US Survival Tips for Aussies

Language

• Unless you are talking about "w" don't use double letters when spelling words (for example "double t"). You will not be understood.
  

  I'd noticed this too. I asked my girlfriend (American) about it, and she said that it depends a bit on the area of the US you are in. In Michigan at least, they will understand double letters (but rarely use them themselves) but never double numbers (e.g. don't say "double-three" when telling someone your phone number). I have talked to phone operators on 1-800 numbers (who are therefore presumably scattered across the US) and have found that some seemed to understand, whereas others did not at all.<...> -- Justin Ridge (Feb 1996)

  
  
• Americans pronounce their vowels differently to Australians. This can cause confusion when spelling words (such as your name). In particular our letter "a" sounds like their "i" and our "e" sounds like their "a".
  

  I have cousins in Canada that I met a few years ago. Pronouncing their names to a local shop owner was a nightmare !!! Ian and Ann-Maree. The Maree part was the qualifier for telling the difference betwenn the two names. You have to pronounce with the nasal sound of ee-an (Ian). Although, pronounced with the Australian accent at normal talking speed would make it hard to decipher what was said.<...> -- James Morris (Feb 1996)

  
  
• Americans always pronounce the letter "s" as an s and never as a z. Consequently they pronounce the word "Aussie" as Arssie and not Ozzie.
  

  <...>What about as? Surprise? Usually the z sound follows a long vowel, as in surmise. Plus there are plurals,like words (wordz?)-- Tim Dodson (Feb 1996)

  Here in the midwest, some important place names end in a silent s. Mostly these are names based on the French spelling of Native American groups. For example, "Illinois" rhymes with "ahoy." -- Tracy Thibodeau (Feb 2006)

  
  
• Quite obviously Americans and Australians pronounce words differently. However no matter how hard you try you will always have to repeat yourself when ordering a coke. I'm still unsure why.
  

  <...> I've never had problems with ordering a coke, but I'll watch specially from now on to see if I have to repeat myself.<...> -- Julian Elischer (Feb 1996)

  <...>Don't ask - in some areas they think you want something crude :) <...> -- Justin Ridge (Feb 1996)

  <...>After 2 years of asking for "Coke" here in California and receiving everything from blank stares to the evil eye, I have found a workaround solution to this issue. I ask for Pepsi now, and when they say "sorry we only have Coke", I just say that's fine!!!!<...> -- Deson Kim (June 2000)

  <...> I find that Aussies, certain Canadians, and some Brits, tend to pronounce the letter, "O," in a way that is totally mystifying, to Americans. I can only describe the "non-American" pronunciation as a blend of 2 sounds -- an "Ah" sound, quickly followed by, what we would call, a pure "O" sound. Other non-Americans, make the "O" sound as if it were, what we would call, an "aw" sound, or "au" sound -- but to us Americans, it all comes off sounding like, "Ah." So, when Aussies, and some others, say, "Coke," it sounds, to USA dewllers, like "Cahk," "Cawk" or "Cauk," which is, to us, a pronunciation quite similar to a slang word, for a part of the male anatomy. Anyone from Aus., or anywhere else, can solve the problem of ordering coke, by pronouncing the "O," in a way that we would call, a LONG, pure, "O" sound. I mean, "O," as in the American pronunciation of "bold" "cold" "old" or "stove." Don't give the "O" any sort of flattening -- in other words, entirely eliminate the "Ah" portion of the sound. Just pronounce a straight, pure, round "O," by keeping the lips rounded in a small "o" shape, right from the start. DO NOT move the lips, in the slightest, during pronuciation, to cause any change in sound. It is a changeless, constant sound, when pronounced, in the U.S.A. <...> -- Anonymous (Aug 2000)

  <...>Sorry? Could you explain that a little more clearly???<...> -- Tania (Mar 2006)

  
  
• Accents vary from state to state (which is also different to Australia). But compared to us Americans will pronounce all letters in a word. So for example they will pronounce all the letters of the word "veteran". This is not always the case as the word "herb" mysteriously loses the leading "h".
  

