Weve got a colourful collection of sayings and catchphrases that have been passed down from generation to generation, and make little to no sense to anyone who isnt from the land of the long white cloud. This dictionary is the first largescale english dictionary especially prepared for new zealand users. Kiwi slang 101 for your new zealand trip kaitiaki adventures. New zealand everyday slang words and phrases, colloquialisms. New zealand slang has developed over time from such a diverse mixture of backgrounds that it is sometimes difficult to establish exactly what phrases and slang words are originally from new zealand. Probably one of the most used kiwi slang terms and one of our favourites. The dictionary also reflects research into international english conducted by. Kiwi speak colloquialisms this is kiwi speak, our slang, our way of talking. A kiwi is a sweet fruit thats originally from china but today is most often grown in new zealand. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The auckland residents dictionary of slang in new zealand contains more than 32,000 informal words and expressions. David mcgills complete kiwi slang dictionary mcgill. Hey uce, heres a meanas guide to kiwi regional slang.
Isnt it my civic duty to help fellow immigrants understand. This book is a perfect companion volume to pelicans comprehensive maverick guide to new zealand, widely acclaimed as the best guidebook on the subject. In kiwi speak, bestselling author justin brown eavesdrops at the dinner table, the schoolyard, the farm and the sports club to bring us an entertaining dictionary of phrases and expressions the often hilarious, sometimes baffling new zealandisms we use in everyday life. New zealands unique use of words and kiwi slang has come to be a particular curiosity around the world, both for its unique blend of english familiarity and its antipodes twist. Kiwi definition, any of several flightless, ratite birds of the genus apteryx, of new zealand, allied to the extinct moas. New zealand kiwi slang dictionary ads tv commercials, advertisments anklebiter toddler, small child. So the below will give you a bit of an idea on what youre in for. Dairy a convenience store, corner store, or mini supermarket chilly bin a cooler bin, used for keeping drinks cold the wops really far away, the middle of nowhere.
See that little green fruit with tiny edible seeds in your fruit salad. Have you ever wondered what new zealanders are talking about. Dictionary of kiwi slang up the boohai shooting pukakas. Nz english to us english dictionary, nz language and culture, new zealand. Were not here to confuse you, its going to be hard enough as some say we speak too fast and we sound funny. The kiwi fruit actinia chinesis, was so called in u. Compiled at the new zealand dictionary centre in wellington, it reflects research into new zealand words and their use, including new words, and new uses of older words that have evolved in new zealand. This collection of new zealand slang and colloquialisms was sourced partly from a project i did for 7th form english, and the remainder from a dictionary of kiwi slang by david mcgill.
There are many differences between these two countries, even though there are still people in the world that think it is one big. Familiarise yourself with basic kiwiese words and sayings and youll be away laughing. Pull on your jandals, togs and sunnies, pop some beers in the chilly bin and take a tiki tour to the beach. The reed dictionary of new zealand slang david mcgill. Bungy kiwi slang for elastic strap, as in bungy jumping bush new zealands native forest bushed had it exhausted buttie sandwich made from buttered bread byo bring your own a byo restaurant is a restaurant that allows customers to bring their own wine to drink with their meal.
New zealanders are referred to as kiwis not the fruit, but instead the native bird. May 16, 2014 learning kiwi slang isnt easy, so well start with 20 common words. The complete kiwi slang dictionary, david mcgill shop online for. David mcgill this collection presents the active slang, catchphrases and colloquialisms in kiwi use in the first decade of the new century. A personal kiwiyankee dictionary paperback january 30, 1984. Kiwi words and phrases even if you are a native english speaker you will find that how we speak english here may be quite different.
Im a kiwi, id have to say that the yeah, nah, slang means both yes, no, and sometimes maybe. Then check out our kiwienglish dictionary to tackle kiwiese slang. Learn to speak basic kiwiese, new zealand slang and sayings. Here is a dictionary of words and expressions commonly used in new zealand with their equivalent definition. Once youve learned them all, move on to the next section where ill teach you the good stuff.
Nz english to us english dictionary, nz language and culture, new zealand guide book weather, food, music, natural and political history. Liberian english dictionary universal outreach foundation. Remember to pack this in when you book your rafting rotorua trip with us. Ordering more than one book will reduce your overall postage costs. Fishpond new zealand, the complete kiwi slang dictionary by david mcgillbuy. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Today, i reshare my entry as a courtesy to those who will visit new zealand, and for anyone who needs a laugh. While new zealand english slang has a lot of similarities to aussie and british slang, it does have a bit of an identity of its own. Dictionary of kiwi slang page 1 of 2 items national. Click through alphabetically or go page by page to view all of entries we have. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel.
