I need help from some of you brilliant Aussies :)

Lyxdeslic · Apr 13, 2007

Hello/g'day,

In my current wip I have a chapter with a character -- who is a contemptuous ass -- from Australia. Please let me know if the following lines of dialogue ring true. And, bear in mind that, again, this guy is a scumbag of the worst sort; hence the overexaggerative slang.

“Oh, well, will you look at this. Isn’t this a beaut’. Apparently some bodgy bloke has gone and bingled up the highway,” Lachlan relayed with over exaggerative frustration at the sight of the crash just up ahead.

“Root it all to hell! Now it’s London-to-a-brick that I won’t get home in time for the football match!”

“All because of my dill of a Sheila and her little ankle-biter back there!”

“Well, will you look at this clacker with the exy suit! A right figjam this one is, eh!”

“Well? Don’t just stay perched there, you clacker! Show me your blood’s worth bottling and get me some help before I cark it right here on the spot!”

It’s you, you rootin’ anus! Now go ring me the ambulance officers, ya’ blubbery date!”

Thanks, to all, in advance.

Lyx

veinglory · Apr 13, 2007

bodgy, bingled, figjam, clacker, exy etc all do nothing for me as the Kiwi offspring of Australians. Sheila is another one only here used in jest. Even though their are cultural sayings people don't tend to use them all at once?

Lyxdeslic · Apr 13, 2007

veinglory said:
bodgy, bingled, figjam, clacker, exy etc all do nothing for me as the Kiwi offspring of Australians. Sheila is another one only here used in jest. Even though their are cultural sayings people don't tend to use them all at once?

Thanks, Vein. I certainly don't want to come across as an ignorant American trying too hard.

Lyx

veinglory · Apr 13, 2007

I am sure a 100% Aussie will be by with suggestions.

pdr · Apr 13, 2007

Another Kiwi here.

Too much and too many words.

Think laconic. Pick your words carefully. And you do need to use bloody and bastard. Some of your expressions - little ankle-biter, and I cark it are used by the Kiwis and British.

He might be a right bastard but he won't be a motor mouth. That's how we antipodeans stereotype Americans!

football match!” Tut! Any antipodean says 'for the footy'.
the ambulance officers, often called 'Zambucks'.

Lyxdeslic · Apr 13, 2007

pdr said:
Too much and too many words.

Think laconic. Pick your words carefully. And you do need to use bloody and bastard. Some of your expressions - little ankle-biter, and I cark it are used by the Kiwis and British.

He might be a right bastard but he won't be a motor mouth. That's how we antipodeans stereotype Americans!

football match!” Tut! Any antipodean says 'for the footy'.
the ambulance officers, often called 'Zambucks'.

Thanks so much, pdr. You're input (and this board as a whole) is extremely valued.

Lyx

Rosamund · Apr 14, 2007

Hello, Aussie here.

“Oh, well, will you look at this. Isn’t this a beaut’. Apparently some bodgy bloke has gone and bingled up the highway,” Lachlan relayed with over exaggerative frustration at the sight of the crash just up ahead.

Click to expand...

What I hear every day: 'Oh, great. Some dickhead's gone and pranged himself and buggered up the highway.'

“Root it all to hell! Now it’s London-to-a-brick that I won’t get home in time for the football match!”

Click to expand...

What I would hear: 'Bloody hell! Now I won't get home before the footy starts.'
Bloody is the great Australian swear word. You can't over-use it. I've never heard the expression in your last sentence.

“All because of my dill of a Sheila and her little ankle-biter back there!”

Click to expand...

What I would hear:'All because of the wife and her brat'.
'Ankle-biter' is affectionate. I have never heard 'Shelia' used in this context. Incidentally, I've never heard a bloke mention his wife in this situation - they are usually too focused on missing the footy to have any room for other thoughts.

“Well, will you look at this clacker with the exy suit! A right figjam this one is, eh!”

Click to expand...

I have no idea what this means. I've never come across these words before.

“Well? Don’t just stay perched there, you clacker! Show me your blood’s worth bottling and get me some help before I cark it right here on the spot!”

Click to expand...

