Aussies

[roostersfan]

Why is it that so many people think that all Aussies say "G'day mate!" ?

[andy hughes]

It's cultural stereotyping - all Americans are rich and loud, all French smell of onions, all Italian men are lechers, all Indians are on the make, all black people are lazy - the list goes on and on. Remember, most of our perception of Australians is based on daytime soap operas, where characters do tend to say just that!

[bupf]

exactly. Im scottish and Ive never said och aye the noo . for one thing it doesnt make sense.

[saffstar]

Only the ignorant think that - all us enlightened types know that, in fact, all Aussies ever say is "Strewth!", "Rack off!", "Flamin' Gallah!" and "Mongrel!"

[saffstar]

No. Sorry. My mistake - that's just Alf Stewart isn't it!

[tartanwiz]

Perhaps they do. Or at least did until it was pointed out to them. I'm Scottish and sometimes i do indeed say 'och aye', meaning 'oh right' or 'ah yes'. But it is used less frequently in Scotland than it used to be, simply because we've become self-conscious about it.

[roostersfan]

Actually, a few of my friends do say "strewth", and one of my teachers at school used to call people "galahs" if they were a bit slow. Thanks for all the responses. I love this website - someone can ask one question and people have a whole discussion about it! =)

[rinkytink]

The five 'Aussies' that I know pretty well all say 'G'day'. They use is in the same sense as I might say 'morning' or 'alright ?'. Of course one should not assume that all Australians would use the term.

[airbolt]

Daytime Soap and Paul ( Put another shrimp on the Barbie )Hogan.

[JohnPPotts]

You might add that they're stereotypically all called Bruce (well the men are, anyway). I actually knew an Australian who was universally known as Bruce, even though his real name was Steve

[roostersfan]

really? i would have thought steve was a more aussie name. I don't know any Bruces at all.

[bernardo]

The other day I got a signed photo from a member of the cast of "Neighbours" on which he had written "Gday Bernardo!" on it.

(except that he actually wrote my real nmae, not "Bernardo") :-)

[GrammarPea]

I'm Irish and I've never once heard of an Irish person say "Top of the mornin' to you". It doesn't even have an equivalent in Gaelige. Does anyone know where that crazy stereotype comes from?!

[saffstar]

Y'see, that's how cool Bernardo is - 'Neighbours' actors just randomly send him signed pictures of themselves!

[roostersfan]

Yeah! Go bernado. Neighbours rules! Which actor sent u a photo? And do u guys have Home and Away or All Saints in England? All cool Aussie shows!

[bernardo]

It was Kyal Marsh - I sent him a birthday card for his 6000th birthday about 7 months ago (on Monday he will be 17).

[humming bird]

No non brain dead aussie ever said 'put another shrimp on the barbie'..we don't call them shrimps mate..oh sorry, g'day all.WW11 Aussies never said G'day in my experience, they were cultured and said "hello, how are you"..without any exceptions. You say "g'day mate only to people you know well unles you are a right turkey or a public school student (heheheheh) saff..you total cretin..if "all Aussies ever say is "Strewth!", "Rack off!", "Flamin' Gallah!" and "Mongrel!" how the hell do you ask for a Mackers or a beer?? ...bloody idiot! seymate Cheers

[amarillis]

As an Aussie sheila, I'd just like to say g'day mate. How's it going? Flamin heck it's a right scorcher today, I'm flat out like a lizard drinking and full as a goog!