Once I started telling people that I was going to move from Denver Colorado to Auckland New Zealand to be with my fiance many started inquiring further into life in NZ. A very common question was/is if we speak the same language. My answer is "sometimes" Yes the official language of New Zealand is English (and Maori) there are many phrases and words that need a bit of translating for the Yanks. The following are just a few that I'll try and update as I think of them and notice the difference....
(and I'm pretty sure that I'm spelling all of these kiwis phrases incorrectly but at least you get the idea)
SLANG TERMS:
Bollix: Slang for B.S. or damn i.e. "Transfering a car lease with Wells Fargo is such a pain, Bollix to that"
Bugger: Slang for shit or damn i.e. "Bugger I forgot my passport again!" You can also use it as a rude way to say go away "why don't you bugger off"
Flash: fancy or high-end or if something goes the right way i.e. "Did you see his boat, it is super flash" or "Welcome to New Zealand, sorry the weather isn't super flash today"
Cheers: Thanks
Faf or Faffing: taking a long time to do anything or nothing in particular or if something doesn't work out i.e. "I waited on hold for an hour and she still couldn't answer my question, it was a total faf" or "Do you want to use the computer? I'm just faffing about"
Sort: often used in place of "organize" i.e. "I need to meet with an adviser to sort my finances" but also use just to "do" something i.e. "We can sort dinner plans later"
Keen: used if you like something or want to do something i.e. "I'm kinda keen on the idea of going to China for 10 days" or "I'm really keen on all this great coffee"
Manky: something is gross or old i.e. "Under the sink I found some manky old rags"
Sweet As: this is a phrase that tends to be used for just about anything that you want to say is "cool" or "I'm great" For example when we were at dinner Lisa asked Terry if he would like more chicken and he said "No thanks I'm sweet as"
Dodgy: If something is sketchy or off i.e. "I just don't trust that guy he seems a bit dodgy"
Slapper: A term for a woman who has loose morals
Mate: is commonly used for a friend (but not as often as the Aussies). On my cellphone plan I was able to pick a "best mate" to make unlimited calls to
Gorgeous: While it is often use to describe something beautiful it seems to be used more as an adjective i.e. "That lamb sauce is gorgeous"
Brilliant: if something is good, great, a good idea, "it's brilliant" for example "We visited some vineyards and had great weather, it was brilliant"
Motorway: Highway
Tooting: Honking a horn
Piss: now this is a word that is used for a million different things including: making fun of someone i.e. "are you taking a piss at me?" or if you are drunk "She got so pissed last night" or to tell someone to bug off you say "piss off"
HOUSEHOLD TERMS
Bloke: used generically for a man. Initially I thought this was colloquial slang but even the news says "Last night a bloke was injured in a car accident...."
Wind Screen: Windshield
Bonnet: Hood of a car
Togs: bathing suit
Jandals: flip flops
Sunnies: Sunglasses
FOOD:
Flat White: Latte
Fluffy: steamed milk usually served with marshmallows for children
Biscuits: Cookies or Crackers
Nibbles: Snacks or Hor'Dherves
Entree: Appetizer
Main: Main Course
(and I'm pretty sure that I'm spelling all of these kiwis phrases incorrectly but at least you get the idea)
SLANG TERMS:
Bollix: Slang for B.S. or damn i.e. "Transfering a car lease with Wells Fargo is such a pain, Bollix to that"
Bugger: Slang for shit or damn i.e. "Bugger I forgot my passport again!" You can also use it as a rude way to say go away "why don't you bugger off"
Flash: fancy or high-end or if something goes the right way i.e. "Did you see his boat, it is super flash" or "Welcome to New Zealand, sorry the weather isn't super flash today"
Cheers: Thanks
Faf or Faffing: taking a long time to do anything or nothing in particular or if something doesn't work out i.e. "I waited on hold for an hour and she still couldn't answer my question, it was a total faf" or "Do you want to use the computer? I'm just faffing about"
Sort: often used in place of "organize" i.e. "I need to meet with an adviser to sort my finances" but also use just to "do" something i.e. "We can sort dinner plans later"
Keen: used if you like something or want to do something i.e. "I'm kinda keen on the idea of going to China for 10 days" or "I'm really keen on all this great coffee"
Manky: something is gross or old i.e. "Under the sink I found some manky old rags"
Sweet As: this is a phrase that tends to be used for just about anything that you want to say is "cool" or "I'm great" For example when we were at dinner Lisa asked Terry if he would like more chicken and he said "No thanks I'm sweet as"
Dodgy: If something is sketchy or off i.e. "I just don't trust that guy he seems a bit dodgy"
Slapper: A term for a woman who has loose morals
Mate: is commonly used for a friend (but not as often as the Aussies). On my cellphone plan I was able to pick a "best mate" to make unlimited calls to
Gorgeous: While it is often use to describe something beautiful it seems to be used more as an adjective i.e. "That lamb sauce is gorgeous"
Brilliant: if something is good, great, a good idea, "it's brilliant" for example "We visited some vineyards and had great weather, it was brilliant"
Motorway: Highway
Tooting: Honking a horn
Piss: now this is a word that is used for a million different things including: making fun of someone i.e. "are you taking a piss at me?" or if you are drunk "She got so pissed last night" or to tell someone to bug off you say "piss off"
HOUSEHOLD TERMS
Bloke: used generically for a man. Initially I thought this was colloquial slang but even the news says "Last night a bloke was injured in a car accident...."
Wind Screen: Windshield
Bonnet: Hood of a car
Togs: bathing suit
Jandals: flip flops
Sunnies: Sunglasses
FOOD:
Flat White: Latte
Fluffy: steamed milk usually served with marshmallows for children
Biscuits: Cookies or Crackers
Nibbles: Snacks or Hor'Dherves
Entree: Appetizer
Main: Main Course
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