Words, Words, Words
I just spent a couple of weeks in Australia, a “Commonwealth realm” of Britain. Knowing that close relationship, I was not surprised to hear many typical British words used in Australia.
[Reminder: Be careful if you go there because Australians also drive on the left side of the roadway and walk on the left side of a sidewalk. 😉]
- Hikes are measured by the “huff and puff meter” [how difficult the hike might be]
- A driver’s comment: “That yellow light is a bit late” [explaining why he ran a red light]
- Trash is called “rubbish.” [That may explain why we have the expression, “That’s a load of rubbish.” 😊]
- Our “exit” is called the “way out”
- To “yield” is to “give way”
- On an airplane, what we call the overhead “bin” where carry-ons are stored is called the overhead “locker.”
- On an airplane or ferry, “Please take your designated seat” becomes “Please take your allocated seat.”
- One of my nephews who has lived in Australia for a couple of years told me that almost everything and everyone has an “ie” added to the word. [For example, what Americans would call a subcontractor, or a sub, is called a “subbie” in Australia.]
- Chardonnay wine is called a “chardy”
- Almost all sandwiches (all?) are served on toasted bread. So, a cheese and ham sandwich is a “cheese and ham toastie.”
- And breakfast is called a “brekky.”
Fun, eh?
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