  <...>Americans pronounce all those 'R's we forget,though some Australians add some in.. (It's not uncommon to hear an Australian say "Drawring" with the added r in the middle.. (You might dissagree). <...> -- Julian Elischer (Feb 1996)

  <...> Most people don't overpronounce the letter "r," (for example, saying "warsh" instead of "wash"). The only people I know who do this are from Texas or the Southwest. -- Cathleen Foster (Feb 1996)

  <...> where I'm from (Rhode Island in New England) we have a distinct difficulty in pronouncing our "r"'s. Plus, similar to many English and Australians, we refer to objects in their old English terminology, i.e. rubish instead of garbage. <...> -- Ian C. Story (Feb 1996)

  
  
• In general Americans pronounce foreign words better than Australians. When they say words like "Nissan", "Mitsubishi" and "Mazda" they at least sound Japanese.
  

  <...> The way Mazda is pronounced in the US - Marzda really got me -- James Morris (Feb 1996)

  <...>This observation had me in fits of laughter! Being someone who speaks three and a half languages and has lived all over the world, often with Australian and US expats, I would have to completely, thoroughly and wholeheartedly disagree... (generally speaking, of course!) What we Australians DO do is shorten words and create slang out of them, which drives me crazy at times.<...> -- Tania (Mar 2006)

  
  
• Slang words aside, some of our words are non-existent in the US. For example the term  power point [outlet] means nothing here (apart from the commercial software product). Also the boot and bonnet of the car are replaced with trunk and hood. Another example is methylated spirit that becomes denatured alcohol.
  

  <...>phrase that really seems to make people stare at you funny is if you say "Ta" to express thanks instead of saying "thanks" or "thank you" -- Len Rediske (Feb 1996)

  
  
• Words with Different Meanings to what you expect.
  