Also of you havent noticed, we really like to call our friends cunts, and people we think less of mate have you meet jeff, hes a good cunt. He has also published fiction, several volumes of memoir, and a book for children. Some of its uniquely new zealand, and some is more a mix of international adaption with an original home grown twist. The terms, slang and expressions used in new zealand are very similar to those used in australia. A dictionary of kiwi slang paperback january 1, 1989 by david mcgill author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. A dictionary of kiwi slang for the new millennium some old, some new, some borrowed, often blue this collection presents the active slang, catchphrases and colloquialisms in kiwi use in the first decade of the new century and is the book of my new slang site nz launched on beatties book blog 1 august 2011. Before you check out this dictionary, why not learn more about universal outreachs work in liberia. Mcgills the reed dictionary of new zealand slang 2003 is a comprehensive and updated dictionary of informal new zealand language. Its hot out, lets go grab a beer bro or thanks for your help bro top man. David mcgill is available to visit school groups as part of the writers in schools programme. You guys are going to be speaking fluent kiwi in no time. However be assured that all of the listed words and phrases are used with regularity throughout new zealand which will hopefully give you a better.
When talking, new zealanders like to use a lot of slang. Composed in equal parts of fact and hilarity, this specialized dictionary will aid the traveler, amuse the linguist, and delight even the casual observer. It is difficult to pin down exactly what phrases are of new zealand origin and what arent, especially due to the similarities between new zealand and australia. New zealand language and culture guide book nzus dictionary. Kiwi slang 101 by stephanie whether youre as kiwi as they come a new zealander, not the fruit. Learn to speak basic kiwiese, new zealand slang and. To be able to learn a language for travelthat is only a slang slant to your own. Many words and phrases listed here are common to both new zealand, great. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. It has some archaic american expressions held over from the pioneers of the 1800s like vexed for angry, but also has some british and other diverse expressio. New zealand slang is light and fun while most of the kiwi phrases are easy to remember. Kiwi definition is any of a small genus apteryx of flightless new zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage.
Across the ditch across the tasman sea accelerator gas pedal in the car ads tv commercials aerial topdressing spreading of fertilizer from a aircraft afghan chocolate flavored biscuit, usually made from cornflakes, covered in chocolate icing agee jar essential glass jar used for preserving foods agro aggravated, aggressive all black new zealand. New zealand kiwi slang dictionary ads tv commercials, advertisments anklebiter. Talks to david mcgill about his dictionary of kiwi slang, catchphrases, characters and kiwiosities. Some of her kiwi friends are coming to visit this weekend. This is just the beginning of kiwi slang and lingo. By the way, kiwi is a slang term for a new zealander. However there are many words that are only known in new zealand and used only by kiwis. Liberian english is quite distinct from british or american usage. Dec 30, 2017 new zealand slang is light and fun while most of the kiwi phrases are easy to remember. Below are just some words and slang that are commonly used in nz.
This is one of the classic new zealand slang words is one that can be added onto just about every sentence you can think of. David mcgills complete kiwi slang dictionary paperback 1998. The beaut little book of new zealand slang by harry. An appendix of goneburgers a to z lists once popular kiwi slang little. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Already the little guide hashelped to acclimate me to telephone and chat line conversation for the lands down under. Dictionary of kiwi slang page 1 of 2 items national library of new.
It has some archaic american expressions held over from the pioneers of the 1800s like vexed for angry, but also has some british and other diverse expressions. Kiwi can refer to either a new zealander, or the countrys national bird. Aug 10, 2018 ozzies vs kiwis, gday mate vs sweet as bro. A dictionary of kiwi slang by david mcgill a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Its a wellknown fact that kiwis have their own way of talking, and without a guide you can easily come a greaser. Chips rather like the americans, we use the word chips to describe what the brits call crisps, hence why we need to call number 14 hot chips. The kiwi slang term creek is one such example, having been extracted from american settlers, as opposed to the term stream as would be used by british migrants. Sep 18, 2017 probably one of the most used kiwi slang terms and one of our favourites.