Australian British English

In true primary school fashion, Sylvia and I thought you would enjoy a quiz. (Answers are below the picture of the biscuits/cookies.)

A "popper" is:
     a. a little snack you pop in your mouth
     b. a juice box
     c. a firecracker

A "demisemiquaver" is:
     a. the quiver you get in your voice when you are nervous
     b. an arrow used in archery class
     c. a thirty-second note in music

A "kindy" is:
     a. someone in kindergarten
     b. someone who is kind
     c. a cool, windy breeze

A "brollie" is:
     a. fish broiled in olive oil
     b. an umbrella
     c. an old, well-loved baby doll

A "rubber" is:
     a. an eraser
     b. a rain coat
     c. a person who bumps into others in line

A "barbie" is:
     a. a Barbie doll
     b. a broken, sharp edge or point, usually of metal, plastic, or wood
     c. an excuse to eat lots of meat and get together with friends

Answers:
A popper is: b. a juice box.
A demisemiquaver is: c. a thirty-second note.
A kindy is: a. someone who is in kindergarten.
A brollie is: b. an umbrella.
A rubber is: a. an eraser
A barbie is: c. an excuse to eat lots of meat and get together with friends (or a barbecue).

Here's a couple of comparative paragraphs to show you how the language has many phrases that are slightly different than what we use in the States. Most are not particular to Australia, but are British English.



After crunch and sip, Sylvia did maths until recess when she decided to give it a go and play tip with some friends. They ran until they needed to take off their jumpers and get a drink from the bubbler. Sophia shared her chippies and threw the wrapper in the rubbish bin. Sylvia and Sophia decided they would ask their mums to exchange mobile numbers so they could ring each other up.

After a fruit and vegetable morning snack time, Sylvia did math until recess when she decided to try her best and play tag with some friends. They ran until they needed to take off their sweaters and get a drink from the water fountain. Sophia shared her chips and threw the wrapper in the garbage. Sylvia and Sophia decided they would ask their moms to exchange cell phone numbers so they could give each other a call.

Our local markets do not have "crumpets" as one of its main categories, but this one in Port Apollo (a little town west of Melbourne) did. We tried some warm, freshly baked crumpets from a café down the street. Yum!