Ozzie in Oregon
Separated by a common languageWords, phrases and expressionsLast updated: August 24, 2011 (PDT) |
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Separated by a common languageWords, phrases and expressionsLast updated: August 24, 2011 (PDT) |
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From the word go, I was prepared to go to the "bathroom" instead of the "toilet". In fact, as soon as I arrived at LA I went to the airport restroom to check that the toilet bowls were full of water, just like in the movies!
But since then I have been continually tripped up by the simplest of words and expressions, and after more than four years I am still coming across new ones. For instance, I learnt, er, learned the other day that men's "braces" are called "suspenders" (sounds so intimate!), and today I find out that "suspenders" are called "garters"! Who'd have thought? (Or is it "Who knew?" these days?)
At a restaurant, the waiter, er, server would ask me, "Are you done?" Well, I could never say "I'm done", as my husband would. Instead I'd say, "I've finished." And my husband would think it sounded so final!
Some turns of phrase come out of left field, and I have realised, er, realized that baseball is responsible for a few of them. After all, it's a whole new ballgame from cricket. It has goose eggs instead of ducks!
I'd already heard of ballpark figures, and even figures that weren't in the ballpark. And playing by the book. And getting to first base. But getting to second base? Gad, what happens when a boy gets to third base? Should I have locked up my daughter instead? I thought he was only touching bases with her and she was playing the field!
See this Wikipedia page for more baseball idioms that have taken a place in common speech.
The following words are used so often that they have crept into my everyday speech.
| Oz word | American version |
| petrol | gas |
| mobile phone | cell phone |
| shop | store |
| lollies | candy |
| biscuits | cookies |
| xx (degrees Centigrade) | yy (degrees Fahrenheit) |
| ring someone (up) | call someone |
| post (a letter, in the ...) | mail (a letter, in the ...) |
| postman, postie | mailman |
Below is a translation of just a few of the common words and phrases I've encountered. See the following sites for much more comprehensive lists:
I know this is a huge topic, so I have broken it up into smaller tables for each category.
Greetings
Around the house and yard
Food, cooking in the kitchen and eating out
In the car and on the road
Out and about, directions and shopping
Sports and entertainment
Clothing and hair
Animals, insects and plants
Time, quantity, in the office and on paper
Tools and construction
Miscellaneous
Aussie slang is another language altogether, and is not covered here except incidentally as I find an American equivalent of my own vernacular. See the following site for a more comprehensive list:
If you need an Aussie translation of American slang, check out this site. (Warning: some of the words and phrases are a bit risqué...):
"Ta" is not used for thanks.
"Ta-ta!" is not used for "bye-bye!"
"M-bye" is a common way to end a conversation on a cell phone.
| Oz phrase | American version |
| Hi! G'day! Hello! | Hey! Hi! |
| How are you going? | How are you doing? |
| Pardon? What? | Say what? |
| That'll be all, thanks | That should do it |
| I've finished | I'm done |
| Good on you! Well done! | Good job! |
| You're ready to go, Bob's your uncle | You're good to go, You're done |
| It was nice talking to/chatting with you | It was nice visiting with you |
| No worries! | You're welcome! |
| I'm off! | I'm outta here! |
| Same to you | You too |
| See ya! (Hooroo! Ta-ta! Cheerio!) | Bye! (See you in a bit!) |
An attic is the space between the ceiling and the roof. As Amercian roofs are closed in with wood which is covered
with shingles, tar strips, etc, attics are weatherproof, and are often used to store things such as camping gear, items
no longer in general use, etc.
