Just wanted to throw a few words I use in here.

Being from the southern US, we have some "unique" words. Some of the same ones Melissa uses, we use here as well.

Coke: refers to any soft drink, not just Coca Cola.
Hold Your Horses: be patient (my grandmother used to say that all the time)
Sorry: worthless, no good
Chunk: to toss, to throw (Chunk it across the yard)
Mess: one who carries on, or could be someone thats cute (He's a mess...could refer to a cute baby, child)
All tore up about: very disturbed
Give out: very tired
Ought to: used in place of should (I ought to go home now.)
Raised: reared (I raised him right.)
Running one's mouth: talking too much (She's always running her mouth.)
Turn loose: to let go (Don't turn your fish loose in the creek, now.)
Wore out: tired

I looked some up on the internet, but just posted the ones I use.

And of course we use "ya'll", yonder, and fixin'.

Git-r-done Melissa!

*Kristin*

Yessem....git er done!!!! LOL

how 'bout "fall off the wagon" as in I tried to quit drinkin' but couldn't.

hit the sauce....what happens when you fall off the wagon. hit the sauce=started drinking *whatever*...beer, wine liquor.

I love you Girlie Girl...Your my ace!

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Crazyred, did I miss it or did you forget my favorite Southwestern word: Howdy?

The 10 code as applies to Deputies and Detention Officers:
I'm 10-6 on a 95. - Stop calling me, I'm in the bathroom.
Your 20 for a transfer 21 from your 101? - Your wife is calling. Where should I transfer the call?
All officers channel 2 for a 909. - Go to alternate radio channel to put in your order for a food run.

Officer and Inmate-isms:
Lizard/lizzy-female inmate.
Sally/celly-roommate.
Skin it-swear on your race that you are telling the truth.
Binkey/pinkey/cho-mo/noc/short eyes-child molester.
Chito/cheeto-inmate that is or appears to be homosexual.
Ladmo-sack lunch.
Item-anything bought from the inmate canteen.
Put money on my book-put money in a inmate's account so they can buy items.
Twofer-to borrow canteen items 2 for 1 against your next order/someone who constantly borrows 2 for 1.
Head-inmate in charge of a race of inmates.
Torpedo- the head's enforcer.
Chin checked-to get punched (usually in the face) because you broke a rule, usually done by the torpedo on a head's orders.
Smash/beat down/hit/blanket party-severe beating, happens to cho-mos if they are mistakenly put in GP(general population).
Dolphin party-inmates using their rubber sandals to slap a sally's bare back as a birthday or getting out of jail present.
Fight night-the day canteen orders are delivered. Inevitably, someone's sally borrowed twofer and can't pay so the smash is on.
Mule-to sneak in or someone who sneaks in contraband.
Keaster-where they put the contraband to sneak it in.
Taylor-brand name cigarrette.
Spark-lighter
Sticks-matches
Spark me-let me borrow your lighter.
Stash-a hole dug in the ground where you hide your taylors, spark and sticks.
Barney (Fife)-short officer with a chip on his/her shoulder. Also refered to as being badge heavy.
Podzilla-an very strict officer who enjoys searching. Usually used in refference to a man-ish female officer.
Ninja Turtle-Special Responce Team. They dress in black and wear body armour making them look turtle-ish.
Devastator-officer who enjoys making a mess of inmate's living areas while searching for contraband.
Mega devastator-large pepper spray canister(looks like a fire extinguisher).
Hose down an inmate-use pepper spray on an inmate.
9-18/1-charlie-an inmate who is not all together there mentally.
Huffer-inmate that has or appears to have mental retardation to inhaling paint or other toxins as a means to get high.
Rock/truck-stupid inmate or officer. Usually accompanied by someone saying "beep, beep, beep" simulating a truck's audible back up warning device.
To truck something up-to do something stupid.

" Its now obvious that "aussie" is almost a completely separate language."

And yet hubby mocks me for watching aussie tv shows so I can maybe stop sounding quite so much like an american...

As for scungies, I have a pair, and noooo I wasnt a cheerleader even if we did wear woolen cheerleader skirts ....
Flagline .
I think I was too skinny to be a cheerleader at my school. We wore them in marching band. For those unfamilar with halftime shows, the marching band has to have some sort of color to it and that's the flag line, we're the one with the 8' pole that we spin around very fast and toss in the air (sometimes catching with our forehead .

This one time...in band camp....

Anyway, we call them bloomers, sometimes knickers in the states. Of course we also call the longer kneelenght ones that are fluffy and tied with a ribbon bloomers. But very few people wear them. Only person I know has a pair of long bloomers is my younger sis. But she's just special like that (and no she wouldnt make me a pair ).

