Rat Up a Drain Pipe! Trivia Quiz

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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!

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."

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!

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.