Say It in Kiwi and Aussie

With thanks to super guides Christie Leung (Kiwi) and Grant Hyde (Aussie)

During my recent holiday (American version: vacation) in Australia and New Zealand, I collected Aussie and Kiwi words and phrases that might stump an American traveler—or entertain them as they did our party!

 In New Zealand, a Kiwi Is a Fruit. And a Bird. And a Person.

In America, our kiwis are fuzzy brown on the outside, luscious green on the inside, and drippingly juicy when ripe. In New Zealand they are often green but can also be a lovely reddish color inside. And diners call them kiwifruit. It’s a big distinction. 

The compound word is their way of distinguishing the fruit from the endemic kiwi bird, which is also brown on the outside, but instead of fuzz, it has feathers. The kiwi is a ground-bound, flightless nocturnal bird that scruffs about in the dark with its long, curved beak for bugs and other edible items on the forest floor.

New Zealanders identify with their native flightless bird and call themselves Kiwis—with a capital K. The nickname Kiwi became popular for New Zealand soldiers during WWI and stuck. Some New Zealanders call themselves “N-Zedders,” but Kiwi seems to be the more prevalent. (As with any nickname, ask before using.)

It is my observation that New Zealanders calling themselves Kiwis is somewhat ironic. Why? Most Kiwis I met were charming, gregarious people who welcomed us with open arms, a good story, and a gin and tonic. The kiwi bird, however, is a solitary grump who intensely dislikes others and hangs out in its burrow until darkness falls or hunger forces it out. Still, you can only find kiwi birds in New Zealand, and the folks there embrace everyone, so why not embrace the name of the grumpy bird?

On the Menu

Only in commercials do Aussies cook “shrimp on the barbie.” They are more likely to slap a few prawns on the grill, and they might even cook up a few “bugs.” Contrary to American bugs/insects, Aussie bugs are crustaceans that sort of look like clawless lobsters and are deliciously sweet.  

Kiwis boast some of the tastiest lamb you’ll ever dine on, but make sure it’s not a hogget. That’s a 1- to 2-year old sheep that’s sprouted its two front teeth and is, therefore, too long in the tooth to be as tender eating as lamb.  

You can fill your trolley (shopping cart) with and/or order takeaways (takeout food) of beetroot (red beets), lollies (candy), tomato sauce (ketchup), and bacon rashers (bacon), and nothing beats an order of chicken and chips (fried chicken and fries).

Important protocol: Nobody eats kiwi birds. They taste terrible. And it’s illegal. So, don’t.

Australians Abbreviate EVERYTHING

Mosquitos are “mozzies.” Those invisible, insidious stinging bugs we call “no see-ums” are called “midgies.” A chicken schnitzel sandwich (which is quite popular in both countries) is a “shnitty.” A sandwich of any kind is a “sammy” or a “sango.” When you toast or grill the sandwich, it becomes a “toasty.” Breakfast is “brekkie” and the avocado you might eat is “avo.” If someone asks you for “chewie,” they refer to gum, not the character from a certain science fiction series. The interpretation of the famous “g’day” is evident to all, and you’ll hear it often when you pick up your coffee at “Macca’s”—the ubiquitous McDonald’s.

Fun Phrases

When you get a good deal on something, food or otherwise, a Kiwi might say, “That was cheap as chips.” I did not notice particularly low prices on fries, but I do love an alliterative phrase, so “cheap as chips” will be added to my lexicon.

“I have bugger all” basically means that you are broke or have none of what is being requested. I must admit to having heard this phrase in England, but it was said more musically in Australia and NZ.

If someone says, “I’ll shout you out at the hotel,” chances are pretty good that they are inviting you for a drink at the bar. According to Grant—and we can affirm this for Sydney and Cairns—there’s a bar on every corner in Australia, and, historically speaking, establishments were required to provide beds for those who got too drunk. Ergo, hotel=bar, and “shout out” means somebody else is picking up the tab.

“Pack your togs and jandals” is important to remember when heading to the beach as “togs” means your bathing suit and “jandals” are flip flops.

Need to watch the Aussie rugby finals on a workday? “Call in a sickie.” It seems obvious that the phrase means you are taking a sick day, but nudge-nudge, wink-wink, everyone knows you are feeling anything but ill.

When you want to compliment someone on a job well done or have been struck by good luck, say, “Good on ya, mate!” It rolls off the tongues of Aussies and Kiwis alike.

“Kia ora” (pronounced “keeyora”) is a Māori phrase that means many things: hello, goodbye, thank you, and other positive affirmations. Māori is both the name of New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian people and their language.

Another favorite Māori phrase is “ka pai,” which compliments a job well done. Don’t be like me and mistake the phrase for the Chinese “kanpai,” which one says to toast drinking mates. Although, I guess you could say “ka pai” to finishing up a drink cleanly!

Favorite Christie Phrases

We all knew to hurry up whenever Christie shouted, “Rattle your dags!” While it sounds like a cute little exhortation, in reality, it has to do with the rear end of a sheep that has not been sheared or cleaned itself in a while and has unmentionables hanging down behind. Image clear? Try not to think about it. It’s just fun to say and gets people moving.

And finally, you knew you were high on Christie’s list when she called you a “sweetie, cutie honey muffin.” No translation needed.

Gratitude

Many thanks to Paul’s and my fellow travelers: Carol & Tom, Martha & Thomas, Mark & Mick, Joan & Larry, Sharon & Jeff (Chief), Carol P., Marilyn, Sylvia, and Carly. (Please add words and phrases I left out!)

Heaps of appreciation for the best tour guides in the world, Grant and Christie. Good on ya and ta, mates! Cheers!