^_^

Crazyred, did I miss it or did you forget my favorite Southwestern word: Howdy?

Yep, I did forget, except down here, it's ounced "hidey".

I was going to mention the "10 codes" and how they made their way into Southern speech. In the '60's and '70's CB's or citizen band radios were the rage (waaaay before the cell phone era) and a lot of those 10 codes are now "words"

10-4: Okay
What's your 20? (based on 10-20): where are you?
Roger that or that's a roger: I got it or understood
10-6: busy
10-100: gotta urinate
10-200: gotta poop

One of my ALL time favorite Southernism (maybe used in the north too--not sure) is the statement: "I gotta go see a man about a dog" It means: I need to go to the restroom.

I also like "File 13" code for the garbage can.

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

here in Phoenix we "see a man about a horse" or "check the port-o-john".

While on active duty I did a lot of circular filing. File 13 was were we put classified documents prior to shredding or burning them.

Military-isms:
FUBAR-"Fouled" Up Beyond All Recognition
SNAFU-Situation Normal: All "Fouled" Up
HUYA-Head Up Your "Backside" Not to be confused with Hooya! that can mean yes, I agree, no, what did you say, you've got to be kidding...
Squared away/Ship shape/Dress right dress/ 5 by 5-something organized or performed correctly.
100 mile an hour tape-duct tape. Supposedly, anything taped to your vehicle with this would stick up to 100 miles an hour. I couldn't say; the tired old duece and a halves and 5-tons I drove wouldn't go over 50 miles per hour even down hill.
Echelons above reality-refers to an officer who has lost touch with the common soldier.
Butterbar-a second lieutenant fresh out of the academy. Usually used in reference to one that thinks he knows everything.
Kick it to the curb-get rid of something. This, along with grill (teeth) have been co-opted by the "Gangsta Rap" community making them less cool to use.
LeRP-Long Range Patrol. Also means to go out scrounging, not necessarily legally.
Secret Squirrel-anything classified or anyone with a security clearence.
P38-can opener.
Operator timing and headspace-referes to adjuctments made on a 50 cal. machine gun, but used as an excuse for doing something stupid. "I don't know why PVT Smith filled the diesels with mo-gas. Must be operator timing and headspace."
Mo-gas-regular gasoline.
Wrench-mechanic.
88Mike-truck driver
11Bang-bang-infantryman.
Cannon cocker-artileryman.
Dirt dart-paratrooper.
Speed bumps-infantry as refered to by any mounted, mechanized or air division.

And my favorite saying about the Signal Corps: You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us.

Anyway, we call them bloomers, sometimes knickers in the states.

Knickers here - well that's just another word for undies or reg grundies (underpants) of any sort, where as scungies are a specific type, eg sport or gym undies.

Couple of other sayings I remembered:-

"the lights are on but nobodies home" meaning that whoever you're talking about isn't thinking straight or not using their brain at the moment (probably did or said something silly). Sometimes, it can also mean the person is just plain silly.

"a sausage short of a BBQ" - this one's similar, but means that the person is a bit thick - not all that smart. Similar to saying "he's not the brightest spark"

A lot of the US sayings I'm reading here are either known or used here too (I guess maybe 'cause we have such a lot of US TV here) but others are new to me.

Cheers
TW

Yep, "not the sharpest knife in the drawer" means the same thing.

What I've loved the most about this thread is that when I read the Aussie slang posts I hear an odd mix of Steve Irwin and "Crocodile Dundee" in my head. LOL...

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

not the sharpest knife in the drawer

hahha, now there's an example of one that we know in Aus as well

Cheers
TW

Ummmmm Did ya all hear me describing myself to babel one day?

Attached Image:

I got curious today....Do y'all have the "Outback Steakhouse" chain in Australia? Just wondering....

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

I use "not the sharpest knife in the drawer" quite a lot when refering to my trustees. Some other sayings meaning roughly the same:
Not the sharpest tool in the shed, nail in the bag, tack in the box.
His pull string's broken.
His elevator doesn't quite go all the way up.
He is on auto pilot.
Concentrationally challenged.
Mechanically declined.
Forgot to engage your brain again didn't you?
Not firing on all thrusters (from Star Trek).
Smart as a box of rocks, hammers, nails, bricks, etc.
Low wattage output.
Sharp as a marble. This is my favorite. I've told several inmates this who thought I was complimenting them.

Another word I picked up from the Army is "And?". Not so much the word, but the usage as a reply to someone making up excuses or lying to you. Just stare and reply "And?".
"Blah, blah, blah."
"And?"
"Blah, blah, blah, blah."
"And?"
"Blah-blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!"
"And?"
Done properly, it will make grown men cry. A co-worker now uses it on her kids.

