OZ SPEAK
As an incomer to the Borders one needs to learn the local use of words and dialect. Oz is the same for the visiting Pom. Aussies tend to economise on words and phrases: How are you going? they will ask to which the reply is Good End of exchange. And they do say 'G'day'. The older generation will oblige with a 'Fair dinkum' but not as a comment on an English win. At anything.
Then there is the abbreviation approach. 'Polly' for Politician, (Uni for University is now world wide) Reli for Relative, Volly for volunteer-even leaving out the middle of the word-]Hoon' for hooligan. Currently hoons are being fingered for texting while driving.The average Hoon apparently has no worries mate about this according to a nationwide survey. The imaginative-'Salvos' for Salvation Army -now their official name on fund raising literature. And the odd derivative: 'Manchester' is the generic term for bed linen; Department stores have a Manchester section.
Some oddities: to stickybeak is to be nosey. Car sales have the slogan 'First in Best dressed' which apparently means the first good offer secures the vehicle even from the punter in the ragged T-Shirt and sawn off Jeans. There is even an imported version of cockney rhyming slang Hit the Frog ( Frog and Toad, the road) but with the Australian Green Party getting so powerful, a phrase best avoided, even amongst the Cognis (cognoscenti)
Should stop before fate intervenes and I may be in danger of 'getting the rough end of the Pineapple'
Any other Ozwords to Huttonian at old_greywolf2000@yahoo.co.uk A billybong of tucker to the first jolly swag man who contributes/ And all connies will be gratefully ackied. G'day