| Oz phrase | American version |
| lounge room | living room |
| kitchen bench, benchtop | kitchen counter, counter |
| bedside table | nightstand |
| double bed | full bed |
| bedhead | headboard |
| wardrobe (built-in) | closet |
| wardrobe (free-standing) | armoire |
| chest of drawers | dresser |
| dressing table, duchess | vanity table |
| linen press | linen closet |
| pillowslip | pillowcase |
| doona, continental quilt | comforter |
| electric blanket | heated mattress pad (an electric blanket is really a blanket!!!) |
| curtains | drapes |
| ensuite | master bath |
| toilet (room with toilet and hand basin) | half bathroom |
| toilet, loo (go to the ......) | bathroom |
| bath | bathtub |
| washbasin, vanity basin | sink |
| tap | faucet |
| jug | pitcher |
| power point | electrical outlet |
| power board | power strip |
| light globe | light bulb |
| skirting board | base board |
| cornice | crown molding |
| Gladwrap | plastic wrap |
| teatowel | dish towel |
| wash up, do the washing up | do the dishes |
| washing up liquid | dish soap, dishwashing liquid |
| do the washing | do the laundry |
| washing powder | laundry soap |
| clothes peg | clothes pins |
| esky | cooler |
| wet and dry vacuum cleaner | shop vac |
| stubby cooler | beer cozy |
| grog cabinet | liquor cabinet |
| wireless, radio | radio |
| telly, TV | TV |
| bag (paper) | sack (hence the term "sack lunch") |
| tissue | Kleenex |
| cotton bud | Q-Tip |
| methylated spirits | rubbing alcohol |
| rubbish, rubbish bin | garbage, trash, garbage can, trash can |
| torch | flashlight |
| hessian | burlap |
| pot plant | potted plant |
| barbie | barbecue, BBQ |
| have a (shower, bath, look) | take a (shower, etc) |
| go for a (walk, stroll) | take a (walk, etc) |
| mow the lawn | cut the grass |
| whipper snipper | weed whacker |
| workshop (as part of the garage) | shop |
| garage sale | garage sale, yard sale, estate sale |
Half and half (pronounced "haff and haff") is half milk and half cream.
A shallot (pronounced 'SHALL-OT) looks like a small brown onion or large clove of garlic, and has a mild onion
flavor.
| Oz phrase | American version |
| tuna | tunafish |
| crayfish | lobster |
| mince | ground beef, hamburger |
| frankfurt | frankfurter, wiener |
| hamburger (fast food) | burger |
| pie (meat) | pot pie |
| capsicum | bell pepper |
| chili, chilli | pepper, chili pepper |
| chili con carne | chili |
| brown onion | yellow onion (and all onions are big over here!) |
| spring onion, scallion | green onion |
| coriander | cilantro |
| swede turnip | rutabaga |
| pumpkin | squash |
| beetroot | beet |
| choko | chayote |
| rockmelon, cantaloupe | cantaloupe |
| kiwifruit | kiwi |
| stonefruit | fruit with a pit |
| punnet (of strawberries) | box, basket (if made of cardboard) |
| sultana | raisin |
| hundreds and thousands | sprinkles |
| cornflour | corn starch |
| bicarb soda, bicarbonate of soda | baking soda |
| golden syrup | cane syrup |
| treacle | molasses |
| jam | jelly |
| jelly | Jell-O |
| icy pole, ice block | popsicle |
| lollies, sweets | candy |
| chocolate bar | candy bar |
| slice | bar cookie |
| biscuit | cookie (sweet), cracker (savoury) |
| scone (often eaten with jam) | biscuit (often eaten with gravy, but jam would be good too) |
| a sweet baked item, like a cake but more solid, usually triangular | scone |
| crust (end slice of bread) | heel |
| chip (deep-fried potato) | French fries, fries |
