Australian word of the Non-specified time period: Ripper

Ripper is a fun adjective to describe something good.

"He's a ripper of a fellow."

or

"That was a ripper of a match."

You can slo use "cracker" for the same reason.

"I think we'll see a cracker of a game tonight."

Or, to put it new and awesome current events...

"The Eels played a cracker of a match after they pasted the Tigers 38-8. Whoo!"

Go the Eels, go the Eels,

Alan

Australian Word of the non specified time period: Oi

Time for a quick post/ The wod is Oi.

Oi is used when you want to get someone's attention.

"Oi, John!" or "Oi, mate!"

Its a fun little word. Practice saying it quick and loud, and you'll sound just like Aussies do, if only for half a second.

Oh, and its pronounced oy, as in oyster. There you go.

Australian Word of the Non Specified Time Period: Heaps

You may have noticed that "heaps" has crept into my vocabulary here on the blog. Thats because "heaps" is...well, heaps good.

Basically, it means "very". I've heard, "Thats heaps good," or "That heaps awesome."

It can also mean a lot. "He got heaps of chips."

Its a simple word, so not a lot of length to this post. I'll probably be using this word when I get home as well, possible in some sort of fun Australian combination like this:

"That bloke over there is heaps dodgey."

Alan

Australian Word of the Non Specified Time Period: Bloke/Wanker

Ok, first some house keeping measures.

The post on Vegemite is coming. I bought some over the weekend. Some people are in shock over this, but whatever. I am determined to like Vegemite, and I'm going to do it. You watch.

Second, the post on touch footy is coming....sometime. It would be this week, but they cancelled our games this week due to rain. I could write about my experience but it would boil down to "I ran around was confused". You, the devoted reader, deserve better than that.

(I do this for you, you know)

Anyway, bloke...and wanker.

Bloke seems like it might be a good name to call somebody. "Hey, you bloke!" But, its not really like that. Its more or less a term for "guy." In fact, when responding to another minister resigning from John Howard's cabinet, one of the opposition leaders said of Howard, "He's the bloke thats supposed to be in charge over there."

The Prime Minister...a bloke! Fantastic!

While bloke isn't a derogoratory term, its not exactly a compliment either, as you can see from that example. But, thumbing through my NRL preview magazine I ran across the phrase "the young blokes have to step up" and "its up to the older blokes"
So, think of it more as "guys"

If you want to go for an insult, I suggest "wanker". This isn't an insult on the biggest level. After all, I'm posting it here and on my blogs I tend to keep it G-rated.

Its more of a light hearted insult, really. Racking my knowlege if American English, we can use any swear kind of light hearted. I can think of many instances in which I've thrown around insults with friends of fairly high severity where we all laughed.

Good times.

For your friends its fairly light hearted.

"Haha, you wanker, you ran into me!"

You can also use it for people you don't know, though not to their face.

"That wanker is kind of dodgy."

And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Australian Word of the Non-specified Time Period: Mate

THis time, the word isn't just Australian. Sure, we use it America as well, but not like they do down under. Its time to discuss the word "mate."

Mate can be used to describe your friends.

Me and my mates went down to the Lighty for a few drinks.

It can be used as a common greeting.

Hey, mate!

Here's the best part: you don't have to know the person to call them mate. The cashier at Checkers...mate, the cab driver...mate, the person sitting next to you on the bus...mate. Think of it as a friendlier version of "you". Instead of, "You there, could you pass me that book?" You would say, "Hey mate, could you pass me that book?"

You don't know the person, but feel free to call them mate. This also means if there's someone you don't even like, you can call them mate.

In fact, the Lonely Planet guide to Australia says to not go unless you're willing to call everyone mate, regardless of you knowing them or even liking them.

When I return to the states, I'll probably be using mate for awhile, but considering no one else uses it, it may fade from my vocabulary after awhile. But, I'll do my best to keep it around as long as possible.

Cheers,

Alan

Australian Word of the Non-specified Time Period: Dodgey

I would make this a daily post, but I'd probably run out of words. A weekly post maybe, but just in case I forget, here's introducing the Australian Word of the Non-specified Time Period.

The word of the...um, day is "Dodgey".

Dodgey is a fantastic word that can encompass everything from something that's not working right...

The dryer is being a bit dodgey.

...to suspicious persons...

That bloke outside of A block looks a bit dodgey.

...to even the weather.

Whats with this dodgey weather? It was supposed to be sunny today!

Dodgey is, by far, my favorite word thus far down here. In fact, I'm using it right now to describe my inability to log into my e-mail. The Internet is being dodgey!

Right now there is approximatley a 100% chance I will be using dodgey when I return home. To which you might have to say something like

"Alan says dodgey so much, he's becoming a bit dodgey himself."

How I amuse myself.

Dodgely,

Alan

Thongs

First off, if you're on Facebook, and don't join this group, I'm going to be sad.

Students Against Alan Hoffmann Being Eaten By Kangaroos.

It might be an SIUC only group, but the concern is appreciated.

So, here's your first bit of Australian slang: thongs. While down here I've been asked why I don't wear them, have heard people be advised not to wear them to a party, and have seen more of them then I ever thought possible.

Of course, I'm talking about sandals.

Considering its a balmy 30 degrees outside today, and is likely to be in the high 20s to low 30s for awhile (think Celsius, people!) I decided to buck with my normal anti-sandal ways and buy a pair. They were cheap (12 bucks) and are fairly comfortable. I put them on half way through my walk back to the Ressies and was amazed at how nice it felt.

Of course, this bit of terminology is still a bit weird to me, leading to this quasi-awkward (for me) conversation with the woman at the register.

Her: So, whats your mailing code?
Me: (thinking, thinking pulls out wallet to look) Sorry, I'm an international student, I forgot it.
Her: No worries.
Me: 2507.
Her: Where you from?
Me: The states.
Her: Is this your first pair of thongs?
Me: (trying not to giggle, because I'm obviously 12 years old) Yeah.

Then it was off to the grocery store for some supplies, including Peach Tea. I haven't seen this in the States, but I haven't looked for it either. Its basically what it sounds like, tea with peach flavoring. I had this on the airplane, and I think it changed my life.

I feel like you need to know these things.

Other notes...

~I have class three days a week. This is what is known as awesome.

~Have not heard back from the rugby club, but have from the Ultimate Frisbee team. Going to throw with them tomorrow.

~Rugby jersies are just as expensive as anyother sports jersey. An Eels one goes for about $120. I've decided to become an Eels supporter because, lets face it, that nickname is awesome. I bought an Eels polo, in which I look quite dashing.

Cheers!

Alan