I'm assuming that 'clacker' means someone who is talking a lot, as I've never actually heard this term before.
What I would hear: 'Don't just sit there. Get off your fat arse and get some help before -' I've stopped it here as I'm not sure why he would be talking about dying just because he is sitting in a traffic jam. More typical would be:'Stop yakking away there, get off your fat arse and get me some help! The footy starts in ten minutes! Bloody hell!'
'Your blood's worth bottling' is said as a way of expressing gratitude and thanks to someone, not as you have used it (yes, we're strange).

It’s you, you rootin’ anus! Now go ring me the ambulance officers, ya’ blubbery date!”

Click to expand...

What I would hear: 'It's you, you fuckwit. Now go and ring the bloody ambos so they can bloody well get here and I can go home and watch the footy!' I have never heard the two expressions you use in this sentence, so I swapped them for things I have heard.

I hope this helps.

Incidentally, where in Australia is this guy from? Because that will make a huge difference as to what sort of expressions he uses.

Contrary to what has been said above, I've never heard ambulance officers called 'Zambucks', only 'ambos'. It could be one of those region-specific words we have. I agree that 'the footy' is the only way to refer to football. I am wondering what code this guy supports - just out of curiosity.

I should also add that my examples are for a fairly well educated, middle-class person. Someone who has not finished high school and/or who is from a lower or higher class will also speak differently.

Lyxdeslic · Apr 14, 2007

Rosamund said:
Hello, Aussie here.

What I hear every day: 'Oh, great. Some dickhead's gone and pranged himself and buggered up the highway.'

What I would hear: 'Bloody hell! Now I won't get home before the footy starts.'
Bloody is the great Australian swear word. You can't over-use it. I've never heard the expression in your last sentence.

What I would hear:'All because of the wife and her brat'.
'Ankle-biter' is affectionate. I have never heard 'Shelia' used in this context. Incidentally, I've never heard a bloke mention his wife in this situation - they are usually too focused on missing the footy to have any room for other thoughts.

I have no idea what this means. I've never come across these words before.

I'm assuming that 'clacker' means someone who is talking a lot, as I've never actually heard this term before.
What I would hear: 'Don't just sit there. Get off your fat arse and get some help before -' I've stopped it here as I'm not sure why he would be talking about dying just because he is sitting in a traffic jam. More typical would be:'Stop yakking away there, get off your fat arse and get me some help! The footy starts in ten minutes! Bloody hell!'
'Your blood's worth bottling' is said as a way of expressing gratitude and thanks to someone, not as you have used it (yes, we're strange).

What I would hear: 'It's you, you fuckwit. Now go and ring the bloody ambos so they can bloody well get here and I can go home and watch the footy!' I have never heard the two expressions you use in this sentence, so I swapped them for things I have heard.

I hope this helps.

Incidentally, where in Australia is this guy from? Because that will make a huge difference as to what sort of expressions he uses.

Contrary to what has been said above, I've never heard ambulance officers called 'Zambucks', only 'ambos'. It could be one of those region-specific words we have. I agree that 'the footy' is the only way to refer to football. I am wondering what code this guy supports - just out of curiosity.

I should also add that my examples are for a fairly well educated, middle-class person. Someone who has not finished high school and/or who is from a lower or higher class will also speak differently.

Awesome, Rosamund! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Excellent feedback.

Two points, since you brought them up, I'll clarify. a) These are snippets of dialogue that appear throughout the chapter rather than sequential converse. In other words, it's not one subject of conversation but rather it is many. b) Clacker -- I gleaned the majority of my grossly misused Aussie verbs, nouns and adjectives from http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html. According to this website, clacker means pretty much the same thing as "Date" or "Arse-hole".

Excuse my...well...not french in this case.

Again, thanks for all of the valuable details you've provided. You've given me much to go on for my re-write of this scene.

Lyx

veinglory · Apr 14, 2007

I read those slang lists from time to time and they tend to mangle things 9 times out of 10

licity-lieu · Apr 14, 2007

Hey Lyxdeslic- I loved your dialogue! I would have to agree with my fellow Aussie AWs though. You would never hear all of those words together unless you wanted to write a script for a comedy routine about outback life. I dont even think Paul Hogan would carry on like that any more *cringe* I'd stick with "Bloody hell", "dickhead" and "fuckwit". Oh and I think "clacker" refers to a woman's vaginal/bumhole region, as in "bloody hell these undies keep riding up my clacker!" Also instead of "root it all to hell"-I'd say "fuckit all to hell". Bloke is good-you can never over use that.
Beauty mate, check ya later :Thumbs:

Another thought: You could also never over use the expression 'Geez' as in ' Geez mate, I'm goin' to be late for the footy' or you could keep it simple and opt for plain ole' Geeezusss'.

pdr · Apr 14, 2007

Oops! Sorry about that.

