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Australian Vs. North American- Translation Help no.1

dsc00900-1.JPGOne of the fun things of Travel is learning the local lingo. Australia has innumerable terms that are as unique in the world as their very own Platypus. I’ll try and provide as many helpful translations as I can to help the Aussies heading to America and Canada as well as those of you heading Down Under. All you Aussies heading overseas… a Serviette is called a NAPKIN! This is just the first in a series of these Translation Guides to come! Feel free to add a few of your own in the comments section.

    Australian = North American Translation

  • Westie = Trailer trash (he he he)
  • Soda = Soda water or club soda (don’t ask for soda or diet soda thinking you will get Coke or Pepsi- I’ve made this mistake a couple of times)
  • Arvo = Afternoon
  • Snags = Sausages
  • Big W = Wal-Mart

  • David Jones/Myer = Macy’s
  • Woolworth’s (Woolies) = A grocery chain store
  • Tomato Sauce = Ketchup
  • Spag Boll = Spaghetti with meat sauce
  • Cordial = A non-alcoholic sweet drink, usually drunk diluted with water.
  • Scones = Biscuits- the fluffy kind like from Bisquick- but you eat them with jam or cream
  • Biscuits = Cookies (mostly sometimes = crackers)
  • Chips = French Fries (sometimes)
  • Crisps = Potato Chips
  • Capsicum = Bell Pepper
  • Cot = Crib (A small bed that a baby sleeps in)
  • Chemist = Drugstore (where you can get makeup)
  • Jelly = Jell-O
  • Bogan = Hick…not so Bright, a little backwards
  • Shop = Store
  • Lemonade = 7-Up (kind of- actually has some lemon in it)
  • Lollies = Candy but not chocolate
  • Boot = Trunk (of car)
  • Cider here is always alcoholic, ask for apple juice if you want the non-alcoholic variety.
  • Do not use the word “fanny” in Australia, it does not mean what you think it means.
  • Conversely, bastard and bugger are not rude words here.


Guide #2
Guide #3