Lost in Translation

As with any country, there are often words that you use that are more common to your country. Slang terms are often an obvious difference, easy to recognise as words that probably won't be known, but there are words that we use so often that we (you, me, us) forget they're slang terms, or that because everyone in our country knows them, we forget that other people might not.

So, here's a list I've compiled of words that I've said that have confused people. Of course not ALL Australian's use these words, not ALL American's don't know what they mean... and different States often use different words (for example Pop vs. Soda vs. Coke) and I've also been told I'm a little weird with some words/pronunciations I use... but regardless, this list is based on my experience (so far) with saying things that confuse people. 

Whether it's simply be the accent making it sound weird (most likely :-P which is why there are some pronunciation examples) or not, it's interesting sometimes trying to make my brain think of a synonym. Maybe this will help some fellow Aussies with their translations :D 

I've listed in alphabetical order by Aussie word (which is first in the list) to make life easier (for me at least :P) and the words that follow are alternate words that I've been told to use here in the US. There may be more variations and some words have no equivalent so I put a definition instead. Enjoy!!

Words

Aquaplane, Hydroplane

Asphalt, Black Top

Beef Mince, Beef Chuck

Bin, Trashcan, Garbage

Biscuits, Cookies

Bogan - this one is hard to define! Wiki definition here: Wikipedia: Bogan

Bolognaise Sauce, Marinara Sauce

Bonnet, Hood

Boot, Trunk

Bugger, Shit, Crap :P

Bulldog clip, Binder clip

Capsicum, Bell Pepper

Chicken Breast, White Meat

Chicken Thigh, Dark Meat

Chips (fish & chips), Fries

Chips (like Lays), Potato chips

Chook, Chicken (chook is a slang term in Australia for chicken)
Chrissy, Christmas (just another shortening)
Cordial - A water additive like Crystal light but a concentrated liquid instead of powder

Cutlery, Flatware, Silverware

Dinner, Supper

Entree (in terms of a 3 course meal), Main (An entree in the US means a main meal so it's a large portion!)

Footpath, Sidewalk
Fortnight, 2 weeks, Bi-weekly, Semi-monthly

G-string, Thong
Gas, LPG

Greasy (as in dirty look), Stink Eye

Gumboots, Rain Boots, Galoshes

Hand Trolley, Dolley

Icing Sugar, Confectioners Sugar, Powdered Sugar

Icy Poles, Popsicles

Jam Doughnut, Jelly Donut

Jelly, Jello
Jumper, Sweater

King Single, Extra Long Single (7cms skinnier than a King Single)

Light Globe, Light Bulb

Lollies, Candy

Lollypops, Suckers

Maccas, Micky D’s

Mandarine, Mandarine Orange

Manual, Stick-Shift

Marinara Sauce, Seafood Sauce

Nutters, Crazy

Petrol, Gas

Pram, Stroller

Prang, Accident
Pressies, Presents

Ride-on mower, Tractor

Ring, Call

Rocked Up, Arrived

Scones, Biscuits

Serviette, Napkin

Shat (as in "that shat me"), Annoyed

Sherbert (wizz fizz) - Here "sherbert" is a frozen fruit puree. They don't have wizz fizz which is basically icing sugar and citric acid (I made it in school a few times :D)

Shut, Closed

Slice (as in Vanilla Slice), Bar

Softdrink, Pop, Soda, Coke

Solicitor, Attorney (a solicitor in the US is a door-to-door salesman)

Stationery, Office supplies (Stationery can refer to monogrammed items)

Thongs, Flip-Flops
Tomato sauce, Ketchup

Torch, Flashlight (torch in the US means Tiki Torch)

Trolley (shopping), Cart

Truck, Semi, Tractor Trailer

Ute, Truck, Pick-up

Whinge, Whine

Windscreen, Windshield

-------------------------------------

Pronunciation

Advertisment = advert-iss-ment, advertise-ment

Aluminium =  alu-min-ium, alu-min-um (also spelt without the second "i" in the US)

Anti = ant-eye, ant-ee (this is apparently a "me" different some Aussies told me)

Audi = ow-di, aw-di

Coupe = coo-pay, coop

Mazda = maz-duh, mahz-duh

Nissan = niss-ahn, niece-ahn

Schedule = shed-dual, sked-dual (possibly a "me" difference)

Tomato = tom-ar-to, tom-ate-o

Z = zed, zee (possibly a "me" difference)

**Note: I'll add to this for any others I find, or please leave a comment if you would like a definition :D

Memorial Day Holiday

As you'd expect, there are some "new" holidays here in the US that us Aussie's aren't used to celebrating.. like Thanksgiving (you'd be surprised how often I get asked whether we eat turkey in Australia on Thanksgiving as well), Halloween, 4th July... and this weekend, Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is like ANZAC day in that this is a day to honour all American soliders that have died in wars. We get a long weekend (yay three-day holiday), there will be memorial occasions, and like the 4th July a lot of people decorate their houses, yards, vehicles, and selves with American flags. They're having BBQ's (called "grilling" in some areas) and serving food on American flag themed plates, drinking from American flag cups, and wiping their faces with American flag serviettes (napkins).

