Drinking beer on the pier, and a boat goes by. I ask, "What's a boat called in Australia?"
"A tinnie," Nicole answers. Nicole has a long history with Australia and should know.
Still, her answer doesn't seem right to me. "I thought a beer was a tinnie. . ."
"It is. Too many tinnies gives you a techi-colored yard."
That gives me pause. I image rainbow-colored labels on tin beer cans smashed John Belushi-like on Australian foreheads then thrown out the door, to rust on trash piles along a dirt driveway. "You mean too many cans on the lawn?"
"No, Susan! You drink too many tinnies and you vomit, a techi-color yawn!"
"Oh. Yuck."
So "techi-color yawn" is Australian for vomit. The many colorful expressions are fascinating but I am especially impressed with the countless words Australians use that end in ie.
What else besides "tinnie"? Today I saw a sign that said the gas station accepted Woolie vochures. What's a woolie? You might wonder? I did too. It's Australian for Woolworths!
So, I've compiled a short list-- a matching quiz-- of i before e words, used often in Australia. Why don't you try it?
Directions: Test yourself. Match the definition with the ie word.
Be careful.
You might use some answers more than once or not at all!
Correct answers are at the end of this blog.
Word Definition
__________________________________
1. Rellies A. sandwiches
2. Polies B. doggies
3. Salties C. crackers
4. Posties D. crocodiles
5. Freshies E. cheese sandwiches
6. Sonnies F. politicians
7. Doggies G. relatives
8. Toasties H. mail carriers
9. Mossie I. mosquitoes
It's good to learn the lingo when you travel.
So, how did you do?
1. Rellie = relative
2. Polie = politician
3. Saltie= salt-water crocodile
4. Postie= mail carrier
5. Freshie= fresh-water crocodile
6. Sonnie= just a regular sandwich
7. Doggie= doggie
8. Toastie= cheese or other toasted sandwich
9. Mossie= mosquito
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