Job Discussion Forums

[Minhang Oz]

"Skivvy", as an item of clothing, is a roll neck cotton buttonless long sleeved garment, quite tight fitting, and can be worn under a shirt or jacket. Popular in the 60's, which says something about your colleague, not to mention me. I think in British English it's a cleaner or maid.

[J-Pop]

It's been a few years since I heard this term: skivvy. I grew up hearing it from the old man (my father, for those of other cultural persuasions ).

However, never have I heard the "singular" use of this word: skivvy. He always said, skivvies. Skivvies are "underwear," (under garments). Sometimes, for variety, he might say "skivs" : abbreviated form of "skivvies."

BTW, since we are (sort-of) on a topic concerning Oz words. One of my favorites (though not my only fav from Oz, by any means) is: a sheila, meaning=female.

Don't know if Sheila only applies to young females (girls) or older ones (women), or that age makes any difference in how it's used.

Also, it seems there is a variation on "SHEILA," if the woman in question is unusually attractive. Can't remember the term for that form of Sheila. And, if my memory serves me right, this word, "sheila," is used by both blokes & sheilas alike. i.e. it isn't used only by guys referring to women--females use this term in referring to other females. Correct?

All you Aussies, feel free to correct, clarify, or amend any of this Yank commentary.

[sojourner]

J-Pop,

The term 'sheilah' was frequently used in the 'old' Australia,ie prior to the mid 1970s.But with the coming of the Women's Movement,economic globalisation and the rapid growth of higher education it's not heard so much nowadays.To cultured, well-educated,urban Australians of today, the use of such language would be regarded as boorish.

In reply to your query,when referring to a very attractive woman,many men in the 'old Australia often used the expression 'bonzer sheilah'.'Bonzer' was also used in other contexts, when refering to anything good or pleasing.However,I believe that the term,'bonzer', died out by the late 50s.Nowadays,if if anyone used the term 'sheilah',he would ,instead,add an adjective such as 'great' or 'fantastic' when referring to an attractive woman.On rare occasions today,you might come across the term 'beaut sheilah'.

Much of the Aussie slang depicted in those "authorities" of the Australian character and language,respectively,'They're a Weird Mob' and 'Strine', appears to have disappeared from the speaking habits of most educated, urban, middle class Australians.However,two expressions that are still frequently used today are 'nohoper' and 'ratbag'.

Regards,

Peter

[Minhang Oz]

The term for a man is "bloke". This is still in common use, as is "mate", which can also be used facetiously in a confrontation. "Root" for sexual intercourse [v. and n.] is also in daily use.
You're spot on J-Pop.

[george61]

" Grouse sheila" is the usually accepted term for a good-looking female of the species........."fair dinkum" means true,although foreign people usually mis-use it..."fair dinkum,mate...she is a bloody grouse sheila"...
The loo is the dunny,the outhouse,the s**thouse,the thunderbox....maybe a couple of others I've forgotten. Unfortunately,true...sorry Fair dinkum Australian slang is being killed off by Septic Kulture..."what a b*s***d!!"

[arioch36]

So what does nohoper mean. Does ratbag mean about the same thing as in the states...dirtbag...scumbag...person of no worth, lowlife?

[sojourner]

Arioch,

The term 'nohoper' usually means someone who is lazy,useless or incompetent.It is often used to describe someone who is unemployed,due to the aforementioned qualities, rather than to factors beyond that person's control,eg economic dowturn,illness,etc.I suppose that the term 'nohoper' could,to some extent,be covered by the American term 'loser'.But I'd imagine that, regarding the latter term, it is often used by Americans to describe someone who doesn't exactly meet one's subjective understanding of social success,regardless of whether or not the 'loser' is actually a lazy/incompetent person.

A 'ratbag' usually refers to someone who is regarded as eccentric.But someone with unorthodox views on religion ,politics,art,culture,etc, need not necessary be referred to as a 'ratbag'.It is usually meant for people who have well-argued views,and who don't always take themselves too seriously,are open to alternative viewpoints,etc.Many such 'eccentrics',in fact,take some pride when the media,fellow-citizens,etc, use such a term as 'ratbags', to describe them.However,if the person with the unusual views has no sense of humour,has poorly-developed arguments and does not pay heed to alternative viewpoints,he would be regarded ,simply, as a 'crank'.If such a person has really way-out views,and tries to force them down your throat,he would probably be regarded as a 'weirdo'.In Australian culture,therefore,one would would not necessary feel insulted in being described as a 'ratbag' - but he would be if he is called a 'crank' or 'weirdo' !

