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Quiz about Aussie lingo then and now
Quiz about Aussie lingo then and now

Aussie lingo, then and now Trivia Quiz


Here are a few questions relating to Australian English. They represent a mix of origins and crossovers from 'Old World' dialects and Aboriginal terms to relatively new words and their constantly evolving definitions.

A multiple-choice quiz by boofhead54. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
boofhead54
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
321,522
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
617
Question 1 of 10
1. Aboriginal Australians used this word to call over distances. Today, it is used by people from all walks of life, to call over distances or over the back fence, to say "here I am" or just to gain someone's attention. Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. "She just keeps coming back!", much like the meaning of her first name, which is another name for a boomerang. What's the name? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What is the word, adapted by Aborigines from English and now used around the world, which means to go off alone to find yourself? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Which of these is a word which originated in the 19th century English midlands, which once meant 'work' and now means 'genuine'? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What is the term used for the time when the earth and all living things were created by the 'rainbow serpent'? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which of these refers to an ordinary worker, down on their luck, but never going to give up? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Who or what is a boofhead? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. An American would say 'sidekick'. What word would an Australian use? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The meaning for 'dag' or 'daggy' has changed since it was first used in the 19th century. What had it come to mean by the end of the twentieth century? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Australians often change the ends of words or names so that they end in O or IE. With that in mind, which of these is a word for "afternoon"? Hint



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Oct 11 2024 : Guest 124: 10/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Aboriginal Australians used this word to call over distances. Today, it is used by people from all walks of life, to call over distances or over the back fence, to say "here I am" or just to gain someone's attention.

Answer: cooee

Is also used as a measurement of distance, as in the saying "not within cooee".
2. "She just keeps coming back!", much like the meaning of her first name, which is another name for a boomerang. What's the name?

Answer: Kylie

"Kylie" is a word for "boomerang", but whether this is the origin of the name is under dispute. "Kylie" is also an Anglo female form of Kyle.
3. What is the word, adapted by Aborigines from English and now used around the world, which means to go off alone to find yourself?

Answer: walkabout

Although this is a word used in both cultures, it has far greater spiritual significance for most Australian aboriginals.
4. Which of these is a word which originated in the 19th century English midlands, which once meant 'work' and now means 'genuine'?

Answer: dinkum

Also used in the form of "she's dinky di mate!", "dinkum" means honest and fair. The use of "she" does not necessarily mean a female.
5. What is the term used for the time when the earth and all living things were created by the 'rainbow serpent'?

Answer: dreamtime

When an aboriginal speaks about his dreaming it can mean many things, some which will always remain secret to the white man -- so I can not tell you, even if I knew. "Dreamtime" also refers to the time of creation.
6. Which of these refers to an ordinary worker, down on their luck, but never going to give up?

Answer: battler

This is an affectionate term for people in tough circumstances, as in "little Aussie battlers".
7. Who or what is a boofhead?

Answer: A large stupid person, or one with an irregularly or oversized head

This can also be a term of endearment, as can most insults in Australia.
8. An American would say 'sidekick'. What word would an Australian use?

Answer: offsider

A father will often refer to his child as "me little offsider", or use the term for a partner in a work situation.
9. The meaning for 'dag' or 'daggy' has changed since it was first used in the 19th century. What had it come to mean by the end of the twentieth century?

Answer: a lovable nerd

The original meaning was the dried excrement caught on the wool around a sheep's backside. Today, it can also mean someone totally uncool, e.g. "you're such a dag Dad!"
10. Australians often change the ends of words or names so that they end in O or IE. With that in mind, which of these is a word for "afternoon"?

Answer: arvo

Many of these words will have been coined by children, who are usually the greatest innovators of language. "Arvo" was used from my time in the 1950s and 60s. For example, you might hear "See ya at my place this arvo!"
Source: Author boofhead54

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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