Author(s): Paul Bugeja

HUMOUR

The Aussies use them every day, some of them more than others. They make their conversations colourful and interesting, loud and bright, rich and rare...and sometimes seemingly foreign or incomprehensible to visitors to their shores. They derive from a variety of cultural, historical and ethnic sources, and have adapted and evolved over time into a collection of truly original 'Australianisms'. They underline and emphasise the linguistic imprint of who Australians are. Some call them 'Strine'. Others, simply slang or idiom - Australian 'Slanguage' - English language the Aussie way. Here are some Aussie sayings to ponder: 'Hello, here's trouble'; 'How are you, me old china?'; 'Howzit garn?'; 'Saw your light on, thought I'd drop in'; 'We have to stop meeting like this'.