After living in Australia for 2 years and 8 months, I have heard more hilarious and bizarre sayings than I ever thought possible.
Examples:
After I’d rattled off some ideas I’d been pondering, an Aussie looked at me and said: “You’re crazier than a fart in a bottle!”
When I asked an Aussie to add one more package to the armload they were already carrying they replied, “Why don’t you stick a broom up me arse and I’ll sweep the steps on my way down!”
Once an Aussie was carrying a grocery bag for me that fell apart and they called back over their shoulder, ““babe, your bag is split from asshole to breakfast!”
I don’t know where in tarnation they come up with these sayings, but they sure make me laugh.
Of all the sayings I’ve heard, I think my favorite has to be, “Wouldn’t be dead for quids, mate.”
It’s something I hear most often on gorgeous days when I run into good male friends. After hugs and kisses I’ll ask, “How are you?” And they lean back, hands in pockets and say, “Ahhh, wouldn’t be dead for quids, mate.” I’ve never heard a female reply this way, so it must be a distinctly bloke-ish response.
I love it. It gives me a warm, life-IS-rather-good-isn’t-it feeling.
Yesterday was a Wouldn’t Be Dead for Quids day.
Bear and I have been going through some rough times lately dealing with scary health issues that are stressful and send life topsy-turvy. We’ve been trying to be brave and strong for ourselves and each other and that is always exhausting. We were in dire need of a break so we set Wednesday aside as a Fun Day.
I woke up waaaay before the sun to feed and water all the animals by flashlight so we didn’t need to worry about getting home early. It was wicked cold out here, but worth it for the peace of mind. When I was done, Bear had a cuppa waiting to warm me up and then we were off to town.
We started with breakfast where we ran into dear friends and had a good ol’ chat before they had to dash off to work. We found a warm, sunny table and lingered over coffees and hashbrowns and flapjacks. Mmm. On Fun Days you really need to eat comfort food.
Thus fortified we started our adventures. Everywhere we went was positively brimming with treasures!
The markets had tomatoes, apples, lemons and limes for only a few dollars a box. I’m dreaming of homemade ketchup, apple cider, and limoncello. The grocery store had wonderful copper pots on sale to replace my battered and ancient thin-bottomed stainless steel ones. Hooray!!! Also on sale were polka-dotted gumboots (yippee!!) and an oh-so-cozy winter coat. I’m all set for winter on the farm.
We went to the Pig and Calf sale – a fabulous country auction that has the best people-watching around. There we ran into more dear friends and we chatted happily, checked out their new sheep, and made plans for home-brewing out at our place. Bear and I picked out the auction items we wanted and took turns bidding against canny farmers from miles around. It was wicked fun and we scored great deals. Then we were off to the Dump Shop where we found even more treasures! Our trailer was filled to bursting by the time we were done, and Bear and I were beaming from all the fun of the hunt.
On our way home we stopped at the home of our Hungarian friends for a cuppa and a chat, soaking up the last lusciously warming rays of sun before the icy winds started. It was so good to get caught up, laugh hard at our latest shenanigans, and share slices of fresh-out-of-the-oven bread slathered with butter. Oma gave me 6 fertile duck eggs to put in our incubator and I’m so excited about the possibility of ducklings next month.
We finally got home as the sun was setting: cold, tired, but happy.
What is the best day you’ve had recently? xo
Hahaha… HA! I can’t stop laughing, I need to meet these people… LOL! Hilarious. Going to use these terms for sure. Gosh we Aussies are a crude bunch. My CEO heard me giggling away at your post and asked what was so funny, gave me a lesson on what a Drop Kick really means… Its not nice, if anyone says that to you, slap em! 🙂
The best day I’ve had recently, the awards dinner on Monday, we all had an absolute ball, drinks, dancing and lots of laughs. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful rest of week, hugs. xx
I’m so glad you liked it, @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus 🙂 They really are the funniest bunch. I never know what is going to come out of their mouths! 🙂 I had to ask Bear what Drop Kick meant and he got a grin on his face and affirmed that no, it is NOT nice. 🙂 Your awards dinner sounds SO fun!!! 🙂
Bahaha… Its the best when you are in a small country town, people actually talk in slang to each other like this. Tooo funny! 🙂 Bless Bear! We can both tick off learning something new today – Drop Kick = Bad! Yes, SUPER loads of fun had by all at the dinner. Take care lovely one. See ya soon. x
They sure do, @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus ! I’ve spent so much time saying, “What? Pardon? I have NO idea what that means!” 🙂
I’m a little slow to figure out some of the bogan slogans too my lovely. We really are a couple of innocent bunnies. Happy Friday! Wooooop. xx
I am smiling about the sayings….How funny! Glad you and Bear got out and enjoyed the day. Fun days are good for the soul.
Aren’t they hilarious, Velva? 🙂 I love my Aussie friends and their crazy words.
The origination of some sayings is so strange… I love reading them, and I’m sure I wouldn’t know how to respond to some! So glad you had a fun day, sometimes no matter what is going on in life such a day is just needed. And that sunset at the end?? Gorgeous?? So… how cold is it??
Most of the time I just burst out laughing, @kimlivlife:disqus 🙂 How on earth DO you respond to some of those?! 🙂 It is cold enough to have frost in the mornings, but warm enough by afternoon to only need a light jacket or sweater. 🙂
What a stunning day! I love the Aussie terms for so many things – I have to educate myself as my family all live ‘down under’ 🙂
It’s been quite an education for me too, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂 My friends got me an Aussie slang dictionary when I got here and it was hilarious. 🙂
Your photos are wonderful! All the Autumn seeds and all the way to the setting sun!… praying health for yous my dears… be well. I am off to brew a cuppa and settle into a hot bath to rest my feet especially, after a long and satisfying work day on the farm… We have come into summer and sprouting gardens just as you say good-bye to yours… keep warm and do send a photo of the new polka dot boots~
All my love. nestle warm daily, inside and out
Thank you so much, Susan. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re putting your feet up. Sounds like you’ve been working so hard on your beautiful farm! We have too. It feels good but boy do we fall asleep early each night. 🙂
There are somne characters out there Krista and it looks like most of them live in your town. Glad you had a fun relaxing day. It sounded wonderful except for getting up at 4 oclock in the cold,
When I first moved to Australia, sometimes I thought they spoke a different language. I still don’t say g’day because the accent is still American but if I drop something on the floor it’s always, “BUGGER!!” and it comes out bugga, just like an Aussie.
I haven’t had a good day lately and now I want to organise a fun day too. 🙂
Oh lordy, those ockerisms make me cringe!
What a wonderful day of treasure-hunting! I love those Aussie sayings – I wouldn’t be dead for quids either, if that’s not too much of a blokey thing to say!
Great story! So glad you’re feeling cheery again. hurrah!
Can’t wait to see the ducklings.
sounds like a great day – bread and butter and laughter – all great medicine! (sheep and calves too, methinks!) have a good weekend too!
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My sister’s partner is Austrailian, and while I can’t remember anything specifically that he has said. I confess to laughing out loud a lot! Of course, we have our own crazy sayings, but it is great fun to hear new ones!
Duck eggs wow can’t wait to see the pics. I’m an Aussie so these are part of my life and also love ‘flat out like a lizard drinking’
Sorry you are not well and your day out sounds like a little bit of sunshine to brighten you both up, what a wonderful idea.
Wouldn’t be Dead for Quids……hey look up a comedian called The old Fellah you’ll love him x