Occasionally,however,the term 'ratbag' may be used to describe someone who performs an impulsive,inconsiderate or stupid act,such as the motorist in front of you who does not indicate when he is about to turn, or who does a sudden u-turn on a busy road.

Regards,

Peter

[Minhang Oz]

AND.........
Scab
Drongo
Bludger
Dobber

All a part of a rich lingo. If no-one helps me out, I'll post some answers tomorrow.
Keep it coming Aussies.

[sojourner]

Minhang,

I could be wrong,but didn't Australia borrow the word 'scab' from the Americans,possibly as a result of the influence of that American radical socialist group,the IWW,during the early years of the 20th Century ?

Anyway,here's another Aussie expression that one stills hears nowadays : 'to knock'.It means to critisise something or someone,sometimes for the sake of criticising rather than to point out some falacy,injustice,or whatever.Derived that term is the word 'knocker'.The term is often applied to cultural critics or iconoclists (sp?),especially those academics and maverick media commentators, who are frequently criticising cultural values and icons,particularly : suburbia,gambling,the cultural myths of 'equality' and the 'fair go',philistinian pop-culture,the obsession with national sporting prowess,etc. Not suprisingly,many of the more high-profile 'knockers' are also regarded as 'ratbags' !


Regards,

Peter

[sojourner]

Minhang,

I could be wrong,but didn't Australia borrow the word 'scab' from the Americans,possibly as a result of the influence of that American radical socialist group,the IWW,during the early years of the 20th Century ?

Anyway,here's another Aussie expression that one stills hears nowadays : 'to knock'.It means to critisise something or someone,sometimes for the sake of criticising rather than to point out some falacy,injustice,or whatever.Derived from that term is the word 'knocker'.That label is often applied to cultural critics or iconoclists (sp?),especially those academics and maverick media commentators, who are frequently criticising cultural values and icons,particularly : suburbia,gambling,the cultural myths of 'equality' and the 'fair go',philistinian pop-culture,the obsession with national sporting prowess,etc. Not suprisingly,many of the more high-profile 'knockers' are also regarded as 'ratbags' !


Regards,

Peter

[arioch36]

So a rat bag is definitely not a dirt/sleaze/slimebal/low live/scum-vermin.

We use knock it in the states, Don't knock it until you've tried it (Don't criticize) or stop knocking me down all the time. Knockers are slang for something a woman has a pair of, rather then what's on your front door. (But on the "front door" of the woman)

I know scabs from the union busting days, a person who works during a strike.

Where does ratbag come from.

if I understand Australia right, bludger actual come (kind of ) from the police bludgeon, people that didn't work , but became "enforcers" who demanded money from people that did work? Or can it be anyone on the dole?

Dobber? That's not what Chinese people are always blowing out of their noses right in front of you, is it?

[AKA]

Dobber: one who informs the authorities re the activities of his peers; an especially repellent term that no one wants applied to them.
Scab: As above [see Arioch], so maybe not an Aussie term. The last teachers' strike I was in, our non union "colleagues" went to work, got paid, earned the gratitude of parents reliant on their babysitting, and pulled in the resultant pay rise we unionists had won. THEY were scabs, and we let them know. But they call themselves "professional".
Bludger: One who relies on the labour of others; hence "dole bludger", who makes no effort to find work. Anyone who doesn't pull their weight in a team situation. See "scab".
And finally, WOWSER: Originally the Temperance Movement who wanted prohibition. Now one who disapproves of people enjoying themselves. See "Protestant", ie, one who frowns on sex because it might lead to dancing.

[J-Pop]

[scot47]

I think "scab" for strikebreaker is pretty universal in the English-speaking world.

So is "to knock" something and maybe "knockers" for the mammaries.

Sometimes there are greater similarities between varieties of English than we think, but I still maintain that there are HUGE differences between varieties of spoken English.

I remember watching "Bonnie and Clyde" when it was first released and having real problems in understanding the speech. In those days all the Americans that IU had heard spoke like John Wayne.

[arioch36]

Hollywood deliberately tries to use and create slang...to separate the viewer from tradtional culture and thus make the audience identify with it (Hollywood) as a culture. Really!

Watch the original Batman with Adam ???I forget. anyways these shows tried always to use or create new words.

Now modern dictionaries wish to follow suit, and be "hip" I just can't believe all the words they elevate from slang to accepted words in the standard english vocabulary