Kiwi-speak 101

During my time in New Zealand, I've been keeping track of all the words/phrases people use here that I found amusing. So listed below are the Kiwi terms with my American English translation. Enjoy :)

.NZ - Pronounced en-zed. The letter "zee" does not exist in Kiwi's vocabulary. When reciting a website it's always "dot co dot en-zed."

Keen - Probably my favorite NZ word
Example: If you're keen, I'd like to take you to dinner tonight. OR Should we get lunch now? I'm keen!

Translation: Are you down to do this? OR I'm down.

Jeepers - an exclamation that may or may not be used only by my supervisor Tim

Example: Jeepers! That bus almost hit us!

Translation: There is none. I'm pretty sure the last time that word was used in the States was during the making of the Scooby Doo cartoon.

Heaps - used to describe amounts of things

Example: I have heaps of work to get done.

Translation: I have tons to do today!

Cheers - used for almost EVERYTHING

Example: Can you get this done for me? Cheers. (Leaving) Cheers! (Making a joke) Cheers!

Translation: Thank you, goodbye, etc.

As at - seen in Financial statements

Example: Loans as at 30/06/11

Translation: Loans as of 6/30/11

Lollies - Did the lollypop guild song just pop into anyone elses' head?

Example: Pinapple lumps?! Look everyone, Kaitlin just brought us some lollies!

Translation: No, Pinapple lumps are not a kind of lollypop. Lollies = any kind of candy

Pash - Not to be confused with posh

Example: I'm not going to pash just anyone!

Translation: Make-out, snog, mack on

Twink - No, this is not referring to the Rainbow Brite Character

Example: Can you pass me the twink? Cheers!

Translation: Twink = white-out

Flash - No, not that kind of flashing...

Example: Wow, your flat is so flash.

Translation: Hip, cool, fancy

Sweet as - Sweet as what? No. It's just sweet as. (can be used with anything - cool as, sweet as, flash as...)

Example: That outfit is sweet as!

Translation: Take the "as" off the phrase and that's what it means

Ta - I still can't use this one without feeling awkward

Example: Can you pass me that lemonade? Ta!

Translation: Thanks!

Well, I hope you were keen to read this and thought it was sweet as. I have heaps to get done so I have to end this blog post. I'll probably post about all the other flash things I did in NZ after I get back to the states.

Cheers!