A Zambuck is a St John's First Aider. You still hear them called that in NZ in the RSA. (Returned Servicemen's Association.) According to the Dict it's an Oz term too.

Lyxdeslic · Apr 15, 2007

Thanks again, blokes and shielas (trying to be funny...not ignorant).

With the help you've provided, hopefully my scene will be improved a thousand fold.

All of you are awesome. What else can I say?

Lyx

Mac H. · Apr 15, 2007

Whoever wrote that list of 'Aussie' expressions is havin' a lend of ya.

'London to a brick' ?
'A right figjam this one is' ?

I can't even imagine Steve Irwin saying that.

Here's an example of how Aussies talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew7TweHy8O0

Mac
(PS: Yes, it that is a legal video. The ABC actually encourages clips to be put on YouTube. eg: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21556835-2,00.html

YouTube was incorrectly taking down the clips because a 14 year old kid with a hotmail address who claimed to represent 'The Australien Brodcasting Corperation' (sic) told them to. Wow. Credibility!)

poetinahat · Apr 15, 2007

Blow-in here -- I'm only a transplanted Yank (thirteen years now).

I've never heard Zambuck, but ambo I have heard. The other feedback rings true - mainly, pdr's guiding principle of fewer words, and Rosamund's point that it makes a big difference where in Australia these people are from.

I don't know if the website explains it, but 'figjam' stands for "fuck, I'm good; just ask me". I've never heard it used in real life, but I think I've seen it on a coffee mug.

scarletpeaches · Apr 15, 2007

You're a Yank!

Aw hell, I've gone right off you now.

Mandy-Jane · Apr 15, 2007

Hi Lyx

I'm Australian too, and I have to say I agree with everything that's been said here. The only thing I can add is that a really good expression (well not really good; in fact I hate it, but it gets used a lot) for "sheila" (which I assume is his wife or partner) is "missus" - as in "all because of the missus and the kid".

And you definitely must say "ambos" for ambulance drivers. Every single person in the country says it. I've never heard it said as anything else.

And your line about the clackers and the exy suit? I don't understand that. If you let me know what he's trying to say, I'll try and re-word it for you.

JJ Cooper · Apr 15, 2007

Lyxdeslic said:
“Oh, well, will you look at this. Isn’t this a beaut’. Apparently some bodgy bloke has gone and bingled up the highway,” Lachlan relayed with over exaggerative frustration at the sight of the crash just up ahead.

"Shit. Just my luck."

“Root it all to hell! Now it’s London-to-a-brick that I won’t get home in time for the football match!”

"Christ almighty. I won't make it home in time for the footy.

“All because of my dill of a Sheila and her little ankle-biter back there!”

"All because of my other-half and her ankle-biter."

“Well, will you look at this clacker with the exy suit! A right figjam this one is, eh!”

"Will you look at this goose in the suit. Thinks his shit don't stink."

“Well? Don’t just stay perched there, you clacker! Show me your blood’s worth bottling and get me some help before I cark it right here on the spot!”

"Don't just sit there looking stupid. Get off your arse and get me some help before I kick the bucket right here. I swear you're slower than a wet week."

It’s you, you rootin’ anus! Now go ring me the ambulance officers, ya’ blubbery date!”

"Crap, it's you. Go and ring the Ambo's, sunshine."

Thanks, to all, in advance.Lyx

"Thanks mate."

JJ

Lyxdeslic · Apr 15, 2007

Mac H. said:
Whoever wrote that list of 'Aussie' expressions is havin' a lend of ya.

'London to a brick' ?
'A right figjam this one is' ?

I can't even imagine Steve Irwin saying that.

Here's an example of how Aussies talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew7TweHy8O0

Mac
(PS: Yes, it that is a legal video. The ABC actually encourages clips to be put on YouTube. eg: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21556835-2,00.html

YouTube was incorrectly taking down the clips because a 14 year old kid with a hotmail address who claimed to represent 'The Australien Brodcasting Corperation' (sic) told them to. Wow. Credibility!)

