Quite often people will get confused when an item is named one thing in one country yet named something completely different in another. This can cause confusion and embarrassment especially when it comes to thongs. I have created a list where I would love it if you could share what you call it. The differences aren’t just by country but states too. Let’s have some fun and see how different or similar our languages are. My responses are based on what we usually call them in South Australia.
This post may include affiliate links.
This is a swag, it is a small tent that rolls up and is easy to set up which is suitable for short trips/stays. My hubby uses one for his fishing trips coz there is no point him setting up a huge tent just for him. You can get a few different sizes including ones that will fit 2 people comfortable.
Anyone else call this a trolley or shopping trolley?
Shopping cart in America. Or hand basket for the ones you carry on the arm.
Anyone up for some nice juicy rockmelon?
These are ALL pumpkins just different varieties.
We have a few different names for this. Service station, Petrol station, Petty station and the most common word used is Servo.
If you need to keep your food and drinks cool then you will want and esky. Some people do call it an icebox but your more likely to hear it being called an esky. Esky is an actual brand name but we use it to describe them all.
This is where things can get awkward and embarrassing. In Australia this footwear are called thongs. If you ask for thongs in some countries you will be directed to the underwear department.
These are Hot chips. It is a popular Aussie tradition to go to the fish and chippie to buy hot chips then taking it to the beach to eat. They also taste great in bread which we call chip sangas or chip butties.
Ahhh, good old Coriander the most controversial herb due to some peoples genetics that make it taste like soap. We call the whole plant Coriander including the leaves and the seeds are just coriander seeds.
We call these Prawns NOT shrimp, so we wont be putting shrimp on the barbie. You hear that Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan)? lol.
In Australia we call this a biscuit or bikkie for short. As you probably already know that us Australians will abbreviate almost anything. The one pictured is called an Anzac biscuit.
I think this would be a cookie 🍪 in America. Those look good and probably a bit more healthy.
These are lollies in Australia and the lollies on sticks that you suck are called lollipops.
We call these icy poles or zooper doopers. Zooper Doopers is a brand name but we still commonly use it as a general description of any icy pole. The ones on pop sticks we call ice blocks.
Otter pops for me personally.. Its a brand though I had as a child so may be different for anyone.
Shops or drive thru’s that sell alcohol are called bottle shops but more commonly known as bottle-o’s.
Pictured are G-strings and V-strings. G-strings just have the string that goes in the butt crack whilst the V-string is wider in the butt crack area, kind of shaped like a narrow V.
We call this a Ute (utility vehicle). This one specifically is called a dual cab ute because it is a 4 door.
These are commonly known as soft drink or fizzy drink. I use them both interchangeably but use soft drink more often.
These are chips. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavours and are a popular snack for school, picnics, sports games etc.
We call these purses. Men carry wallets which are a smaller version of the womens purse. We often carry our purse in our handbags.
This is a handbag that we carry our purses and phone in since most of our clothes don’t have pockets. We keep things from nail clippers, baby wipes, make-up and the kitchen sink lol. I’m sure most of you ladies know what I am talking about.
These are stubby holders or stubby coolers. Stubby’s are short necked beer bottles and even though it is called a stubby holder, it is used for cans and long necks too.
Fairy floss is a popular treat found at fetes, fairs, and amusement parks etc. It is pretty much coloured sugar on a stick which melts in your mouth as you eat it.
This is known as a bum bag. Just so you know if you ask where the fanny packs are in Australia you may be on the receiving end of a few laughs. In Aus a fanny is a woman’s vajayjay.
We have a few names for these like swimsuit, bathers and cozzie. Different states in Australia have different popular versions. I call them bathers. Mens brief style of bathers (not pictured) are commonly called budgie smugglers. Other names for them are speedos and banana hammocks.
These are most commonly known as trackies, trackie dacks, or tracksuit pants. I would say trackies are some of the most comfortable pants ever. Although I don’t like mine with a cuff at the ankle and I like mine a bit looser.
This is a toilet, loo, bog or dunny. We also use those terms when asking for toilet paper ie loo roll, bog roll or dunny paper. The room where the toilet resides is usually called a toilet, restroom or bathroom (even if there is no bath). But if the toilet is outside it is called an outhouse. And if the toilet has no flushing system and has a long pipe instead, we call that a long drop.
This is known as a tinny. Tinny is also the name of a can of beer.
These are footpaths for pedestrians to walk on.
The baby is wearing a nappy.
Hash browns are something different. A potato scallop is a thin slice of potato battered then deep fried, maybe called a potato fritter in other countries. Some states call it a potato cake which is actually a seasoned patty of mashed potato crumbed then deep fried elsewhere.
Load More Replies...When I’m older I’m going to move to Australia. I think it’s so pretty there but the spiders definitely freak me out 😂😂
Hash browns are something different. A potato scallop is a thin slice of potato battered then deep fried, maybe called a potato fritter in other countries. Some states call it a potato cake which is actually a seasoned patty of mashed potato crumbed then deep fried elsewhere.
Load More Replies...When I’m older I’m going to move to Australia. I think it’s so pretty there but the spiders definitely freak me out 😂😂