| tomato sauce | ketchup (slightly spicier and sweeter) |
| gherkin | dill pickle |
| blue vein cheese | blue cheese |
| fairy floss | cotton candy |
| dagwood dog | corn dog |
| porridge, rolled oats | oatmeal |
| muesli | granola |
| Rice Bubbles | Rice Krispies |
| lemon squash (carbonated) | lemonade (not carbonated) |
| white coffee | coffee with cream |
| milk (for coffee) | creamer |
| full cream milk | whole milk |
| soft drink | soda, pop, soda pop |
| lemonade (soft drink) | Sprite, 7-Up |
| sarsaparilla | root beer (different taste) |
| thickshake | milkshake |
| spider (e.g. coke) | loat (e.g. root beer) |
| sweet liqueur | cordial |
| cordial (liquid concentrate) | Kool-Aid (powder concentrate) |
| grog | liquor |
| shout (someone a drink, meal, etc), my shout | treat, my treat |
| morning tea, afternoon tea, smoko | coffee/tea break |
| tea (evening meal) | dinner |
| bring a plate | potluck |
| cutlery | silverware (cutlery refers to knives) |
| serviette | napkin |
| entree | appetizer |
| main course | entree (confusing in restaurants!) |
| take-away | take-out, to go |
| Maccas, Golden Arches | McDonalds |
| Hungry Jacks | Burger King (equivalent) |
|
Have you finished? (or circumspect check to see that cutlery is placed on the plate in the standard way to indicate that the customer has finished eating) |
Are you done? (there is no standard way of leaving the silverware, although the fork is commonly placed on the right at an angle) |
| The bill, thanks | Check please |
When giving directions, "Forward" is used instead of "Straight ahead" and "Back up" instead of "Reverse".
| Oz phrase | American version |
| bonnet | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| bumper bar | bumper (hence bumper cars at the fair) |
| mudguard | fender |
| tow bar | trailer hitch |
| aerial (radio) | antenna |
| windscreen | windshield |
| indicators, blinkers | turn signals |
| high-beam | brights |
| manual (transmission) | stick shift |
| gearstick | shift lever |
| accelerator | gas pedal |
| handbrake | parking brake |
| number plate | license plate |
| traffic light | stop light |
| amber (traffic light) | yellow |
| footpath, pavement | sidewalk |
| bitumen | asphalt, pavement |
| sealed (road) | paved |
| freeway | turnpike (east coast) |
| pedestrian crossing, zebra crossing | crosswalk |
| railway | railroad |
| sleeper | railroad tie |
| cyclist | bicyclist |
| overtake | pass |
| lookout | view point |
| give someone a lift | give someone a ride |
| car park | parking lot, parking garage |
| park (place where you parked your car) | parking space |
| petrol station, service station, servo, garage | gas station |
| petrol bowser, petrol pump | gas pump |
| Give Way | Yield |
| No Through Road | Dead End |
| No Overtaking | No Passing |
| chuck a U-ey (U-ie) | make a U-turn |
| ute, utility | pickup, pickup truck |
| 4WD | SUV |
| semi trailer | semi, 18-wheeler |
| caravan | trailer, 5th wheel |
| motor home | RV |
| taxi | cab |
| Beetle (VW) | Bug |
| Kombi van (VW) | Microbus |
| Fill 'er up! | Fill it! |
| Don't flatten the battery! | Don't run down the battery! |
| Darn it, the battery is flat! | Dang it, the battery is dead! |
There are no newsagents over here. Instead, their many services are provided by delivery routes by newspaper corporations, vending machines on street corners, cigar stores, grocery and convenience stores, card stores, book stores, office supply stores, and magazine subscriptions delivered by mail.
