Chuck a Sickie... and other Aussie Thingos

As it turns out, I learned that the book I'm reading is one of the best books by one of the most popular authors in Australia.  I mentioned it to my boss the other day, and he was giving me some insights into what the setting and culture is like in the area where the novel takes place.  As I read, I'm running into words I don't know (like "windcheater" which is actually pronounced windchitter, but when I tried to repeat after Damian I'm pretty sure I said windshitter.  After which I couldn't stop laughing long enough to get it right).

It's coincidental that I picked up this book recently.  At the end of October, our school hosts a "Global Village" day where each of the schools will be focusing on a different country.

The Early Childhood Center is Germany.

The Elementary is The Philippines.

The Middle School is Malaysia.

And the High School is Australia.

In my planning and research for Global Village, I've had many conversations with a teacher who is Indian, but grew up in several different places, including Australia.  She sent me some great activity ideas for the day, and also sent me a list of Australian slang vocab.   I enjoyed reading it and talking about it further with her.   Check out the list below--it's really interesting, and makes a lot of sense as I look back at my conversations with my boss.  He does say some of these words from time to time. Although, if I tried to incorporate them into my vocabulary, I'd end up saying something like wind-shitter.

Arvo = afternoon

Barbie = BBQ

Bathers = Swimming Suit

Beaut = beautiful, (eg: if looking at a car you might say, “Isn’t she a beauty!”)

Bikkie = biscuit

Bloke = a guy

Bogged = stuck in mud (like a vehicle stuck in sand or mud)

Brekkie = breakfast

Bush = the outback, not city area

Cark it = cease functioning, it’s dead

Chewie = chewing gum

Chockie = chocolate

Chook = chicken

Chrissie = Christmas

Chuck a sickie / Sickie = have (or having) a day off because you’re sick

Cockie = Cockatoo (bird)

Digger = a soldier

Dinkum / Fair Dinkum = true, genuine, real

Dob = tell on someone

Dobber = a person who dobs

Down Under = Australia and New Zealand

Dunny = outside toilet (or sometimes just for any toilet)

Fair go = give someone a fair chance

Footy = Australian Football

G’day = hello

Good onya = Well done, good on you

Heaps = a lot (eg: thanks heaps)

Lollies = sweets, candies

Maccas = McDonalds

Mate = a friend, buddy

No worries / No drama = an answer to an apology meaning no problem

Outback = interior of Australia

Plate (Bring a Plate) = means to bring a food dish to an event like BBQ or picnic

Prezzy = present, gift

Ripper = great, fantastic (What a ripper!)

Roo = Kangaroo

Road Train = big truck that travels across Australia

Rock up = to turn up, to arrive

Salvos = The salvation army

Sheila = women

She’ll be right = It’ll turn out alright (eg: She’ll be right mate)

Sook = a person who is soft, weepy (eg: if someone is crying we would say, “Don’t be a sook” but meaning sarcastically)

Sunnies – sunglasses

Tea = supper, dinner

Thingo : Wadjamacallit, thingummy, whatsit

Truckie : truck driver

True blue : patriotic

Tucker : food

Ugg boots : Australian sheepskin boots worn by surfers since at least the 1960s to keep warm while out of the water. Also worn by airmen during WW1 and WW2 because of the need to maintain warmth in non-pressurized planes at high altitudes.

Ugh : ugly. hence Ugg boots

Uni : university

Ute : utility vehicle, pickup truck

Vedgies : vegetables

Veg out : relax in front of the TV (like a vegetable)

Waggin' school : playing truant

Walkabout : a walk in the Outback by Aborigines that lasts for an indefinite amount of time

Walkabout, it's gone : it's lost, can't be found

Whinge : complain

Woop Woop : invented name for any small unimportant town - "he lives in Woop Woop"

Wuss : coward; nervous person or animal

Yakka : work (noun)

Yewy : u-turn in traffic ("chuck a yewy at the next traffic lights")