Fair dinkum: Aussie phrase sparks in-flight dispute
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"Our initial reports indicate it was more than a misunderstanding of the language," said SkyWest spokeswoman Marissa Snow. "We witnessed aggressive behavior throughout the flight."
Having observed some of my fellow nationals abroad at times (and run, at times... ) it would not surprise me if there is any truth in the comment that there was "aggressive behavior throughout the flight" by Ms Reynolds.
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Join Date: May 2002
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You have to be so careful in the USA, even with "normal" English words, never mind Australian phrases.
Whatever you do, NEVER EVER particularly around Aircraft, say you have a torch in your bag.
Whatever you do, NEVER EVER particularly around Aircraft, say you have a torch in your bag.
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Can you imagine how upset they'd get if we told them to "go and get bored, reamed, blued and honed!!!!"
talking about "spitting the pink dummy"
Mike
talking about "spitting the pink dummy"
Mike
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I recall only two international (!) incidents. (How protected am I?).
Arrival at Heathrow in November 2005 when 5,000 of us were patiently waiting to get through the burning hoops... and where was the only loudmouthed PITA from? The other was the last time I was checking out, patiently with other guests at the 4 Seasons Sydney and where was the middle aged lady (OK I am being excessive) who just walked right up in front of everyone, by deciding she was more special than all of the rest of us from?
Neither were arrested but both deserved a thorough slapping. Both were exercising normal behaviour and both were obnoxious.
It seems that a small town in Texas has more than one idiot. The few embarrass the many but some many have more than a few.
Arrival at Heathrow in November 2005 when 5,000 of us were patiently waiting to get through the burning hoops... and where was the only loudmouthed PITA from? The other was the last time I was checking out, patiently with other guests at the 4 Seasons Sydney and where was the middle aged lady (OK I am being excessive) who just walked right up in front of everyone, by deciding she was more special than all of the rest of us from?
Neither were arrested but both deserved a thorough slapping. Both were exercising normal behaviour and both were obnoxious.
It seems that a small town in Texas has more than one idiot. The few embarrass the many but some many have more than a few.
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Passport line at LCY last night; one choke point, but then 3 desks handling all comers. Not a huge queue, just off one Quadrapuff, but I was about 1/4 from the front and this young Oriental lady swans past (Vuitton bag in hand, of course) to the front, and pushes in.
Then, as I'm 3 from the front, a large man (not Australian but rather from a cheesy mountainous land) comes down to the front, sees my furrowed brow and makes some excuse about there not being any WCs between gate and passport control... like most of the rest of us weren't in the same predicament!
Then, as I'm 3 from the front, a large man (not Australian but rather from a cheesy mountainous land) comes down to the front, sees my furrowed brow and makes some excuse about there not being any WCs between gate and passport control... like most of the rest of us weren't in the same predicament!
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And what ever you do, DON'T get onto a plane anywhere, bump into your old mate Jack sitting there in 6C as you pass by and say a friendly "Hi J@@@" to him.
Shootable offence, that one...... (then again, it really could be kind of fun - I reckon you could sue someone's fanny/tush/a$$ if they kicked you off)
3 cops on arrival for saying an innocuous phrase? Tell me there's more to it.
Another reason why I'll never be inspired to holiday in the States again.
The emperor is not wearing any clothes, you know. Do you hear?!
Shootable offence, that one...... (then again, it really could be kind of fun - I reckon you could sue someone's fanny/tush/a$$ if they kicked you off)
3 cops on arrival for saying an innocuous phrase? Tell me there's more to it.
Another reason why I'll never be inspired to holiday in the States again.
The emperor is not wearing any clothes, you know. Do you hear?!
Moderator
Americans and Aussie: joined by a common heritage; divided by a common language!
Once when asked "how's your day been?" by a shop assistant in the USofA, I replied, "Not too bad thanks."
A puzzled look came over the face of the US local...."oh I'm sorry to hear that."
A puzzled look came over the face of the US local...."oh I'm sorry to hear that."
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Buggery
I got a ticking off from my boss here in the Caribbean for describing a broken engine as buggered. Where hes from its another word for sodomy and thus deeply offensive here. Where Im from its a perfectly mild term to describe something thats f****d and has little to do with back to front nude sport. Cultural relativism I believe the pointy headed ones describe it as. Or maybe just bad manners...
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Johnny K: Try "knackered" and see what response you get 
This language 'drift' works the other way too. On the infrequent occasions that I watch TV news, I have to listen carefully to a story to determine if the reporter is talking about a "tourist" or a "terrorist". Sometimes, even from the general tenure of the story, it's hard to tell. And it begs the question: if a group on holiday is intent on causing death and destruction are they "tourist terrorists" or "terrorist tourists"? Say that 5 times, quickly.
Heaven help anyone travelling in the USA who calls someone "shag" or "sheepshagger". Immediate lynching?
OK, officer, I'll go quietly...
Le Vieux
This language 'drift' works the other way too. On the infrequent occasions that I watch TV news, I have to listen carefully to a story to determine if the reporter is talking about a "tourist" or a "terrorist". Sometimes, even from the general tenure of the story, it's hard to tell. And it begs the question: if a group on holiday is intent on causing death and destruction are they "tourist terrorists" or "terrorist tourists"? Say that 5 times, quickly.
Heaven help anyone travelling in the USA who calls someone "shag" or "sheepshagger". Immediate lynching?
OK, officer, I'll go quietly...
Le Vieux
Evertonian
"Bugger me!"...
What do you think would have happened to me at the airport when I arrived...?
What do you think would have happened to me at the airport when I arrived...?
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time to get out me old copy of Bazzer McKenzie.............
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071196/quotes
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071196/quotes