I've become aware that our use of the english language, Aussie style, is sometimes disconcerting to those who are not Australian, have never lived here, or know of our unique way with words.
On more than one occasion I've had to explain to moderators just what a particular word means or that the use of a particular word,- here in Oz, - is not derogatory or "bad". On the contrary, we here in Oz speak plainly and sometimes bluntly. But.... that is how we are. Never any intent to insult or offend others. Just our everyday, common language.
One example is the word; bugger. It's a word used in such context as;
Oh bugger off! = Get lost
I'm buggared = I'm tired
Bugger that! = No way!
Just to quote a few.
Since part of each persons purpose on planet earth is to help educate others, I hope this brief lesson in Australian language, serves to enlighten others who are unaware of our unique language, and might serve as encouragement for further personal research for knowledge and understanding of same. :)
My fellow Aussies, please feel free to add to the list! Let's educate and hopefully, remove any misunderstandings and potential for offence being taken by others here on allnurses. We're a unique mob here in Oz, and we need to help others come to know more of our ways! Including how we speak! :)
im aussie too and i agree with you our language is unique even between the states here...................... i am from adelaide the capital city of south australia...............city of churches as they call us;)
LOL, there used to be an Aussie nurse working in our ER and I always loved to get report from her. One time when I asked her how it was going down there she said she was mucking around ------(can't for the life of me remember the word but I think it meant looking) for a bed.
I had an Aussie friend in college (from Canberra) who went about six shades of red when she heard me use the word "fanny." Here, it is a very polite word for one's bum. A word I would use around my grandma. I learned that it means something, um, very different in the land of Oz.
The first time I had someone speaking UK English asked me for a rubber I was quite bewildered, because 1) she was a girl; 2) she was doing her homework; and 3) she was not one to use American slang. Took a few rounds of conversation to figure out she wanted an eraser, and I told her what asking for a rubber will get you here in the USA, lol.
The first time I had someone speaking UK English asked me for a rubber I was quite bewildered, because 1) she was a girl; 2) she was doing her homework; and 3) she was not one to use American slang. Took a few rounds of conversation to figure out she wanted an eraser, and I told her what asking for a rubber will get you here in the USA, lol.
Does rubber mean eraser in Oz?
Yup! And if I went out in my thongs, it'd be my "flip-flops" as you onamatopoeic Americans call them.
On another note, did saying "cactus" in relation to a patient (that one's cactus, after that motorbike accident) come from Aussie or US origins?
Yup! And if I went out in my thongs, it'd be my "flip-flops" as you onamatopoeic Americans call them.
On another note, did saying "cactus" in relation to a patient (that one's cactus, after that motorbike accident) come from Aussie or US origins?
I love Aussie & NZ slang! But I sure wouldn't brag about my new thongs, that's for sure! Quite different meaning here.
Most of my recent exposure to it is from the limited edition LOTR DVDs with the behind the scenes stuff....Pete Jackson's language is quite amusing to me. Back to the original topic....
I have never heard 'cactus' used in relation to a pt. Could you use it in a sentence?? Not saying we don't use it here but surely not where I am (I'm in North Carolina -- SE United States).
vrhodes
36 Posts
Cooee can also be used to say something is very far away, eg ''The pub is not within cooee of my work'''.