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Quiz about Rat Up a Drain Pipe
Quiz about Rat Up a Drain Pipe

Rat Up a Drain Pipe! Trivia Quiz


Aussie lingo is great, the visuals it gives you are both alarming and wonderful at the same time. I hope you enjoy this.

A multiple-choice quiz by em1958. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
em1958
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
376,339
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
551
Last 3 plays: Lascaux (10/10), Guest 124 (10/10), Johnmcmanners (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. First things first, Aussie Lingo is based on 'Strine'. What is 'Strine'? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. I have to tell you this is a "bonza" quiz. What does "bonza" mean in Aussie Lingo? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Well, you are in for a 'stoush' if you don't like this quiz. What is a "stoush" in Aussie Lingo? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. I am glad we settled that. Would you like some 'plonk' to celebrate mate? What is 'plonk'? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Gee, this quiz writing proving to be hard 'yakka'. Do you know what that means? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Now I don't want to sound like a 'bludger', so don't think that! What do you think a 'bludger' is? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. You could be a 'drongo' if you don't understand this quiz. So what do you think a 'drongo' is? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Good thing you are a 'mate'. So what is a 'mate' in Australian slang? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Well you might think I am giving you "the rough end of the pineapple". What do you think this means? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. I have to tell you we are at an end of the quiz. We better finish off "like a rat up a drainpipe". What does this expression mean? Hint



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Oct 25 2024 : Lascaux: 10/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. First things first, Aussie Lingo is based on 'Strine'. What is 'Strine'?

Answer: Australian English

The use of 'Strine', to describe Australian English, has developed over time as Aussies shortened words and ran them together.

The term became popular in 1960s after an Australian writer Alistair Morison wrote a book, using the pen-name Afferbeck Lauder (Alphabetical Order), called "Let Stork Strine" (Let's Talk Australian).

It is still a very popular today, so don't be surprised if an Australian speaks 'Strine' to you, just try to keep up.
2. I have to tell you this is a "bonza" quiz. What does "bonza" mean in Aussie Lingo?

Answer: Excellent

It was very interesting researching this. I thought it was related to the Gold Rushes in the 1850s and derived from the Spanish word 'bonanza', however there are many possible derivations.

In the early records the form 'bonzer' existed with forms such as 'boshter' and 'bosker', which may have come from a Yorkshire dialect. On the other hand it could be related to the French word 'bon'. All meant good or excellent. 'Bonzer' remained after the other forms died off. The modern spelling is 'bonza'. Basically, no one knows for sure.

As an interesting side note, BONZA is used in internet slang. Again it means 'excellent'.
3. Well, you are in for a 'stoush' if you don't like this quiz. What is a "stoush" in Aussie Lingo?

Answer: A fight or argument

It seems this is derived from 'stushie' or 'stooshie', a Scottish term for a commotion, rumpus, or row. However, it may also come from the Boer War. With language it is becoming clear that there are many possible beginnings.

It became a very popular word in the early 1900s; World War I was known as 'The Big Stoush'. "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke", by C.J. Dennis, was published in 1915. One whole chapter is called "The Stoush o'Day" and described a big fight.
4. I am glad we settled that. Would you like some 'plonk' to celebrate mate? What is 'plonk'?

Answer: Wine, usually cheap

The term 'plonk' came back with the Aussie soldiers of World War 1. It comes from the French term 'vin blanc', meaning white wine (but often applied to less expensive samples).

While researching this word I found it is 'Diggerese', the language of the Diggers or Australian soldiers. These words are picked up from the languages of the war-torn areas where they served. Some words, like 'plonk', have stayed in the language, while others have died out.
5. Gee, this quiz writing proving to be hard 'yakka'. Do you know what that means?

Answer: Work

This can be used as a noun meaning 'strenuous labour' or used as a verb meaning 'to work'.

This work was first recorded in 1847. It is believed to come from an Australian Aboriginal word 'yaga', meaning work. Specifically, it comes from the Yagara tribal language in Queensland.

There is a popular work clothing brand in Australia called "Hard Yakka".

Anyway, back to the 'yakka'.
6. Now I don't want to sound like a 'bludger', so don't think that! What do you think a 'bludger' is?

Answer: A lazy person who evades responsibilities

It would seem that this word originates from the British 'bludgeoner', which would seem to be a violent criminal armed with a bludgeon, a short stout club. Although this doesn't indicate laziness, the next step begins to.

Blue-collar, manual workers began to use 'bludger' as a derogatory term to describe white-collar workers, who they believed were lazy and did not work hard.

By the 1940s 'bludger' was applied to anyone considered lazy. Today it is evolving again to be an almost friendly term, such as "You lucky bludger" (someone you like who has won money or a promotion with apparently little effort), and suggests some admiration.
7. You could be a 'drongo' if you don't understand this quiz. So what do you think a 'drongo' is?

Answer: A fool

There have been many explanations for the beginnings of this term. It may be derived from the Scottish word 'drongair' meaning drunkard, indicating a drunk is a fool.

I prefer this one. In the early 1920s, a race horse was called Drongo after a type of bird - the Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus). Poor old Drongo had a pretty poor career, although it should have been better with his bloodlines. After this any horses, who seems to have an unlucky streak or perform poorly, was termed a 'drongo' by the public. From this start it began to be applied to people who did silly or foolish things. In Australia it can be almost a fond term for the hopelessly inept, "You're a drongo, mate."

As a footnote, I found the origins of the term were celebrated in 1977 when the Drongo Handicap was held at Flemington Racecourse. The horses included were not allowed to have won a race in the previous year and only apprentice jockeys could ride. Only in Australia!
8. Good thing you are a 'mate'. So what is a 'mate' in Australian slang?

Answer: A good friend

Again this word could have come from many different cultures that make up Australia today.

The most likely seems to be from the German word "gemate" which means to share a meal with friends at a table. Perhaps it came to us from the English convicts who were transported to Australia. They would use the term amongst themselves, in a way to support each other. It came into popular usage in the 1850s gold rushes. "To go mates with a fellow miner meant that you were friends with a fellow miner, but it also denoted a business partnership."
9. Well you might think I am giving you "the rough end of the pineapple". What do you think this means?

Answer: Receive unfair treatment

This expression is recorded first in 1959, and there is early evidence for the expression "wrong end of the pineapple". It is unfair treatment and relates strongly to "come the raw prawn". All expressions of unfairness. Obviously the spikey end of a pineapple and the rawness of a prawn are both nasty.

Where did these expressions start from? Again no one knows!
10. I have to tell you we are at an end of the quiz. We better finish off "like a rat up a drainpipe". What does this expression mean?

Answer: Very quickly

This is one of the many phrases that Australia has exported to the world.
It is rather derogatory, usually said about a person that wants some reward or to curry favour with a superior. It may originated in convict times, with some convicts seeking to impress their overseer. However, it is again a mystery where the saying actually came from.
Source: Author em1958

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