Kiwi slang

[Bermy Girl]

Ah well...very intriguing I suppose...was it through experience or just general chit chat with a mate...hmmmmm... I did say I had a lot of friends in NZ...just didn't say how close I maybe was to one of them... No, really, it was just a mate who said it to me one night when a bunch of us were out and it just made me holler...right??? WG and MB for bringing it up again!

[Glenda]

Originally Posted by bstar

I made the mistake of saying that I was having a root (I was looking for my wallet in my bag).....there was a lot of sniggers in the room.... very embarassing...

Having spent a lot of time gardening recently, that is one word that just keeps slipping out.

Have no idea what Kiwis call roots, if not 'roots'.

[bstar]

That is a really good point Glenda....I am going to find this one out!!!

[Ace]

Here's another one for the list:

Wheelie bin -- outside trash container used for weekly pickups

A number of terms on the list above (which is fabulous!) are also common in the US (like "take a hike", "pissed off", etc). Are the terms perhaps ones that are not used in the UK? If so, it makes me wonder if there are terms common to the UK and NZ that might be unknown to Americans....

I would love to see a list of American slang terms that aren't known by most Kiwis. I've run into blank stares or laughter a few times, but I often have no idea what I said wrong....

[MotherBear]

Originally Posted by Ace

Wheelie bin -- outside trash container used for weekly pickups

That's also a UK favourite.

I read the slang list and often think there are some that sound American and others that definately sound British, so I guess there's a mix of both in that list.

I did once see a list of kiwi expressions for Americans. At least you could tick those off as being unlikely to be commonly shared. I wonder where I saw it.

[KiwiHopeful]

Apparently, 'boo boo' isn't in the Kiwi lexicon, as my toddler son discovered at day care.

Honestly, the slang doesn't trip me up as much as the day-to-day vocabulary that is different. For example, insurance 'excess' rather than 'deductible'.

[hmmmnz]

ive got a few :D

rugrat = small child
wee 'un = small child (funnily enough, its very similar to the glasgow's ween for child)
the naki = taranaki (new plymouth area)
rotovegas - rotorua
the tron = hamilton
raups = taupo
pants = trousers (not underwear)
undies = underwear
sarny = sandwich
jandles = thongs, flip flops, cheap rubber foot wear
singlet = vest ( a kiwi specialty, preferably in black)
barter bullets = a pair of sneakers with Velcro straps in place of laces
stubbies = a pair of very short shorts with a single pocket on the front..( to be worn with a singlet and jandles)
huck or huckmole = very ugly or unattractive woman
godzone/ gods own = something from new zealand
varsity = university (also the same in the uk)
chilly bin = polystyrene cooler box
lollies = sweets
ice block = ice lollie, frozen juice on a stick :D

thats all i can think of now, i won't include all the swearing :D

[KiwiHopeful]

I feel like putting together a 'devil's dictionary' of Kiwi expressions and their American translations ... what would that look like ....


House--shack

Car park--a kind of slow-motion demolition derby

'She'll be alright'--No, she won't

'I'll get back to you'--No, you won't

'I'll take care of it'--See 'I'll get back to you'

Bin--trash can

Voice mail--see 'bin'

Work--a type of social club featuring free coffee

Drink driving--similar to American baseball, as it's the national pastime

Whacking--see 'drink driving'

Library--a place to rent movies; similar to 'work' but without free coffee

Sausage--similar to the American hotdog, but with the bun inside the casing

Tomato sauce--ketchup

Ketchup--catsup

Tomato puree-tomato sauce

Bolognaise--spaghetti sauce

Tahmahto--tomato

Pahtahto--similar to Boston's podada

Boston buns--unlike anything you will find in Boston

[selchie]

KH, Ambrose Bierce would be proud!

[kiaora!!]

when I first met my partner and he told me that he "felt stink" i was like???? hm what the hell does that mean??? I had never heard anyone say that before, mind you though that was my first weekend in nz!

so I guess that's another slang word..

- and I did find out what it means!