mum23

Aren't the rules meant to be broken? at Q

I'm not about to go crook at you for that little oversight, Hazer, especially as I hadn't noticed it either. If you're happy to host the next challenge, I'm happy to leave the decision as is. Looking forward to seeing your list!

Hazer

I just noticed an oversight...I did not use the word crook in my little story which disqualifies me. Mum23, I will hold off posting my list to give you time to reconsider.

Hazer

...I will try, that should have read.

Hazer

Well, thank you mum! This challenge was so much fun and Google had a treasure trove of Australian colloquiums so it was just a matter of putting them all together. I enjoyed all the entries and hope to inspire some more great stories when I have my word list ready. I try and have it posted tomorrow.

mum23

How oddly wonderful to find discover something about my own country from somebody so far away… thanks Hazer!

Before I announce the ‘winner’, I guess I’d better put those words into their colloquial phrases and provide the explanations. marg and Hazer have already used many of them in context, so you need only read their entries to get the gist. You should also know that most Australians do not habitually pepper their speech with phrases like these, though the meanings are commonly understood.

open slather: a situation in which there are no restrictions; free-for-all

have a blue: be involved in a fight

dob (somebody) in: to inform on them, to tell tales

sook: may be used as a verb or noun. To sulk, act like a cry-baby, especially if one doesn’t get their own way.

ripper: great, fantastic

damper: a bread made from flour and water, traditionally cooked in a camp fire

crook: sick, ill, or badly made

to give (somebody) the drum: give them information, or a tip-off

flake: shark meat, sold under the generic label of ‘fish’ in fish ‘n’ chips takeaway outlets

to give it a burl: to attempt something

So there you go… if any of you ever visit our shores, you’ll come forearmed with a bit of the local lingo!

Many thanks to all who participated… I enjoyed all the entries enormously.
Without any further ado, I’d like to pass the torch on to Hazer for her marvellous story, which sounded so genuinely ocker that I wonder if she’s actually been here before. Congratulations Hazer, and looking forward to your challenge.