The town's appearance wasn't the only thing that had transformed; the residents seemed different too. Or perhaps, I had. I didn't see this as problematic. It's quite natural that living overseas would make me feel disconnected from the locals. My mates and family members often found my speech difficult to follow.
People constantly asking me to repeat myself amused me quite a bit. Many would insist I should abandon my Australian accent because I was back in the States. Listen, I was speaking English. The same as everyone else there.
It made me consider whether it was sensible to switch back to American pronunciation just to get the same complaints when I returned to Australia? For me, it seemed pointless to strain my brain switching between the two English variations, so I'd stick with Australian expressions.
Scarcely a day went by without someone saying, "Sorry, but I haven't got a clue what you mean?" But what if the roles were reversed? What if my mates were holidaying in Australia? Which phrases would be their biggest sources of confusion?
A heads-up for everyone planning a trip to Australia. Do NOT greet any Australian by saying "G'day mate. Wanna throw another shrimp on the barbie?" You will be swiftly asked to leave the country. Similarly, steer clear of the word root. Unless you're keen for an engaging discussion to unfold.
1. "How ya going?"
If you're coming from the US, this is the same as "How are you?". While Australians won't bat an eye if you say "How are you," they typically respond more warmly to "how are you going."I regularly used "how are you going" when I was still in the US and copped plenty of strange looks and queries about this phrase.
2. "TA."
Australians abbreviate everything! I really can't overstate this. "TA" is a perfect example of this habit. Rather than saying "thank you" after a purchase or receiving assistance, just say "TA."
3. "She'll be right."
This is an alternative way to express "don't stress about it" or "everything will be fine." If it feels too unusual for your taste, just say "no worries."
4. "Good on ya mate."
Saying this phrase is equivalent to saying "brilliant work" or "great effort." 5. "It's my shout."
6. "Yeah, nah" or "nah, yeah."
7. "I'm knackered."
You're completely worn out. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't find the energy to keep pushing. A rest and a sleep are what you need before your next escapade. 8. "Not feeling too crash hot."
9. "Having a laugh at something."
The term piss carries roughly twenty different meanings throughout Australia based on context and usage. When you're joking about something, you're having a laugh at it. 10. "What's the/your neighbourhood pub?"
Bonus Phrase: "A few tinnies short of a slab" or "a kangaroo loose in the paddock." I genuinely adore these expressions. They're akin to "a few fries short of a happy meal" or "not the sharpest tool in the shed." They both put a grin on my face whenever I come across them. Please, everyone, start using these!
There are plenty of other local slang terms worth picking up before heading to Australia, particularly if you're travelling from the United States. Follow Adventures in Aussieland to stay in the loop and ensure you're well prepared for your Australian adventure. Have you been to this marvellous country before? Which words and phrases did you find most puzzling? Drop your thoughts in the comments section.
Until we meet again...
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