  Barbie	The only Barbie you'll find in the USA is the blonde stereotype doll. You'll have to use the whole word barbeque if you want to be understood. <...>The Aussie word Barbie for barbeque has really made its way into American lingo due to the adverts with Paul Hogan promoting tourism in Australia. "put another shrimp on the Barbie”.<...>-- Lisa Sokanoff (Jan 2003)
  Biscuit	Is a breadroll that looks and tastes more like a scone. Our biscuits are called "cookies".
  Bun	Unless referring to someones backside, you'll have to use the word "roll" (or maybe "breadroll"). In parts of Texas (at least):<...>Bun Is acceptable for bread as in 'hot dog bun', 'hamburger bun'. But a small bun offered with a meal is indeed a 'roll'. <...>-- Dean & Mickey Brown (Mar 2000)
  Caravan	This is not the mobile home you tow behind your car. But rather the car itself. In particular it is anything that resembles a van similar to a Toyota Tarago. Our caravans are called "trailers" here. <...>Don't believe I've heard Caravan used in the U.S. except refering to a line of camels trekking across the desert. Sometimes a group of vehicles traveling together are called a caravan.<...>-- Dean & Mickey Brown (Mar 2000)
  Chips	If you are after patoto chips (what the British call crisps) then you won't have problems. However you'll have to say "French fries" or "fries" if you want hot chips.
  Earth	This is a familiar planet in our solar system. The electrical variety is ground.
  Entree	Entree means main course in America, your entree will be called an appetizer. If you don't get it right, it can be very confusing.<...> -- Rawea Bennett (July 1996) So a typical restaurant meal in the Unites States will start with the "appetizer" followed by the salad if applicable followed by the "entree". In Australia we would have our "entree" first followed by the "main course" and if a salad is applicable it would normally be served and eaten with the main course.<...> -- Daron Cooke (Jun 2002)
  Fanny	Is not an offensive word in the US (unless you're offended by the word "bum"). [In Australia the word refers to another part of a female's anatomy].
  Flat	If you are using this as an adjective then its OK (e.g. flat tyre), but for the noun you'll have to say "apartment" .
  Holiday	Is short for public holiday. What we call holidays is referred to as "vacations" here.
  Jam	Is something you get stuck in. The stuff you spread on bread is called "jelly".
  Jelly	Is what we call "jam". Our wobbly dessert is called "jello" here. Clarification:  <..>“Jam” is a spread made from whole fruit, or selected parts of the fruit. For example, strawberry jam will have mashed-up whole strawberries in it or chunks of strawberries. “Jelly,” continuing with the use of strawberries as an example, is made from the JUICE of strawberries, and will be thicker and you will be able to see through it (though it will be dark red in color, as strawberries are). Both would utilize fruit pectin as a solidifying agent. The same would apply to grape jam and grape jelly. The jam would be made from mashed grapes, while jelly would be made from grape juice. I prefer jam to jelly, as it spreads on toast or bread easier. Jelly tends to be quite firm, and I tend to rip the bread when attempting to spread it. <..> -- Gregg Hanke (Nov 2002)
  Jumper	Is someone that competes in one of the leaping field events at the Olympics. What we call jumpers are referred to as "sweaters" over here. In some parts of North America a jumper is a dress-type garment with a blouse underneath, like a school uniform.
  Lemonade	Is lemon juice in water. There seems to be no generic name for the soft drink [soda/pop] that tastes like 7-Up/Sprite. Generic brands often have lemon-lime written on the label. <..>in the Midwest 7-up/sprite type drinks may be referred to as ‘White Soda’.  (I’m from California and had never heard of it until I got to Wisconsin though)<..> -- Bradford Harrington (Jan 2003)
  Lift	If you are seeking one of these you may be offered a ride, but you are unlikely to be pointed in the direction of an elevator.
  Lorry	Is a persons name (spelled differently) only - not a light truck.
  Mall	When I think of a mall I think of the Queen St Mall (in Brisbane Australia). It took me a while to realise that what Americans call a shopping mall looks nothing like this. In fact it looks just like a shopping centre. [A mall in Australia is usually a street that has been converted into something for pedestrians. Sometimes referred to as a Promenade in the US.]
  Momentarily	Americans use "momentarily" to mean "in a moment" where as Australians mean "for a moment". "We will be moving momentarily" means two different things.
  Nursing	To nurse a baby means to breastfeed it, rather than merely hold/hug it.
  Pissed	Being "pissed off" is understood. But if you say you "got pissed" they may think you got angry rather than drunk.
  Rubber	Although most Australians know the 2 meanings of this word (ie eraser & condom), I will put it in here anyway to reduce the number of emails telling me this :-)
  Root	Reader feedback again forces me to put this derogative term for sexual intercourse on the list. Americans root for their team which fortunately only means they "support it" (or "barrack for" if you are a Victorian or South Australia [Victoria and South Australia are Australian States]).
  Sandwich	Is not necessarily something between 2 pieces of sliced-bread. In fact burgers such as Big Macs are also classed as sandwiches.
  Shag	To Shag in the USA is to collect lost golf balls at a golf course. The balls are then resold back to golfers often to those who lost them. We do it too but don't have such an exciting name for it!! -- Allan Salisbury   <...>Shag refers to chasing balls in general. To "shag fly balls" is to catch and retrieve baseballs hit to the outfield during batting practice.<...>-- Dean & Mickey Brown (Mar 2000) "Shagging" is also a form of dance in the US: so if you see in the paper "Shagging Lessons" advertized in the paper, it won't be in the singles column -- Bill Farrow (June 1996). [For the American reader (who haven't seen the Austin Powers movie): "shag" is yet another word for sex].
  Tomato Sauce	Is something that goes in with spaghetti. Our tomato sauce is called ketchup.
  Torch	These objects normally have flames coming off them. Use the term "flashlight" if talking about the battery powered device.
  Trailer	This is what we'd normally call a caravan. Hence a "caravan park" becomes a "trailer park". I think Americans call our trailers a "hitch". <...>Trailer is most anything pulled behind a car or truck. Hitch refers to the connection point between the trailer and truck. [tow bar?]<...>-- Dean & Mickey Brown (Mar 2000)
  Truck	In some parts of the US this is a Ute (flatbed car, utility van).

