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A Bit of a Foreign Thing!
Written by Tamara on July 5, 2009 in News
People from back home have been asking how we are finding the settling in process. As each week passes we are finding out more and more differences between what we know and what we are yet to learn. It’s kind of fun, but hard all at the same time!! For Bill, it is a quick re-learn, where as for us born and bred Aussie’s….it’s a much steeper learning curve.
For those who have been wondering, check out the lists below. Just a little something for fun!!
At School for Caleb:
Full Stop – Period
Rubber – Eraser
See-Saw – Teeter Totter
Tiggi/Chasey – Tag
Dobber – Tattletale
Mum – Mom
Pop – Grandpa
Mate – Friend
Footpath – Sidewalk
Families have to pay to have their child remain at school for lunch.
Around the Home:
Rubbish – Garbage
Doona – Duvet
Single bed – Twin bed
Pillows in one standard size – Pillows in 3 different sizes
Nappies – Diapers
Toilet Train – Potty Train
Toilet – Bathroom/Washroom
Wee – Pee
Pitcher – Jug
Afternoon Tea – Cup of tea in the afternoon
Tea/Dinner – Supper
Laundry sinks VERY rare!
Ensemble Bed – Box spring bed which needs a frame to sit in (and 3 times as high!)
Toilet water sits sooo much higher (3/4 full) so splashes are FOREVER an occurrence.
Sayings:
Reckon – Means “I think”, but a non-existent word in Canada.
How are you going? – How are you doing?
Can I help you with anything? – How are you making out?
Pay someone out – Tease
Shout you to something – Treat you to something
Have a cuppa – Have a cup of tea or coffee
Arvo – Afternoon
Barbie – Barbeque
Ta – Thanks
Cheers – Thank you
At the Store:
Self Checkouts at most major stores.
Trolley – Cart
Carts only have front wheels that turn, not all 4 (yes, I look the site!)
McCafe – Non existent in the ‘Maccas’ here!
No checking of bags when leaving a store
Soft Drink/Fizzy Drink – Pop
Chemist – Drug Store
The Bottle-O – Liquor Store
No separate post shops – hidden at the back of drug stores
Aluminium Foil – Aluminum (spelt different AND pronounced different!)
Sandwich Bags – Baggies
Lollies – Candy
Catalogues – Flyers
On the Road:
License plates on front and rear of car – only on rear in some provinces, including Alberta.
No law for people over 18 to wear bicycle helmets.
Roundabouts – Traffic Circles
Give Way signs – Yield Signs
Miscellaneous:
Mandatory to pay into a pension plan
Solicitor – Lawyer
Door to Door Salesperson – Solicitor
Autumn – Fall
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July 6th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Love it! Only, I would put forth that “eh” is the Canadian word for “reckon.” As in: “It’s gonna be a good day, ya’ reckon?” = “It’s gonna be a good day, eh?” – both being a friendly, useful way of drawing someone else into the conversation while at the same time not requiring a big effort on their part.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Love the input Tam!!
To clarify though….”reckon” is used at the beginning of our sentences, not the end. However, if one was to say…”I reckon it’s going to be a good day”, the other would then respond…”Yeah, I reckon.” It’s hard to explain why, but it just doesn’t get put at the end of sentences…perhaps the same reason as why “eh?” is not put at the beginning.
Let me know if you think of any others? I’m enjoying this!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I enjoy reading your posts as you guys are like the connection between calgary and rto for me. it’s interesting watching the transition between the two countries in reverse. here’s a few more…
Bathers/Toggs/Swimmers – Bathing Suit
Sunnies – Sunglasses
Top – Shirt
Thongs/Pluggers – Flip Flops
Shop – Store
Washing Powder – Laundry Detergent
Pram – Stroller
Sanga – Sandwich
Put it in the post – Put it in the mail
I’ll ring you – I’ll call you
Up the back – Up at the back
Breakie – Breakfast
Chicken Fill”et” – Chicken Fill”ay”
Foy”er” – Foy”ay”
Musos – Musicians
Builder – Contractor
Pay with EFTPOS – Pay with Debit
It really is a new language to learn, isn’t it?