When I travel, I listen to the vernacular, the everyday words used by locals, such as when in Australia and New Zealand. For example, the title of this post: “I’ll shout you a lollie, mate.” For starters, I know you already know “mate” is how one can address anybody, but a “lollie” is a candy or sweet. When said, I’ll “shout” you, it means the person will treat you … in this example, to a sweet or candy. More often though it is more exciting when they’ll shout you a beer!

There were phrases helpful when meeting people: 

G’day: good day to you

Kia ora while in NZ: meaning hello in Māori

No worries: okay, no problem

In Australia, I knew “outback” was a remote part of the bush, “bush tucker” their native foods, and “walkabout” a long hike in the outback. I was also interested in words used at farms/ranches. At various ranches, we saw sheep herded by dogs: Huntaways and Border collies, and I even saw a short-haired Border collie!

Sheep that were shorn: Romney and Merino. Food cooked on the “barbie”, yup, that’s BBQ.

Station: is the large farm or ranch; such as a sheep station; we visited a few.

Jillaroo: young woman on a station

Jackaroo: young man on a station

Damper: bread cooked in the outback, but with this rancher’s recipe for an oven.

Tucker: meaning food

Ute: their pickup truck 

When you travel, especially when in countries that speak your language, do you heard unique phrases? Are you struck by other vocabulary used by people in the place you are visiting? Of course, the best way to say hello worldwide is always a smile, but do listen to words, accents, and phrases that may be new to you! It is all part of the travel experience … we don’t want everything to be like home!

Also notice landscape! Did you know there are salt flats north of Melbourne, south of Alice Springs in Australia? Australia is the size of the lower 48 USA states so flying was necessary for me in my travels there. Look out the airplane’s window …

BTW, If you are in my neighborhood, I will shout you a mug of beer or glass of wine, so let me know! G’day!