From drongos to dropkicks national library of australia. Macquaries best aussie slang provides a doorway to dip into this wonderful world. I got a postcard today in the mail from listener juliana. We see no point in informing the world that fridge is australian slang for a refrigerator. The spangled drongo dicrurus bracteatus is a bird of the family dicruridae. The latter is my favourite image and phrase pairing in the book. The drongo fantail chaetorhynchus papuensis, formerly named the pygmy drongo, is not closely related and is now placed in the family rhipiduridae drongos are mostly black or dark grey, shortlegged birds, with an upright stance when perched. However, australian english has different pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling and even grammar. From aerial pingpong afl to on the wrong tram to be following the wrong train of thought and finishing up with some verbal. A blank lined journal for sightseers or travelers who love australia. The drongoll get the spear if he doesnt pull his socks up.
It seems there was a racehorse in the 1920s named drongo that didnt win a race in 27 starts and the word was picked up to describe a stupid or incompetent person. Australian slang is a ripper of a read that will delight visitors from os, as well as trueblue aussie blokes and sheilas. Judging by the number of australian slang books available on the shelves, it remains of interest to travellers too. If you dont buy this book youre one chop short of a barbecue.
A dinkum guide to oz english 3rd revised edition by johansen, lenie isbn. If so, dont chuck a wobbly, simply take a squiz at john blackmans best of aussie slang and shell be apples. It wasnt easy but weve tried to include uniquely australian slang here and to exclude british and american slang even though these are commonly used in australia. Australian english is derived from british english. Arriving into australia with little knowledge of australian slang may get you into a few awkward situations. It is the only drongo to be found in australia where it can be recognised by its black, iridescent plumage and by. The spangled drongo is found in northern and eastern australia, as well as in the islands to the north of australia, and further north to india and china. Aussie slang a beginners guide we are taught to speak and to write proper english when were young.
They have long pointed wings and stout, hooked bills ornamented with long bristles about the mouth. Aussie slang au page 1 topic page number index 01 disclaimer 02 about wander inn bunbury backpackers 03 connect with us on social media 04 australian slang a story of australian english 0511 australian slang a to d 12 27 australian slang e to h 27 35 australian slang i to l 35 41 australian slang m to p 41 48. Heres a fun booklet of aussie slang to print, fold and enjoy with the kids. Aldabran drongo dicrurus aldabranus approximately 1,500 individuals is also an endemic species which inhabits scrub, mangrove and casuarina areas. Welcome to this latest edition of australian slang. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Aussie slang dictionary ebook written by john blackman. These senses of dag derive from an earlier australian sense of dag meaning a. Australia, new zealand, slang, derogatory a fool, an idiot, a stupid fellow. What a drongo he dumped a really good looking sheila for that sow. If youve got any comments or suggestions, though, wed very much like to hear them. Many australians view their slang as being uniquely australian and an integral part of their culture.
It came from drongo, a wellperformed racehorse of the 1920s, who. The word drongo is used in australian english as a mild form of insult meaning idiot or stupid fellow. Now updated with over 100 new entries, this dictionary aims to do three things. Drongo, any of approximately 26 species of old world woodland birds constituting the family dicruridae order passeriformes. Most species have black plumage with an iridescent purple or green shimmer and long, deeply forked tails. Bursting with even more definitions of australias varied language, the bestselling aussie slang dictionary has been updated with over 50 more entries adding to the existing 1200. Drongo article about drongo by the free dictionary. Recently i wrote about the spitting image a very strange phrase if ever there was one. Judging by the amount of australian slang books available on the shelves, it remains of interest to travellers too. Lolla stewart is a local author and regular writer for brolga publishing. Drongo definition, any passerine bird of the family dicruridae, of africa, asia, and australia, the several species usually having black plumage and long, forked. Australian slang top results of your surfing australian slang start download portable document format pdf and ebooks electronic books free online rating news 20162017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader.
Youll never be lost for words with this collection of colourful sayings. Top 18 books about australia to read before visiting down under. This dictionary brings together a colourful collection of colloquialisms from down under, including humorous rhyming slang, inventive insults and comical curses. Her work varies from the helpful to the hilarious, including fun activities for children, dream dictionary and brolgas little book of household hints. You will need instructions for folding our origami booklets, which you can find here. The drongos are a family, dicruridae, of passerine birds of the old world tropics. Are you feeling like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge, and running around like a bluearsed fly. Meanings and origins of australian words and idioms anu school. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time i comment. Slang permeates australian society it can be found in pubs and rsls, at footy matches and on tv soaps, in the hallowed halls of parliament, in schoolyards often behind the dunnies, and up the backyard round the barbie. The beginners guide to australian slang being an aussie myself and knowing my way around the lingo those traveling to australia for the first time may very well be confused or totally baffled by the way in which we communicate with each other.
For the asian species sometimes referred to by the same common name see haircrested drongo. The late show with stephen colbert recommended for you. This usage derives from an australian racehorse of the same name apparently after the spangled drongo, dicrurus bracteatus in the 1920s that never won despite many places. The horse whose name became part of australias language. Australian slang dictionary specifically about australian phrases for the novice and expert alike. There are some words used that may offend as they have converse meanings to other english speaking countries. It seems likely that he was named after the bird called the drongo. Legends, yarns and tall tales, page 191, in another story, the drongo is working for a farmer when the boss decides it is time to build another windmill. English is similar to british english, but many common words differ from american englishand there. The word drongo has been frequently used towards mates and can be. What are some interesting examples of australian lingo or. This latest literary triumph from john blackman is the ultimate guide to the. Australians mostly view their slang as being uniquely australian and an integral part of their culture. It is called a drongo because that is the name of a bird from the same family in northern madagascar.
Read this book to discover the meaning behind perplexing australian discourses such as this onegday mate. Everybody knows a drongoaustralian slang for a nohoper, a hapless soul who, try as he might just cant do anything rightbut most dont know how the term entered our language. A direct and informative wordbook of idiom and slang which is directed at giving explanation to the meaning of and the correct usage of the australian english language. Celebrating a distinctive and often irreverent language, australian slang is a ripper of a read that will delight visitors from os, as well as trueblue aussie blokes and sheilas.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read aussie slang dictionary. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Discover the connection between bludgers and pimps, drongos and a winless horse. There was an australian racehorse called drongo during the early 1920s. So she sent me a postcard with a few different slang terms and expressions from australia, and i thought it would be the perfect chance for me to break these down and talk about whether or not i actually use any. Meanings and origins of australian words and idioms anu. Learn these australian slang words and phrases and youll feel at home on your first day down under.
Derives from a racehorse of that name in the 1920s that never one a race out of 37 starts. Its only when we travel out with our own hometowns and countries that we discover that there are so many variations in terms of language. The updated versions of the aussie slang dictionary have had additional entries researched and compiled by christine fotis. Millions of products all with free shipping australia wide.