| Oz phrase | American version |
| diagonally opposite | kittycorner, kitty-corner, kattycorner, catercorner |
| anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
| queue | line |
| push in (queue) | cut, cut in (line) |
| queue-jumper | line-cutter |
| return (ticket) | round trip |
| reverse charge (telephone call) | collect |
| chemist | pharmacy, drug store, pharmacist |
| tablets | pills, medications |
| script | prescription |
| bottle shop | liquor store |
| opportunity shop, op shop | thrift store |
| St. Vinnies | Saint Vincent de Paul |
| lay-by | lay-away |
| supermarket, shop | store |
| trolley | cart |
| fruit and veg | produce |
| scales | scale |
| tin, tin can | can |
| manchester | linen |
| voucher | coupon |
| docket | receipt |
| checkout, checkout counter, register | checkstand |
| checkout operator | grocery clerk |
| Oz phrase | American version |
| oval | sports field |
| match | game |
| nil, nought (score) | nothing, zip |
| duck (cricket) | goose egg (baseball) |
| barrack (for a team) | root |
| hockey | field hockey |
| ice hockey | hockey |
| lifesaver | lifeguard |
| freestyle (swimming stroke) | Australian crawl |
| bushwalking | hiking |
| track | trail |
| sandpit | sandbox |
| merry-go-round | carousel |
| slippery slide, slippery dip | slide? |
| see-saw | teeter-totter |
| monkey bars, climbing frame | jungle gym |
| skipping rope | jump rope |
| doll's house | doll house |
| show (agricultural) | fair |
| sideshow alley | midway |
| dodgem cars | bumper cars |
| busker | street musician |
| flautist | flutist |
| poker machines, pokies | slot machines, slots |
| cinema | movie theater |
| food and drink counter | concession stand |
| holiday | vacation |
| pack (of cards) | deck |
| patience | solitaire |
| noughts and crosses | tic-tac-toe |
| draughts | checkers |
| shanghai | slingshot |
| ad (TV) | commercial |
| Oz phrase | American version |
| beanie | stocking cap |
| balaclava | ski mask |
| zip | zipper |
| long pinafore | jumper (worn over blouse) |
| jumper | sweater |
| tracksuit top | sweatshirt |
| tracksuit pants, trackie dackies | sweatpants |
| tracksuit | sweats |
| vest | waistcoat |
| skivvy | turtle neck sweater |
| singlet | tank top |
| dressing gown | bathrobe |
| braces | suspenders (what a man wears to keep his pants up) |
| suspenders, suspender belt | garters, garter belt (what a woman wears to keep her stocking up) |
| togs, cossie, bathers, swimmers, swimming costume | swimsuit |
| jocks, underdacks (men) | shorts (in the style of boxer shorts or briefs) |
| undies, underpants, underdacks (women) | panties |
| G-string | thong |
| thongs | flip-flops |
| court shoe | pump |
| gym boots, joggers, runners | sneakers, tennis shoes |
| gumboots | rubber boots |
| handbag | purse |
| bum bag | fanny pack |
| nappy | diaper |
| dummy | pacifier, binky |
| throw up (babies) | spit up |
| fringe | bangs |
| plait (verb and noun) | braid |
| Oz phrase | American version |
| Friesian (breed of cow) | Holstein |
| puss, pussy, pussycat | kitty |
| bitser (bits of this, bits of that) | mongrel (dog of mixed breed) |
| chook | chicken |
| budgerigar, budgie | parakeet |
| insect | bug |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| slater (woodlouse) | potato bug, pill bug |
| antlion (larva) | doodlebug |
| mozzie | mosquito |
| silk tree | mimosa |
Pencils over here are usually yellow with a rubber tip.
Pads of paper are yellow too. Try to find a white one!
