For a while now I've wanted to write a post about some of my favourite Kiwi words and phrases, or as I like to call them 'Kiwi-isms.' Since it's winter and my adventuring has all but ceased and been replaced with binge reading the Game of Thrones series, now seems as good a time as ever. Here goes..
Sweet as... - Followed by no explanation. When I first heard this Kiwi-ism I would pause and wait, confused. 'Sweet as what? Sugar? Pie?" I guess it's up to the listener to decide for themselves how sweet it really is. It doesn't stop with sweetness. Things can be cold as, big as, easy as. It's just as!
I'll come by your place later.
Sweet as.
Mean - It's not cruel or malicious, it's more like awesome, cool or rad.
Bro, that's a mean car!
Chur - This one still really baffles me since it means either great or terrible, depending on the context. I rely on the tone of voice to decipher and hope to see a nod or shake of the head accompany the word.
How were the waves?
Chur, broy on the tone of voice to decipher and hope to see a nod or shake of the head accompany the word.
Yeah or Nah - These words may seem commonplace enough but it's not so much the words as how often they're used and the way they're said. More like, 'Yehh' or 'Nawww' and they tend to finish sentences.
Yeeewww - One of the funnest words to yell although I'm not certain how one should spell it.
Heaps - Lots, plenty.
We got heaps of firewood.
Keen - Interested or into it. This is a word that had caught on in Tofino, but I never tire of hearing it.
If you're keen we could go for a surf.
Reckon - Used in place of the word 'think,' reckon is used constantly.
I reckon tomorrow will be a nice day.
Aw you reckon? Truly?
True - For Kiwis, this word can stand alone as a sentence and is repeated in conversations.
Also the word truly will often stand in, usually in the form of a question. (See above example.)
Pinch - Steal.
Someone pinched my car.
Feed - Describing a large meal. I like this word cause it makes me think of a bunch of pigs eating out of a trough.
I just had a proper feed.
Knackered - A good word to describe your state after the aforementioned feed. Can mean full or tired or both.
I'm right knackered.
Gutted - Heartbroken, gutt wrenched.
Piss - How such a gross word can be so versatile and appealing, I'll never understand. Someone can be "on the piss" (drunk) "taking a piss" (teasing) or "pissing around" (wasting time.) There tends to be a lot of ongoing piss talk.
Cunt - What I like about this word is that it's not as hostile as its American counterpart. It's not used to insult a woman, but rather a term of endearment.
Nah, he's a good cunt.
But there are a couple words that make me cringe. Such as,
Jandals - They're called sandals! Just switch out the J! Jandals sounds so weird and unnatural.
Togs - Bathing suit. Although points are awarded on creativity, it's just such an awkward sounding word to me.
Ta - A shortened way to say thanks. I think it would sound rather cute coming from a small child, from an adult it just sounds weird. Just say thanks. It's only 1 extra syllable...
Courgette/Capsicum - Zucchini/Bell Pepper. Working in the food industry, if I say 'red pepper' when describing a meal to someone, they will immediately assume a chilli pepper. Then I stand there struggling trying to remember which C word to use until finally blurting, "Capsicum!" to which I will receive a nod of understanding.
That's all I've got for now! What are some of you're favourite Kiwi-isms? Anything I'm leaving out?