That's actually one of the other things I like about Memorial Day... the fact that you can find American themed items EVERYWHERE.

Every now and then when I meet someone new they talk about how awesome Australia is (aww thanks guys!) and how they'd love a souvenir... I assume one day when I return to Aus people will ask me for American souvenirs (which of course I take to mean an American flag printed on something, or my state name or something) SO this is a great time to stock up :)

As I mentioned before, I'm not talking JUST flags that you wave around. You can find the flag on just about anything. I'm planning on stocking up on some "supplies" so that mum can take some stuff home when she visits, or to include in packages I send home (not that I have for a while... but the thought counts right?).

That's the thing about Americans, they're REALLY patriotic and if you were ever in any doubt that you were in America it won't take long to remember because you'll drive past a flag 5 minutes later. That's not a bad thing of course, just an observation :) Husband wants to put a flag pole in our yard. Has the spot picked out and everything and once we find the size/style he wants, and we find the flag to go with it, up it'll go. Part of me thinks there should be an Aussie flag up there as well but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it :)

26 May 2012 - Memorial Day

**Edit: Here's a picture I took May 26, 2012 

What's Bugging Me...?

... I don't know!! I've been told these little moth looking bugs are called Mayflies or Shad flies... neither example matches the bug (I'll see if I can get a clear picture)... and I'm sure it doesn't surprise you that googling "little brown flying insect" or any variations like that isn't really helping!

Here's a few pictures:

Bug pic from the top

Another bug pic from top.. you can see the wings better

They are these little bugs that are a bit like gnats in that they fly all over the place and into your hair and mouth. Thanks to these little lovelies I was able to find out I walk with my mouth slightly open... fixed that habit!

Time of day doesn't seem to be an issue and in this heat (84F/29C) and humidity they're out and about, especially around the sidewalks/footpaths where they're the most annoying. Weirdly I see them a few blocks around where I work, but not around my house, or around other areas of the city I work in...

Just yesterday I was thinking how they appeared to have all gone... turns out I spoke too soon. As I was driving home from work and sitting at the traffic lights, as soon as the cars took off there were huge swarms coming up from around the vehicles. Were they on the ground? The vehicles? No idea.. but there are LOTS. They're so small that it's hard to get a good picture of a swarm of them but if I can I will :)

If anyone knows what they're called I would love to know!!

**Edit - Thanks to BugGuide.net I was able to determine that it's a Caddisfly but there are a few different kinds and I'm waiting to see WHAT kind it is :) Handy little site for those interested in these kinds of things like I am.

Intro

So rather than just jumping right in with my first post, I thought I should do a little intro/disclaimer type deal :)

I'm a 28 y/o Aussie living in small town Iowa, USA. I've been living in the US now for over 2 1/2 years so sometimes I'll use Aussie words, sometimes I'll use American words, sometimes I'll use both and sometimes I won't know which is which :P. I'll try where I remember to do conversions or translations but I'm also going to be doing a "translations" page at some stage... hopefully if I see a word I know is one way or the other (or someone points it out) I will link to that page with the definition so you can see a whole heap all at once :)

The funny thing about living in the US for "so long" (as it feels now) is that while I still identify as Australian (accent and all!) and miss my family back home, there have been occasions when talking to family where I've just naturally assumed whatever item I'm talking about, or word I'm using is Australian.. and it turns out it's not. There's a lot of changes that can happen in a country in almost 3 years so if I'm wrong about something PLEASE let me know (nicely is my preference of course :P).. it'll be good to see how much I've changed :)

I'm going to try and keep this light-hearted comparisons or new experiences, but it might evolve over time to include some advice pages for Aussie expats (such as my experiences with building credit or something like that)... we'll see what happens!

Mostly though, I feel like it's about time I publish some things I've been thinking about for a while, if for no other reason than to stop saying the same stories over and over :) And also to give some of my friends/family back home a more localised area to read about my life here.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy reading!