The NZ/AU Glossary
Below is a non-comprehensive list of various Kiwi-isms which frequently trip up the unsuspecting Australian immigrant.
Before leaving for NZ, print out a copy of this useful guide so you may converse with the locals without causing any embarrassment.
Jersey: Not breed of cow, but rather a jumper.
Duvet: A doona.
Jandals: Thongs. Sounds like sandles, so makes sense I guess.
Click-clack: A futon. I’m serious. *CONTENTIOUS*
Trundler: A shopping trolley. Not a completely widespread word, but funny nonetheless.
Mufti-day: Casual clothes/uniform-free day at a school.
Section: A block of land.
Plasters: Band-aids.
Twink: Tippex, or white-out. Definitely not what you were thinking.
Tramping: Bushwalking and/or camping. Nothing to do with those in the oldest profession.
Chillibin: An esky. The king of them all. Hilarious to Australians, and New Zealanders have no idea why.
Felts: Textas.
Lifestyle block: Hobby farm
Plunkett: Childcare centre
Highway: a sealed country road
Motorway: a proper highway
Potluck: aka bring a plate.
Dairy: A milkbar/corner store.
Togs: Bathers aka swimmers aka budgie smugglers.
Curlies: Twisties, of which the proper ones aren’t available in NZ to the best of my knowledge.
Chuddy: Chewing gum.
Munted: Stuffed/screwed/buggered.
Bach: A shack.
Judder Bars: speed bumps, or sleeping policemen.
Rumble Strips: a series of rough strips across the road used to warn the driver that they are approaching an intersection or need to slow down.
Wop-Wops (or just wops for short): The backcountry (US), the sticks (UK), Tasmania (AUS).
Pottle: A small container.
dub-dub-dub: The WWW at the beginning of a URL.
And even though I said this glossary was to exclude anything regarding New Zealanders’ problem with vowel pronunciation, this last one just had to get a guernsey.
Rupped to buts and pussed to the tuts: drunk/pissed/maggotted.
Any more suggestions or corrections, email me at fushnchups.blog@gmail.com.
