A Quiz with a Prize

I have been turning several phrases around in my head today, wondering exactly why I continue to find language differences so fascinating in Australia.  I suspect it is because we are speaking the same language, and yet, often we aren't.  Occasionally, of course, there is the completely new word, such as capsicum for bell pepper, but for the most part, the words and phrases we hear that cause us to pause and think, and to sometimes smile and other times shake our heads, are ones that already have a place in our vocabulary.  The difference is in how they are being used.

Now that I have been writing for over a year and a half about word differences down under, I am curious as to how many of the phrases below my (North American) readers will be able to understand.  I do realize that I published a language post in the very recent past.  It seems that from the moment I do so, I begin hearing phrases and words that I wish I had included.  It is probably more than coincidence:  Likely language is at the forefront of my brain and so I notice it more, but at any rate, from the date of my last language post, I started scribbling notes for a follow-up one.  I thought it would be fun to ask my readers to guess at the meanings.  I will choose randomly from any brave enough to have a go at responding and send out a prize.  Incidentally, these are all phrases I have heard within the past couple of weeks.

1.  Did you hear the goss about Julia?  (over dinner)

2.  Is he a journo or a polly?  (on the school playground)

3.  Give the icy poles to her lot instead of mine.  (at church)

4.  I was absolutely rapt when I found that out.  (also at church)

5.  The coffee at that cafe is ordinary.  (from Ross)

6.  We have aths heats on Wednesday.  (from Katie, who was rather put out when we asked to her to repeat herself).

7.  I need some new textas (pronounced texters of course) for school. (Cameron)

8.  I ate all of my rockmelon today at fruit time. (James, reporting on the condition of his lunch box).

Go ahead and guess at the meanings of any or all in the comments section.  I'll be back with answers very soon.

 

 

Comments

[Mywhitsend]

Okay, but don't laugh.
1. thenews/latest/gossip
2. level at school
3. I give up. ??? No idea.
4. astonished
5. not de-caff
6. math drills
7. notebooks
8. cantalope

[D]

1. gossip
2. junior, sophomore
3. popsicles/ her family
4. shocked or surprised
5. regular, no fancy flavorings
6. exams
7. notebooks
8. honeydew

....Cheryl :)

[Christie]

Thanks to both Cheryl and Whitsend--- I didn't laugh, but I did smile.

[Gillian Gavarotto Brown]

Those suggestions made me chuckle..

[Marion McLaggan]

I sent my answers by e-mail! This was an interesting quiz!