Rather than a form of fashion whimsy, Australians take their thongs seriously. Even the naming of them — after the structural make-up of the shoe’s fastening rather than the onomatopoeic “flip flop” used by other countries — flies in the face of the Australian preference for shortened diminutives and nicknames.
In this post
What do Australian call thongs?
flip-flops
In the USA a thong is a piece of underwear. In Australia, it’s what they call flip-flops. Sometimes they also call them “double-pluggers”.
Why do we call them thongs?
“Thong” comes from words meaning “restraint,” according to The Oxford English Dictionary, and was originally a narrow strip of leather used to secure something. (In the case of thong underwear, not much restraint is required.)
What does thong in Australia mean?
flip flop
One of the most infamous Australian idiosyncrasies is the word for flip flop: the ‘thong’. Not to be confused with the buttock-cleaving variety, the Aussie version comprises a rubber sole held to the foot by two straps that meet between the first and second toes.
Did thongs originate in Australia?
After all, the Thong is an Australian icon promoted loudly by Kylie Minogue who rode one into the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. But the truth be told, they are not Australian. “[They] were actually first created by a Kiwi in New Zealand in the early 1930s.
Why are Brits called poms in Australia?
Australians have been using the word freely since its probable emergence in the late 19th century as a nickname for English immigrants, a short form of pomegranate, referring to their ruddy complexions.
What is ketchup called in Australia?
tomato sauce
Ketchup is underrated. We call it tomato sauce in Australia.
What do Aussies call swimsuits?
bathers
bathers – the most common term in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and occasionally in other states. From bathing suit. boardies – short for board shorts. cossie or cozzie – from “swimming costume”; usage of this name is generally restricted to New South Wales.
What do you call a man thong?
String or thong: DGU describes a design with a very fine back strap as a string, but if it’s wider, then a thong, but these are mostly interchangeable. HOM Plume G-String.
Why do Australians say mate?
The Australian National Dictionary explains that the Australian usages of mate derive from the British word ‘mate’ meaning ‘a habitual companion, an associate, fellow, comrade; a fellow-worker or partner‘, and that in British English it is now only in working-class use.
Why do Australians swear so much?
Swearing: Swearing is more common in Australia than in many other cultures. Television programmes are less censored and mainstream society is largely desensitised to words that foreigners may find vulgar. It is normal to hear an Australian swear at some point during a conversation.
Why do Aussies call English pommies?
“Whinging poms” is just part of the vernacular. The most common explanation is that it’s a reference to Australia’s past as a convict colony. “Pom” is supposedly a bastardised acronym, meaning “prisoner of Mother England” or “prisoner of Her Majesty”.
What do Australians call tomato paste?
Ketchup in Australia is called tomato sauce.
What is marinara sauce called in Australia?
I’m starting to get the impression that marinara is the term more used in the US, while napolitana means the same thing in Australia (here, marinara tends to refer to a seafood sauce whether it contains tomato or not).
What do British call tomato sauce?
ketchup
The British also refer to their ketchup is as ‘tomato sauce’, which can often mean fresh passata in Italy.
What is Australian slang for girl?
sheila – woman or female.
What do Australians call chips?
In Australia, chips can refer to ‘hot’ chips; fried strips of potato. Chips also refer to what are known in other countries as crisps.
What is the most Australian word?
The 25 most common Australian slang words
- See ya this arvo – See you this afternoon.
- Being dacked – When someone pulls your pants down.
- Give a wedgie – When someone pulls your pants up your bum.
- Dunny – toilet, bathroom – D’ya know where the dunny is, mate?
Does wearing a thong feel good?
Many women agree that wearing a thong makes them feel comfortable, especially when wearing yoga pants, jeans, shorts or skirts. There is a perfect balance of comfort and freedom when wearing a thong, so if you pick the right fit and fabric, you are golden.
What is McDonalds called in Australia?
Macca’s
McDonald’s research found that 55 per cent of Australians called the company Macca’s and they have submitted the word to the Macquarie Dictionary for consideration. It’s an Australian habit to abbreviate names.
Why do Aussies say Sheila?
It was initially used in Australia to refer to a woman of Irish origin, but from the late 19th century onwards it became a general term for a woman or girl. It probably derives from the generic use of the (originally Irish) proper name Sheila.