Australian Culture: Are We Crazy Or Is It Just Me

[3stan]

I've noticed a few things about my country, and at this stage in my life I figure I should just clarify a few things about where I come from and exactly where it sits in the grand scheme of things.

Do American news reporters and politicians drop semi-archaic American slang into random sentences in an attempt to seem like common people? Like, this current affairs program just did a story on how drunk people are violent, and all through the story the reporter was referring to the drunks as 'yobbos'. It's like reporters and speechwriters take their formally written speeches and runs it through a filter changing random words into slang.

Is 'fuckwit' a common term outside of Australia? I've heard Americans in particular prefer 'fucktard', but I could have sworn I picked it up from the internet, but then I heard people on TV say it and now I don't know what to think.

Finally, does anyone at all refer to something bad as 'shithouse'? If not, you should, it's great.

[TDK]

A shithouse is an outdoor toilet. Stop destroying your own culture by making up new meanings for things. :(

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Breaking News: TDK opposes the advancement of culture.

[Mr.Bookworm]

VINDICATION.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Australia doesn't have a culture beyond getting hammered then stealing things.

[Flarecobra]

And dealing with wild animals.

[Osterbaum]

Boning wild animals maybe.

e: wait no that's New-Zealand

[TDK]

Breaking News: TDK opposes the advancement of culture.

Of australian culture, yes. They can't escape the trappings of their own heritage. They're all destined to be criminals.

[Aerozord]

Do American news reporters and politicians drop semi-archaic American slang into random sentences in an attempt to seem like common people? Like, this current affairs program just did a story on how drunk people are violent, and all through the story the reporter was referring to the drunks as 'yobbos'. It's like reporters and speechwriters take their formally written speeches and runs it through a filter changing random words into slang.

Depends on context. Easiest way to put it is in any reporting, speech, or journalism courses they tell you flat out to avoid slang in any form. So regardless of whether or not its used, academically we view it as a tool for hacks.

[Flarecobra]

Boning wild animals maybe.

e: wait no that's New-Zealand


No, it's not New Zealand. I know a few people from there.

Might be Sweden though.

[Aerozord]

No, it's not New Zealand. I know a few people from there.

Might be Sweden though.

Come on guys know your stereotypes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wCgx8zM3woQ#t=193s)

[Magus]

I dunno, there was this Australian guy from Tasmania on the Colbert Report last week (I think), he was pretty awesome seeming so I'm now convinced Australians are all pretty awesome.

Like I can't even remember what he was being interviewed about, it seemed to be entirely based around showing that Australians are really awesome, so there you go.

[3stan]

Man, you guys, I stay off the internet for twelve hours.

A shithouse is an outdoor toilet. Stop destroying your own culture by making up new meanings for things.

Are you kidding? Squidging up words is like 90% of what we do.

Depends on context. Easiest way to put it is in any reporting, speech, or journalism courses they tell you flat out to avoid slang in any form. So regardless of whether or not its used, academically we view it as a tool for hacks.

That basically vindicates my view of Australian journalism, so thanks.

Of australian culture, yes. They can't escape the trappings of their own heritage. They're all destined to be criminals.

I'd be offended by this, but i basically spent today jaywalking, downloading movies, and murdering and eating my friends so I guess I can't say anything.

I dunno, there was this Australian guy from Tasmania on the Colbert Report last week (I think), he was pretty awesome seeming so I'm now convinced Australians are all pretty awesome.

Like I can't even remember what he was being interviewed about, it seemed to be entirely based around showing that Australians are really awesome, so there you go.
That can't be right. I'm from Tasmania, it's shithouseAHAYOUSEEWOTIDIDTHERE

[Arhra]

I dunno, there was this Australian guy from Tasmania on the Colbert Report last week (I think), he was pretty awesome seeming so I'm now convinced Australians are all pretty awesome.

Like I can't even remember what he was being interviewed about, it seemed to be entirely based around showing that Australians are really awesome, so there you go.

HELLO

Anyway, just popping in to link Douglas Adams' informative primer on Australia (http://www.jumbles.com/douglas_adams.htm).

It's pretty snazzfairy!

[RickZarber]

Also see: Riding the Rays (http://www.douglasadams.com/dna/980707-08-a.html).

Every country is like a particular type of person. America is like a belligerent, adolescent boy, Canada is like an intelligent, 35 year old woman. Australia is like Jack Nicholson. It comes right up to you and laughs very hard in your face in a highly threatening and engaging manner. In fact it's not so much a country as such, more a sort of thin crust of semi-demented civilisation caked around the edge of a vast, raw wilderness, full of heat and dust and hopping things.

Tell most Australians that you like their country and they will give a dry laugh and say 'Well, it's the last place left now isn't it?', which is the sort of worrying thing that Australians say. You don't quite know what they mean but it worries you in case they're right.

Just knowing that the place is lurking there on the other side of the world where we can't see it is oddly unsettling, and I'm always looking for excuses to go even if only to keep an eye on it.