Australia has a reputation for its unique take on spoken English. Now a South Australian book club is offering new arrivals a crash course in strine.
The sayings' eccentricities are explained, then participants have the chance to practice using phrases like 'fair dinkum', 'ear bashing' and 'gobsmacked'.
Researchers say language confusion can lead to social stigma and it's hoped that better understanding of Australian slang will boost self-confidence.
"A misunderstanding can lead to scenarios where people don't know how to ask for help, or are too frightened to ask for help," Angela Scarino, Director of the Languages and Cultures Centre at UniSA told SBS.
And it's not just slang.
Even professionals trained overseas in fields such as nursing may understand clinical English perfectly, but can be left puzzled by a patient's request for everyday items such as slippers.
'It's not just a matter of embarrassment and misunderstanding; it's a matter of how people perceive you as an expert," Dr Jonathan Crichton, lecturer in Applied Linguistics at UniSA said.
"Because if your language appears to be in some way deficient, that reflects on your expertise and potentially others' interpretation of your capacity to do your job".
Iranian born Nahid actually taught English, but even she had trouble with a common Australian phrase.
"My friend and I went to the coffee shop and she said to me that 'it's on my shout'. I said what do you mean? I didn't know that," she said.
AUSTRALIAN EXPRESSIONS as taught by the Penguin Book Club in Adelaide.
|
Ankle biters |
Small child |
|
She'll be apples |
It will be ok |
|
Bingle |
An accident, usually a car accident |
|
Spit the dummy |
Get upset about something |
|
Ear bashing |
Talking too much |
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Gobsmacked |
Surprised |
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Thanks heaps |
Thank you very much |
|
Mates rates |
Cheaper than usual for a friend |
|
No drama, no worries |
Not a problem |
|
Rock up |
To arrive |
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Ropeable |
Very angry |
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Shoot through |
Leave |
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Tee up |
Set up an appointment |
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Tinny |
Very lucky, or a can of beer |
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Catch ya later |
Goodbye, see you again |
|
Drop dead gorgeous |
Very lovely |
|
Crash on the bed |
Have a rest |
|
Fair dinkum |
Genuine, true |
|
Haven't got a brass razoo |
Has no money |
|
Bring a plate |
Take food to a gathering |
Other common phrases
'My shout' – to pay for another's food or drink
'Kick the bucket' – to die
'Bewdy' – excellent
'A good sport' – a kind or generous person
'Have a blue' – to argue
'Barbie' - barbecue
'A chop short of a barbie, kangaroos loose in the top paddock, not the full quid' – lacking intelligence
'Fair shake of the sauce bottle' – equal opportunity
