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| New chilly bin for our road trip! |
The funny variations in language have been one of the most interesting and entertaining cultural differences of living in New Zealand. Here are just a few of the many examples:
They say = We say
jandals = sandals (from 'Japanese sandals' - Australians call them 'thongs')
chilly bin = portable cooler (Australians call it an 'eski')
chuffed = happy as in "I'm chuffed"
tea = dinner/supper as in "what's for tea?"
fizzy drink = pop/soda
Maccas = McDonalds
lolly = candy (cough drops are called "throat lollies" or "throaties")
cruizer = lazy/relaxing "Today's been a really cruizer day"
gumboots = rubber boots
'how you going?' = 'how are you doing?' or 'how's it going?'
you's/ya's = you all
fortnight = every other week
pomes/pommies = Brits (according to my flatmates there are two reasons for this 1. pomegranate - Brits turn pink in the sun over here 2. Prisoner Of Mother England)
roster = work schedule
whinge = a huge whine or complaint, ryhmes with 'hinge'
bickies = cookies
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| Maori, the other official language of NZ, is seen everywhere |
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| "No lavalavas in the pokies" = "No wearing sarongs while playing the slots" |
gutted = bummed, disappointed
chocka = chock-a-block, full, overflowing
cracker = very good
good on ya = nice work, congrats
across the ditch = Australia
she'll be right = it will be ok
stuffed = exhausted
suss = figure it out "don't worry, we'll suss it out"
togs = bathing suit
ute = small pickup truck
reckon = think, as in "what do you reckon?"
munted = broken, our physio's motto is "you munt it we mend it"
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