Say What?

Sometimes English words adapt differently to specific locales.

Here’s some fun examples encountered and their interpretation (as we would know it).

  • heaps lots
  • reckon think
  • bits / parts (truck bits / truck parts)
  • rubbish tip / garbage dump
  • rubbish bin / trash can
  • rubbish sack / garbage bag
  • scrummy / scrumptous
  • spot on / right on
  • tippy truck / dump truck
  • motor camp / RV park
  • sunnies / sunglasses
  • jumper / sweater
  • panel beater / auto body repairman
  • torch / flashlight
  • flannel / wash cloth
  • singlet / sleeveless/tank top
  • UTE / SUV (sport utility vehicle)
  • lorries / trucks
  • mossies / mosquitoes
  • surrounds / area/suburbs/neighborhood
  • bucketing / raining heavily
  • rellies / relatives
  • pressies / presents
  • change down / gear down
  • shift / move
  • tip / pour
  • roundabout / traffic circle
  • ablution block / public showers/washrooms
  • blow wave / hair styling service
  • news agent / newspaper shop/stand
  • chat show / talk show
  • milk bar / corner store
  • lay-by / lay-away
  • rug up / bundle up
  • peckish / slightly hungry
  • laundrette / laundromat
  • sister / nurse
  • blacktop/bitumen / pavement
  • viros / donair
  • let / rent
  • petrol / gasoline
  • LPG / propane
  • Woolies / Woolworth’s
  • ginger-nuts / gingersnaps
  • biscuits / cookies
  • ginger hair / redhead
  • wholemeal / whole wheat
  • crisps / potato chips
  • crook / ill
  • take away / take out (food)
  • punnet / pint box (berries)
  • courgette / zucchini
  • capsicum / peppers
  • swimming costume / bathing suit
  • bathe / swim
  • mob / crowd
  • tower block / high-rise building
  • flyover / overpass
  • fellows / guys
  • football pitch / soccer field
  • sticky plaster / bandage
  • ring (verb) / phone
  • row / argue/argument
  • washing-up liquid / dish soap
  • washing powder / laundry soap
  • motorway / highway
  • loo / washroom