Crazy Red, you took my all time fav;

Git'er done!


Calli, as for "ants in your pants", over here we use that as a term for someone that is very anxious. Usually with children. Something like, "Would you sit still back there? What's the matter with you, you got ants in your pants or something?"

Also, around here, the term "I tell you what", usually goes at the beginning of a sentence. Like, "I'll tell ya what. . . When I heard blah blah blah, I thought I was gonna have to be fit and tied!" And by the way, lol, "I thought I was gonna have to be fit and tied" Refers to going crazy or out of your mind. Meaning to be fit and tied up in a straight jacket.

Hearing the one about the ankle biter, takes me back to many years ago when I was an OTR (Over The Road) truck driver. Ankle biters is what we used to call kids on the CB radio. Not talking kids, just the nickname for kids.

Some truck driver lingo on the CB radio (or "squalk box" as refered to by many);

18 wheeler-semi truck, tractor and trailor (they have a total of 18 wheels on the average)

6 wheeler-straight truck or box truck (they usually have 6 wheels, 2 steering and 4 rear)

All others are many times just refered to by the number of wheels they have for ID purposes.

Rolling parking lot-a car hauling truck, usually with new cars

A chicken Truck-the trucks all decked out, usually more so with lots of lights

Smokey Bear-Highway Patrol

Local Yolkol-city cop

County Mounty-Sherrif or Deputy

Bear in the grass-Highway Patrol hiding somewhere

Plain (insert color of car) wrapper, like plaine brown wrapper-unmarked cop of some kind

The commedian-the center divider on the highway.

Shooting north, south, east, west-the direction the cop is aiming their radar guns

Bubblegum machine-any cop, old term refering to the single rotating light on top of the older type police cars

Disco lights-cops with their lights all turned on and flashing

Taking pictures-a cop is shooting radar

Bird Dog-a radar detector

Feeding the Bears-getting a ticket, or paying a ticket

Beaver or seat cover-females

Hammer down! or Drop(ing) the hammer-fast driving, meaning more to put the pedal on the floor!

A load of pot holes-empty load, as in a pot hole is an empty space.

Back over your donkey-behind you

Back'er down!-stop quickly!

Big Truck-semi truck

Little truck-pickup truck

Pig Pen-most all animal hauling trucks

Flat bed-Flat bed trailer all open.

Tanker-tanker truck that hauls liquid.

A hook-a wrecker or tow type vehicle.

Meat Wagon-ambulance

A flip, or flipping-refers to cops turning around to go the other way

Bear in the air/sky-police plane or helicoptor

Bear Convention-the local donut shop

Breaker-asking for an open channel so that you can be heard. Rarely used anymore though.

Big radio-a radio that has been after marketed over powered

Afterburner-a linear power amp for the CB. Will make it into a Bit Radio.

Bed spring antenna-antenna that has a large or huge coil wrapped around the base, mostly used for the Big Radios

Toys-refers to "toys" placed on the radio. Mostly sounds and such that activate with a switch.

10-4, roger, copy, 42, and others-I heard you well, OK, thanks, etc.

Fender Bender-an accident

Gator tracks-flat tire chunks (usually from a retred) and pieces laying all over the road.

A Big Gator on the road-a full or mostly full single piece of re-tred that has come off of a tire. Retreds are old tires with a new piece of rubber wrapped around them. The new piece being a "retred".

Hammer lane-the inside lane closest to the middle, which is supposed to be for faster vehicles.

The slow lane-the furthest lane to the outside.

Chicken house/coupe-weigh station

Big word is out-meaning chicken house is closed (closed being the bigger word than open) and being "out" as in meaning like to hang a shingle with a sign on it.

Little word is out-you guessed it, meaning open (as in open is the littler word than closed)

Momma-usually refering to a wife or girl friend. As in, "After I deliver this load, I'm headin home to momma for a few days."

Pappa-meaning the same as above but for lady truck drivers

Fast mover-any fast vehicle

han-refers to handle or your nickname. Used when unknown what your nickname is. As in maybe a quick thank you for a cop report from someone heading the other direction, "Apreciate that han"

Keep the sunny side up-refers to keeping your vehicle in the upwards and correct way, be careful, and don't wreck.

Blew/blowing my doors off-a loud/powerful radio, like starting your car and forgetting you left the radio turned all the way up. Also refers to very fast vehicles that went by your very quickly.

