Re: RARA-AVIS: Aussie slang? OT

From: Karin Montin ( kmontin@sympatico.ca)
Date: 15 Jan 2008


I've twice suggested having an Australian and a Canadian month and there seemed to be some enthusiasm for the idea, but we never actually got around to it. Maybe "someone" could organize that now?

Karin

At 09:53 AM 15/01/2008 -0500, scatalogic (Colin) wrote:

>We British were deluged with Aussie slang thanks to Mr Reg Grundie and his
>soaps, which became required tea time watching for teenagers whilest I was a
>lad. Neighbours, original home of the lovely Kylie Minogue, was the big one but
> Home and Away, original home of the lovely Danni Minogue, was the better
>slang primer. Assaults on the pop charts and pantomime followed for many of the
>stars of these soaps.
>
>I loved the sound of it and a lot of has passed into common usage in Britain
>- I'm sure Uni for University originated in this way. Home and Away featured
>a characted called Alf Stewart, the most planly spoken of Summer Bay's
>residents. You've already had Hoons explained, hooligan, lout, etc. Look out for
>galaa (sic?) an idiot (please correct me Aus natives!) which I believe comes
>from a bird that is perceived to be foolish and one of Alf's favourites, "I
>wouldn't give a brass razoo (sic?)", some kind of worthless or fake currency
>I'd guess. Home and Away also featured one of my favourite ever lines on TV:
>"Shut up Tug, or I'll tell them how you got your nickname."
>
>To become slightly on topic, Prisoner Cell Block H, a woman's prison drama
>also made the long haul from the south to British screens. Unfairly
>characterised as having poorly made sets, which wobbled - absolute critical bollocks
>(hoons the lot of 'em), it was a fine programme (for its time and limitations);
>pretty damn gritty and not afraid to tackle some serious issues at times.
>
>Sorry, that's all very off topic, but I do like Aussies (cricket and rugby
>fields apart).
>
>I've never read a single Australian noir or hardboiled, shamefully, but some
>Australian films are cracking, again, it's off HB (although is fairly noir)
>and thus topic, so apologies, but I'd recommend Don's Party to anyone,
>brilliant!
>
>Is there much in the way of Australian crime fiction? Where should one
>start?
>
>Join my Church: www.myspace.com/thereverendspadgedooley



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