English, American, and Kiwi

Here I’m just going to point out some of words in the English Language that just don’t match up. I’ve made a couple of lists. The first being of words that are used here in New Zealand and probably no where else, it consists mostly of slang. The second list is of words we all know, but would probably go unrecognized if spoken by a kiwi. Ending with a list of consumer commercials with voice-overs that I can barely to listen to.

Sweet as – used as an exclamatory phrase, it’s like saying sweet as pie, sugar or splenda, and dropping the noun. I’ve also heard the replacement of other adjectives and the continual dropping of the noun; like dry as, bitter as, hot as. Apparently if a traveling Kiwi says this among the crude set of young men America is known for, it is often mistaken for sweet ass, and they ask, “Where?”

Gutted - a huge disappointment, mostly used while watching sporting events, especially rugby. It’s just that gut feeling of heart ache or the physical pain of being punched in the gut. Outside the realm of sports it could be used to describe the feeling of being dumped, missing the bus or having your car stolen.

Good on you - usually its more like “Good on ya” and can include “Mate” at the end in most cases. It’s like a “Right on”, “Good for you”.

Pashing – short for passionate kissing (making out), it’s what the young people are doing these days. I got my first vocabulary lesion of this word when we went to Classical Sparks in the Park, and classical music concert in Hagley Park. A family event that Tim said any one between the ages 13 – 16 uses to congregate together, escape from their parents in a non-suspecting environment, and pash for the first time.

Heaps – just a silly word that EVERYONE uses daily. There were heaps of fresh vegetables at the super market, I make heaps at work, There were heaps of people last night. Sometimes I can’t handle the heaps of heaps.

Full on – another phrase for “Right on”

Orange light – we would consider this yellow, telling you to slow down at an intersection, referring to a traffic light. And apparently in Australia it’s described as an amber light, weird.

Partner- significant other; husband, wife, serious boyfriend or girlfriend. The first time I heard this I was asked if I thought the person was gay, because in the states we subconsciously equate this with a gay/lesbian couple. But I’ve also been duped in a news segment about a business going under, and this man kept mentioning his partner, which I thought he meant business partner, but he was talking about his wife/girlfriend that would also lose money in the deal.

Togs – bathing suit. For St. Patrick’s Day in Wellington, the only piece of green apparel I had to wear to celebrate was a kelly green one piece J. Crew swimsuit. I wore jeans and an orange/paprika sweater over my bathing suit to be as Irish as possible. After I got a compliment from a local I pointed out that I was wearing my bathing suit, the rest of the night she couldn’t believe I was wearing my togs out, so bold.


So I wish you could hear how they say these words, but all I can do is create a short list and you’ll have to make a guess.

Subaru
Adidas
Aluminum
Laboratory
Garnier Fructis
Cervical
Mazda

And finally the consumer product commercials that were clearly filmed and produced in the states and a kiwi accent as been dubbed over to localize them. It’s so bad. I can't watch them, the lips aren't synchronized, and it just urks me.

Colgate
Bio-Oil
Head and Shoulders
Johnson & Johnson products