Talk back-refers to a CB feature that allows you to hear your own voice over the CB's speaker

"Audio"-when you hear it repeated, or just as a single word, it is someone testing/setting the controls of their CB to the way they prefer it. Using the talk back feature, they can hear what they will sound like to others. Is used to mean not to respond back to the talker when you hear it.

Got your ears on?-asking if someone you are wanting to talk has their radio on.

Soft side-refering to trailers that have the pull up and down sides. Fairly new to the truck driving industry.

Refer-a refridgerated trailer

Tractor-the main part of the semi truck. The actual truck and not the trailor

Bob Tail-to be just the tractor without a trailer.

In the wind-to get going

Lot lizard-prostitute

Choke and puke-an old restaurant

Turn out-meaning to unload and re-load at the same place

Pickle park-a rest stop on the highway. (explaination not rated G)

Cab over-tractor that has no front nose sticking out, is flat down the entire front of the truck, and engine is under the driver and between the driver and the passanger

Conventional-tractor that has a big front end. Opposite of the cab over above

A stinger-a way to make your truck go faster and have more power. Is done in the fuel pump line

Toy shop/store-CB repair/sales store

Back door-behind you

Front door-ahead of you

Rolling your door-meaning traveling the same direction as you, but ahead of you. As in, "You got a cop rolling your door about 2 miles ahead of you."

Barefoot-an unmodified radio

Big Mack-A Mack truck (brand)

K Whopper-Kenworth truck (brand)

Peter Car-Peterbuilt truck (brand)

Freight Shaker-Freightliner truck (brand)

Eagle-International truck (brand)

Rig-talking about either the truck, or the CB radio

Come back?-meaning to repeat yourself, I could not hear you for some reason the first time.

Wall to wall-meaning everywhere. The bears are "wall to wall" up ahead of you. Meaning too many to count and all over the place.

10-36 is asking for the time.

Super Slab-Federal highways, not state highways.

Walked on/all over you, or stepped on/all over you-means someone talked over you with a stronger/closer radio and I did not hear you. Usually gets a repeated resonse back.

Got an eyeball?-Do you see it/him/her/etc.

A dragonfly rig-A truck that goes slow up the hills and fast down the other side; Drags up, and flys down, a dragonfly truck.

Rolling refinery-a tanker truck hauling gas or fuel

A parking lot-a traffic jam, especially those causing the traffic to come to a standstill.

Clean and green-meaning there is not cops in front of you the direction you are going

Highball or Highballing-to drive all the way to your destination non-stop and as fast as possible. As in, "I'm highballing it down to Dallas!"

Green Stamps-money, as in "better get your green stamps ready for that toll road ahead"

Horizontal Engineering-to sleep, or to go lie down

And yet there are many more I can't remember right now.


The following are nicknames for major cities in the US;
The Big Dirty-Clevenland, OH
The Dirty Side-New York City, NY
The Big Rubber-Akron, OH
The Blue Chip, or the Queen City-Cincinnati, OH
Bean Town-Boston, Mass
Circle City-Indianapolis, IN
K town-Knoxville, TN
Beer City-Milwaukee, WI
Watergate-Washington DC
Superdome City-New Orleans LA
Motor City-Detroit, MI
Hot Town-Atlanta, GA
Guitar town-Nashville, TN

Some state nick names;
Bikini State-Florida
Country State-Tennesse
Buckeye state-Ohio
Hillbilly state-Kentucky

As well, there are many more I can't remember here right now either, lol


_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

Do y'all have the "Outback Steakhouse" chain in Australia? Just wondering

Is this them http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com.au/menu/body_menuglutenfree.htm another link http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com.au/home.htm

Cheers
TW

Did ya all hear me describing myself to babel one day?

Yep, I think I did.

Interesting thread this. I've decided that we have a lot of sayings that are common to us all or so similar to ones we use, they are really are the same or at least mean they need no translation, cause we can figure it out

eg ACIDRAIN's "Come back" = our "come again"

Can't remember how Calli used "ants in your pants", but my meaning of it is the same as ACIDRAIN's. There were many others, where the US slang was so familiar (blame or thank TV & movies)

And yet there are others that are completely new to me.

EDIT: Just used another 2 today, I'd forgotten:-

Cool Bananas (just an extension of saying cool)

Drat - the 2nd one has just flown right out of my head (I guess the lights are on but no-one's home). It will dawn on me later & I'll update then.

EDIT 2: Remember now.

Behind the 8 ball. Means that you really at a disadvantage in the situation.

Cheers
TW

I think there was some confusion... Calla used the term "ant's pants," meaning something really great. I compared to the term "bee's knees," which is a similar term my mom uses at times. "It's the ant's pants!" or "It's the bee's knees!"