  
  Also check out Words that could be confusing and embarrassing in the UK and US. Although it does not translate directly to Australian, a lot of it holds true - as Australia sits somewhere between the two countries in culture and language (but not geography). The link will be more useful for Americans than Australians - though Australians may find it more amusing!
  
  
• As everyone knows Americans spell words differently than the rest of the English speaking world. They spell "cheque account" as "checking account" and "car tyre" as "car tire".
  
  
• With the exception of the word "Aussie", its best to avoid our "ie" shortenings as they will not be understood:
  

  <...>"Mozzie" short for Mosquito. The phrase : "I have mozzie bites all over my body" was not understood at all. <...> -- Bill Farrow (July 1996)

  
  
• Many food items have different names in the US than they do in Australia. A really good list can be found at http://www.annabella.net/foodnames.html.  Unfortunately, it doesn't explain which country uses which words. [Its probably worth noting that, like so many other words, Australia uses a mixture of American and British names. For example we'll say eggplant instead of aubergine and capsicum instead of bell pepper.]
  
  
• Extra words:
  

  <...>one difference I have noticed between the United States and Canada is that Americans insert an extra word or two in some phrases. For example, Canadians will say that someone is "in hospital". An American will always say "in the hospital". Canadians will ask if you'd like "a coffee". An American will always say "a cup of coffee." Suprisingly, television producers haven't caught on to this... you can always tell a TV show made in Canada because even if it's supposed to be set in an American city, sooner or later one of the actors will ask another if they want "a coffee".<...> -- Jack Decker (Mar 1996) Yes, I'd say Australians are like the Canadians in this respect (donsi).

  
  
• Politeness:
  

  <...> Americans use expressions of politeness (such as "sir" or "ma'am") VERY frequently, whereas in Australia, they would be only be used, say, by a shop clerk towards the customer. Sometimes they consider you disrespectful for not referring to someone as "sir" or "ma'am". Conversely, an American girl told me that her BIGGEST cultural problem when she went to Australia was to stop using those terms.<...> -- Justin Ridge (Feb 96)

  
  
• Ordering coffee:
  

  <...> always ask for your coffee with cream, not white, unless you want some very puzzled looks.  -- Natalie Murphy (Oct 2000)

  
  
• Regional differences -Words:
  

  <...>"Barbecue" in most of the U.S. is a generic term for searing any animal fish on a charcoal grill. In many parts of the South, the term "barbecue" is reserved only for the art of grilling shredded pig along with treasured secret sauce. Thus a sign advertising "barbecue" in North Carolina means only one thing. <...>A place where you buy spirit liquor is called a Liquor Store in N.Y., a "package store" in much of New England, and a "State Store" in such places as Pennsylvania and New Hampshire that have a state monopoly on spirit sales. <...>large torpedo shaped sandwiches with numerous fillings that are popular here. Depending on the location these sandwiches are called: Torpedoes; Heroes; Hogies; Big Boys; Grinders; Blimps; Subs; Blimps McDonalds "shakes" are also called frappes and cabinets in parts of the U.S.<...> -- JOHN SAWITZKI (Feb 1996)

  <...>It seems that somewhere around Rochester, NY there is a dividing line where people change the word that refers to bubbly drinks produced by large multinational corporations. East of that line they refer to such drinks as 'sodas.' West of this line the word is 'pop.' In the south, they refer to them as Cokes -- never mind what brand of drink you are ordering. It's 'Wanna coke?' <...>-- Gregory McNair (Feb 1996)

  
  
• Regional differences - Accents:
  

  <...>the spoken tongue most easily understood by all Americans occurs in the Mid-West U.S. Thus you will find an inordinate amount of call in reservation sites and catalog businesses in Minnesota. (Colorado -- not Midwest -- also excells at this) Many Americans dislike the rapid pace and unusual accent associated with New Yorkers. As a rule, southerners speak with a much slower pace, and get to the point in a more round-about way. New York Yankees speak at an incredibly fast pace, and get to the point quickly. Likewise a deep South Arkansas accent is difficult for many to understand. Inner city black jargon and accent is unique, and at times incomprehensible to suburban whites. In my opinion, the most beautiful U.S. accent is native Virginian. The beautiful lilting tones are like poetry.<...> -- JOHN SAWITZKI (Feb 1996)

