Kiwi-isms

This is a kiwi

As someone who is very immersed in cross-cultural communication I thought it might be funny to share some unique phrases and words that we use here in NZ in an effort to  enhance global understanding. Yes, in a cross-cultural relationship you can indeed have some big misunderstandings -”don’t you celebrate Independence Day, Canada has one” is a recent comment that springs to mind… why would we, I ask!

• Kiwi – this is not the fruit (which is actually kiwifruit - we invented the name and market it so we ARE right ok) it refers to a small, flightless bird and the people of NZ who are named after it.
• Lollies – sweets or candy
• Dairy – small corner shop that sells newspapers, milk, Pies (oh another kiwi classic) and much else
• “Bring a Plate” – when invited to a pot luck dinner… does not mean you literally bring an empty plate… you should always put some food on it first… oh how we giggle at poor innocent immigrants who get that one wrong.
• Tea – can refer to the hot drink but also confusingly refers to dinner (eaten at night) as well. It personally drives me nuts and I know is rather confusing to newcomers.
• Jandals – flip flops, thongs (Australian word)
• Togs – swimsuit
• Knickers – panties
• Jumper – ha this is a funny one. It’s a sweater here, usually wollen but I believe something really different in the States. Got a funny look when I talk about putting my jumper on didn’t I?
• Bach – beach house
• Whanau – a Maori word that sort of means family/friends/support… no real equivalent in English so used pretty widely here
• Choice – This was a word popular in my childhood that’s had a bit of a renaissance, used as in “Choice feed, bro”. Ha, that is a typical Maori thing to say… meaning “Fantastic meal my friend”
• Spunk, as in a guy is a bit of a spunk (good looking). I once said that in England at work and everyone cracked up. About a month later I figured out what it meant there and was sooooo embarrassed – it refers to a male body fluid!
• Fanny, actually I include this as an illustration of an American word that has a totally different meaning here (and is really only used by my mother now days I’m sure). I believe in the States it means bottom, here it um refers to a…. front bottom. We find it pretty shocking when people talk about fanny packs to be honest… it’s hard to keep a straight face! Please use the term bum bag around us!
• Wop-wops – mythical place in the middle of nowhere… as in “she’s moved out to the wop-wops”
• Root – means sex. We really do laugh (and get shocked) when people talk about rooting for the team. When J and I first started talking he said something about rooting for me and I couldn’t stop laughing… had to tell the poor boy why….
• Pukeroo – broken… anglicised version of a Maori word I believe
• Things are often “for Africa” as in large. For example, “there was enough food for Africa at the event last night”
• Sweet as – no problem
• Tiki tour – taking the scenic route or indirect route to get somewhere.
• Tramping – hiking. Not dressing up like a homeless person (British meaning) or acting like a tart!
• Mental health day - a paid sick day when you’re not really that sick… just needing a break away! Had to quickly make sure a dutch friend didn’t actually use that as an excuse to her work once she heard about them!
• Flat- shared house, flatmate= room mate

That’s all I can think of right now – remember all of this is said with an accent that literally butchers vowels and spoken really, really fast. I actually needed help to order a hair dryer in a hotel in Florida as we simply do not pronounce our Rs strong enough for Americans to understand them! Shame for me as my name has three Rs in it! I’m not really sure what to do about that!

Anyone else got any funny words/misunderstandings they want to share?