Coley Down Under: Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi

I am continuously shocked and intrigued by the ability of Aussies to find a nickname for everything. Mostly, you take a word and add “ie” or “y” on the end. But, it doesn’t stop there. My theory is that it’s the Aussies hope to try to stay forever young. Never take anything too seriously. No worries. If you think something is serious, give it a nickname. No one can be too afraid of anything with a nickname, right?

Plus, it may also be a test for all of us coming here. Can you handle us? If not, we don’t need you. If you can, welcome and have a fair go. The verdict is still out on which side we are leaning. This will probably be helped once holiday is over and we can actually get internet and people who call us back. Then again they may never care to call us back. Other things to do, you know?

Here is my short list of words and their Aussie equivalent. First of all, you cannot enunciate any of these words. It’s like they make a game of talking without really moving their lips. This goes against everything my mother ever taught me and makes it very difficult for me since I constantly hear her saying “enunciate" or "articulate!"

Enjoy and use frequently if you need to put a smile on someone’s face! (Hint: The “s” is usually pronounced like the American “z” so “ozzy” not “ossie”, get it?)

Australian = Aussie

Mosquito = Mozzie

BBQ = Barbie (not pronounced like the doll, Aussies will laugh at you if you do this)

Sausage = Snag

Man = Bloke

Woman = Sheila

Coffee drink = Cuppa

Food = Tucker

Pickup/Utility truck = Ute

School Children = Schoolies

Kindergarten = Kindie

Soldiers = Diggers

Firefighter = Firey

Politician = Polly

Sunglasses = Sunnies

Lipstick = Lippy

Teapot/Kettle = Billy

Hello = G’day

Breakfast = Brekky

Afternoon = Arvo

Ambulance Driver = Ambo

Kid swimmer = Nipper

Riptides = Rips or rippers

McDonald’s = Macca’s (they actually use this name in their ads)

Cans of Soda = Tinnies

Cooler = Esky

Qualifier Rounds = Qualies (in tennis)

Press Conference = Presser

Blue Cattle Dog = Bluey

Bluebottle jellyfish = Bluey

Red Head = Bluey (of course)

Wild horse = Brumby

Sydney resident = Sydneysider

Melbourne resident = Melburnian

Queensland resident= Queenslander

The rest of Australia = the Bush

Tasmania = Tassie

New Zealander = Kiwi

American = Yank or Tank

British = Pom or Pommy

I’m pretty sure that when they notice I’m American they purposely try to confuse me with their language usage. This obviously is my personal experience and more research is needed but the more I get to know Aussie humor the more this seems the case.

We’ve also had three different occasions where we were sitting rather close to another couple in a restaurant. When they noticed our accent they started talking rather negatively about America. I’m not sure if they wanted us to engage, thought they were being funny, or it was just a coincidence but I’m leaning toward they thought it was funny and wanted us to engage. Since Sean’s personal motto is, “don’t get involved” we did not entertain them.

Random pics o’ the day:

Bali Bombing Memorial at Coogee Beach. 202 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Bali in 2002. 88 were Australians and they included 20 people from Coogee and six members of the local rugby team, the Coogee Dolphins.