  When an “r” sound becomes part of a word like “drawring” for drawing or “Lisar” for “Lisa” this is known as an Intrusive “R”. In the USA people that have grown up in the east and sometimes the south it’s very common to hear that pronunciation. The US has 3 major dialects called Eastern, Southern, and General American one third speak Eastern, another third speak Southern and the rest speak General American. The reason is, like Australia we were settled and ruled by England so both the southern and eastern accents get their origin from the English accent.  Accents move from east to west of the country so the Eastern and Southern accents will fade the further away from those regions you get. NOTE: The Intrusive “R” does not apply to saying “warsh for wash” there’s no region in particular that this applies to. I’ve heard a minority of Americans from all over the country pronounce words like that and there’s no real rhyme or reason for it. It’s one that’s always baffled me. <...> -- Lisa Sokanoff (Jan 2003)

  
  
• Anecdotes:
  

  <...>In resturants I have often taken the question from the waiter/waitress "...and would you like soup or salad?" as "...would you like (a) super salad?" This would immediately set my imagination off, wondering what a super salad might be and would instinctively reply "Yes please" (much to the chargrin of the waiter.) -- Michael Carroll (Feb 1996)

  While in the Navy, I was a translator aboard ship for a fellow from Brooklyn N.Y. The Southerns could not understand a word he said.<...> -- JOHN SAWITZKI (Feb 1996)

  I had on one occasion visited a cafe in Niagara Falls and after starting my meal requested some more buns.I was laughed at by my host and also by the waitress. I was told by my host that the word was 'rolls'. I should have asked for more rolls not 'buns'. Buns are the rear ends of people. Imagine asking a waitress in Aus or NZ for a roll (in the grass). -- Bell Harvey (actually a Kiwi) (Feb 1996)

  "Make like a Wombat, eats roots and leaves" takes a little explaining, of course someone has taken it and Americanized it to : eats bushes and leaves. Doesn't have the same ring to it. -- Bill Farrow (June 1996)

  <...>Here in Canada there is a clothing company called "Roots Canada" that sells athletic wear and is quite popular. <...> My friend has family that lives in Australia and she sent her 12-year old cousin a sweatshirt that had "Roots Canada" emblazoned on the front. Her cousin loved the shirt but needless to say, she gets very strange stares whenever she wears it in public!.<...> -- Kim Chao (Mar 2003)  (actually Canadian)

  <...>never ceases to make me smile when Americians say..."one moment while I take my MEDS, " well Aussies all know that Meds are a Tampon brand...but obviously they mean medication to them. Made them laugh tho when I explained the difference.<...> -- Jemma Rogers (April 2003)

  My brother, sister, and some of their Australian friends were ordering beers in Hawai'i, and asked for a "jug", causing the female waiter to storm off. It was only when a male waiter came to take their order that they discovered they should have asked for a "pitcher" (an old word in Australia that is almost never used anymore). "Jugs" refers to breasts. -- Paul Gearon (Oct 2005)

  
  
• Aussies vs Americans:
  

  <...>Due to mass TV indoctrination, Aussies will understand USns just fine.. which leads us to be surprised when they can't understand us AT ALL.<...> -- Julian Elischer (Feb 1996)

  <...>Give a person an unexpected present. The American will say "Thanks!" The Australian will say "What do I owe you?" Have someone to dinner. The American will say "Come to our house next week!" The Australian will say "We must have you over sometime.." Loan a person a book. The American will say, "Here's that book I borrowed." The Australian will say, "I still have your book!" Ask a person how he is. The American will answer "Just fine." The Australian will say "Not too bad." Americans say "Yes please." Australians say "Well, I won't say no."<...> -- Jeanne O'Malley (Dec 2002)

  <...>Sorry to say this is way off the mark. The only accurate one is about the dinner, otherwise, I would have to totally disagree.<...> -- Tania (Mar 2006)

Comments from Australian readers are in green whereas comments from American readers are in red. All other opinions expressed on this page are my own and accept no responsibility for any interpretations or uses made of these opinions.