Thanks, Mac. Tried the link but they must have removed the clip as it won't load.

poetinahat said:
Blow-in here -- I'm only a transplanted Yank (thirteen years now).

I've never heard Zambuck, but ambo I have heard. The other feedback rings true - mainly, pdr's guiding principle of fewer words, and Rosamund's point that it makes a big difference where in Australia these people are from.

I don't know if the website explains it, but 'figjam' stands for "fuck, I'm good; just ask me". I've never heard it used in real life, but I think I've seen it on a coffee mug.

Thanks, Poet. The general concensus is ambo, so that's what it looks like I'll go with. And, yeah, the "F.I.G.J.A.M." reference was intended as you defined. I love it and it fits; yet I can't use it 'cause...well...aussies don't use it. Damnit, you guys, start usin' it. It's an awesome line. If you all start using it, then in a couple of years when I get my book published (yeah, right) it will be a popular phrase.

scarletpeaches said:
You're a Yank!

Aw hell, I've gone right off you now.

Yeah, but he defected. That's gotta' count for somethin', no?

Lyxdeslic · Apr 15, 2007

Mandy-Jane said:
Hi Lyx

I'm Australian too, and I have to say I agree with everything that's been said here. The only thing I can add is that a really good expression (well not really good; in fact I hate it, but it gets used a lot) for "sheila" (which I assume is his wife or partner) is "missus" - as in "all because of the missus and the kid".

And you definitely must say "ambos" for ambulance drivers. Every single person in the country says it. I've never heard it said as anything else.

And your line about the clackers and the exy suit? I don't understand that. If you let me know what he's trying to say, I'll try and re-word it for you.

Thanks, Mandy. Very helpful indeed. Ambos has enough votes for me now, definitely.

With the line about the "clacker in the exy suit", I was trying to say the asshole in the big shot/fancy suit. Seeing that I've failed, miserably...I'd love some other options.

Thanks again.

Lyx

Lyxdeslic · Apr 15, 2007

JJ Cooper said:
"Shit. Just my luck."

"Christ almighty. I won't make it home in time for the footy.

"All because of my other-half and her ankle-biter."

"Will you look at this goose in the suit. Thinks his shit don't stink."

"Don't just sit there looking stupid. Get off your arse and get me some help before I kick the bucket right here. I swear you're slower than a wet week."

"Crap, it's you. Go and ring the Ambo's, sunshine."

"Thanks mate."

JJ

Wow, JJ, tons of thanks on this one. Love the "go and ring the Ambo's, sunshine" rewrite.

Lyx

JJ Cooper · Apr 15, 2007

No worries mate.

JJ

poetinahat · Apr 15, 2007

JJ Cooper said:
No worries mate.

JJ

Right -- like anybody ever says that. Strewth.

(They do, but it comes out more like "nah wurries".)

JJ Cooper · Apr 15, 2007

How about a recent Aussie advertising campaign that was shown in England. A young Aussie model in a bikini on a beach looking into the camera and saying - "So where the bloody hell are you?" For some reason the poms didn't like it.

JJ

Mandy-Jane · Apr 15, 2007

Lyxdeslic said:
With the line about the "clacker in the exy suit", I was trying to say the asshole in the big shot/fancy suit. Seeing that I've failed, miserably...I'd love some other options.

Thanks again.

Lyx

How about something like:

"the dickhead in the bag of fruit" (Aussie rhyming slang for suit)

"the dickhead/loser/idiot, etc.... all decked out like a Christmas tree" (don't know how common it is, but I've heard it said. In any case "all decked out" is a true aussie saying.

Mandy

Jo · Apr 15, 2007

Hi Lyx.

You're getting some great suggestions here, and not to be left out, here's mine for the suit

:

Lyxdeslic said:
“Well, will you look at this clacker with the exy suit! A right figjam this one is, eh!”

Check out the penguin. What a wanker.

or

Check out the wanker in the penguin suit.

I need help from some of you brilliant Aussies :)

Laughing every time I choke.

volitare nequeo

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Laughing every time I choke.

Laughing every time I choke.

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drying and defragging...

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