| Oz phrase | American version |
| quarter past | quarter after |
| quarter to | quarter till |
| arvo | afternoon |
| fortnight | two weeks |
| Sunday week, etc | a week from Sunday |
| autumn | fall |
| one quarter | one fourth |
| biro | ballpoint pen |
| HB pencil | number 2 pencil |
| clutch pencil, pacer | mechanical pencil |
| rubber | eraser |
| paper knife | letter opener |
| sticky tape, Durex | Scotch tape |
| guillotine | paper cutter |
| drawing pin | thumbtack |
| full stop | period |
| exclamation mark | exclamation point |
| brackets | parentheses |
| curly brackets | braces |
| inverted commas | quotation marks, quotes |
| tick (a box on a form) | check |
| hash sign, number sign (#) | pound sign |
| lb (abbreviation for pound) | lb, # |
| scrap paper (to write on) | scratch paper |
| A4 (standard paper size) | letter |
| foolscap (longer size) | legal |
| note (currency) | bill |
| cheque account | checking account |
| rates (taxes) | property tax |
| Christian name | first name |
| surname | last name, family name |
| postcode | zip code |
| write to (someone) | write |
| Oz phrase | American version |
| spanner | wrench |
| shifting spanner | crescent wrench |
| multi-grips | adjustable pliers |
| Allen key | Allen wrench, hex key |
| tomahawk | hatchet |
| secateurs | pruning shears |
| handcart (for lifting large boxes, furniture, etc) | hand truck |
| allotment, block of land | lot |
| flat, unit | apartment |
| ground floor | first floor |
| first floor, etc | second floor, etc |
| lift | elevator |
| display home | model home |
| weatherboard | clapboard |
| besser brick | cinder block |
| Gyprock, plasterboard | drywall, gypsum board |
| renovate | remodel |
| Oz phrase | American version |
| mate | buddy |
| bloke | guy |
| partner (usually unmarried of the opposite sex) | significant other, main squeeze |
| flatmate | roommate |
| acclimatised | acclimated |
| whinge | whine |
| cross (angry) | mad |
| bludger | freeloader |
| stirrer | troublemaker |
| stickybeak | busybody |
| seeing (in view of the fact) | beings |
| shortly | momentarily |
| gobsmacked | flabbergasted |
| grotty | dirty, unkempt, messy |
| look like a grot | look dirty, unkempt, messy |
| chatty | worn, dog-eared, weathered |
| fussy | picky |
| Li-Lo (camping equipment) | air mattress, air bed |
| half mast (flag) | half staff |
| in good nick | in good condition |
| pinch, nick | steal |
| gaol, nick | jail |
| pigs, fuzz (slightly derogatory) | cops |
| chuck a wobbly | throw a fit |
| chuck a sickie | take a sick day |
| dodgy | shady, dubious |
| dobber | tattletale |
| exy (expensive) | spendy |
| feel crook (unwell) | feel sick |
| casualty (hospital) | ER, Emergency Room |
| theatre (hospital) | OR, Operating Room |
| electorate | district (congressional) |
| shire | county |
| rubbish tip, tip | garbage dump, dump |
| door to door salesman | solicitor |
| solicitor | attorney |
| real estate agent | realtor |
| bond (rental) | deposit |
| pram | baby carriage |
| creche | nursery |
| primary school | elementary school, grade school |
| university, uni | college |
| pupil free day | student release day |
| mark | grade |
| Incy Wincy Spider | Itsy Bitsy Spider |
| janitor | custodian |
| turn up (at an event or party) | show up |
| visitors (guests) | company |
| chat with, have a yarn with | visit with |
| street party | block party |
| pay rise (increase in pay) | raise |
| get sacked | get fired |
| take a (redundancy) package, be made redundant, get retrenched | get laid off |
| heaps (of things) | loads |
| out in the bush | out in the woods |
| bushfire | wildfire |
| cotton reel | spool of thread |
| splinter | sliver |
| goose pimples | goosebumps |
| piece of cake (easy) | cakewalk |
| behind | in back of |
| fiddle with | fool with |
| cactus (non-functional) | gone south |
| sick of, sick and tired of | tired of |
| time and time again | time and again |
| suit (someone) down to the ground | suit (someone) perfectly |
| take the mickey out of (someone, something) | make fun of, tease |
| Whoopee-doo! | Whooptee-doo! |
I stopped adding to this page after my 5th year here as I wanted to show the major words you are likely to encounter in your first year here. Otherwise, this page would go on and on and on, and you would feel like you'd never be able to learn it all .....
If you've read this far, then you're probably an Ozzie who is feeling rather frustrated with all the new vocab you have to learn over here. Take a break and enjoy this Ozwords competition, where one letter of an Ozzie word is changed and a humorous definition supplied. You've probably seen it before, but you'll still get a good laugh out of a few of them. I particularly enjoyed "bludgie", the poor cat and the one about your mate's stuff strewn all over the floor of your flat.