On the other hand, having "ants in one's pants" generally refers to someone who can't sit still/squirms. "Do you have ants in your pants? Sit still!"

Trying to think of Chicago terms... The living room is sometimes referred to as the "frontroom" (often ounced "frunchroom" ). It's not a term I've ever used, but I've heard it a few times.

As for Chicago itself... "Chitown" and "the Chi" ("Chi" ounced as "shy" ). "Chicagoland" refers to Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area, which actually can be considered to extend into Indiana. Thus, I live in "Chicagoland" 'cause y'all ain't gonna recognize where the heck I live if I told you "Des Plaines."

ACIDRAIN... do you know what Illinois/Chicago are called? My grandfather used to drive... I have a list around here somewhere of his CB terms, but I think you've pretty much covered everything I had.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

For Chicago, I have heard it called Chi town (ounced shy). But we always called it "The Windy" on the CB.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

"ant's pants," meaning something really great. I compared to the term "bee's knees"

Yep, I've heard both of those sayings used here describing something that is really great.

And "ants in your pants" is as you and ACIDRAIN say and refers to someone who is fidgety, can't keep still.



Cheers
TW

Acid, your post reminds me very much of some of my friends' favorite movie, Smokey and the Bandit. I've watched it at least twice with them this semester!

><>

Smokey and the bandit, I love all of them. And have them all on DVD, lol. Got a lot of those old trucker movies on DVD. I grew up watching those trucker shows, like "BJ and the Bear", and "Movin' On". And my favorite Christmas movie is "Christmas comes to Willow Creek", a true trucker tale.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

no outback steakhouse thank goodness.

denver Wrote:
no outback steakhouse thank goodness.

Seems we do. I'd never even heard of Outback Steakhouse before now, but a google search found 2 here 2 here in Sydney. One of them in Strathfield - not that far from me really. I guess from your comment Denver, that I shouldn't bother rushing over & trying it out.
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com.au/locator/index.html.

Cheers
TW

Outback isn't that bad...no worse than Olive Garden etc. They do have really yummy Cream of Onion soup though!


I loved "Back over your donkey-behind you" Acidrain!!

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Looks like the Aussie version of the Outback Steakhouse chain over here. Weird, I figure any steak house in Oz would be an 'outback' steakhouse. LOL


ACID-Didn't mean to steal "Git-er-done" I'm a "Blue Collar Comedy Tour addict. LOL Your truckin lingo post took me straight down memory lane. My dad was in a CB club in the '70's and I remember going on road trips and listening to all the truckers talk. LOL We always talked to them and helped them spot smokeys. We all even had CB handles...my dad was "Rabbi", my mom was "Yellow Rose", and I was "Pollywog". Guess that's a nod to the fact that I was like 4 or 5 years old at the time. Ahhh, memories!!!

---

~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Weird, I figure any steak house in Oz would be an 'outback' steakhouse. LOL

Maybe true to say that about "downunder" but not "outback" When something is "outback" it's way out bush, in the sticks, out the back of Burke, out Timbucktoo - sorry more sayings for somewhere out whoop whoop (you get the picture).

So a steakhouse in a city (eg Sydney) wouldn't be in the "outback" - just a gymmicky name IMO.

Cheers
TW

Robyn :

Overpriced for what you get. Pretty much a steakhouse with Australian decor and australian sounding dishes. Nothing on the menu you'd find in an actual australian steakhouse.

Hey Denver - that's pretty much what I'd figured. With a gymmicky name comes gymmicky good I guess.

Cheers
TW

There's one just up the road from me. Some friends have been telling us we should go because the food is nice but mainly because of the imported beer. Since I'm not a beer drinker, I'm not that excited about the whole thing. It always looks like its got plenty of customers of an evening.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

When I was in the US my friends took me to one of the Outback Steakhouse theme restaruants.

a. I am Australian. I would prefer NOT to experience a piece of home whilst travelling. That is why I travel. To experience other things.

b. The restaruant is not authentic. Just gimmicky. No harm in a bit of fun though.

c. I do not eat meat.

So it was quite a funny thing to do really.
But they were keen to go. And I am happy to go to friends fave local places.

Friends in Hong Kong took me out the night I landed. Not for Cantonese cuisine but their favourite Mexican restaurant.

Man, it's catching.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

wish-ga That's really funny.

Callatya

Since I'm not a beer drinker, I'm not that excited about the whole thing

Me too - not a beer drinker either, that is. Pretty funny for a nation that's meant to full on beer drinkers.

Cheers
TW

i wasn't one either...

my poor husband would have a difficult time - he's gluten intolerant. Which beer has