Three Aussie Phrases You Should Never Use at Work
I love Aussie slang. It can be colorful and evocative, and it reminds me of where I grew up. We once had a handyman who inserted "strewth" and "bloody oath" into every sentence. I betcha he went down the pub to shout his mates, or invite them back to watch the footy and rip into a six-pack.
A rudimentary Google search will find any number of web sites listing Aussie slang. On most of those sites you'll find multitudes of Aussie phrases inappropriate for the workplace. I'll refrain from mentioning any here.
However, there are some seemingly innocuous Aussie phrases that you should avoid using because they can erode your colleagues' confidence in your abilities.
No worries
A favorite phrase of mine, "no worries" is ingrained deep into my DNA. When talking with other Australians, I'll add "mate" to the end.
The problem with "no worries" at work is that, by using the word "worries" you suggest that there could be worries. Why would you want to implant doubt that you can get the job done?
"No worries", and its cousin "no problem", mean "I'm on it" or "I'll take care of it" or "leave it to me". Why not use one of those synonyms, instead?
Of course, "no worries" could also mean "you're welcome", probably said after the work was done. In this case, you can get away with slipping this phrase in once in a while, but don't overdo it.
She'll be right
Australians love to ascribe the personal pronoun "she" to objects ("she's a great car"). In fact, anything can be a "she" ("she's gonna be a ripper wedding" or ”she'll be right, mate".)
Following "she'll be right" with "mate" just seems more complete. Sometimes I prefer the longer, but more musical, "she'll be right on the night."
When your boss asks you if you're on track to completing the report on time, don't say "she'll be right". It doesn't instill any confidence that you can get the job done.
When I think of "she'll be right" I imagine the speaker giving the listener a firm, but friendly pat on the shoulder as he walks away, leaving the listener wondering if everything will really be alright.
Walkabout
"He's gone walkabout" means that the person in question has gone on a long trip for an indeterminate period of time (typically in the outback and on foot), or that he has gotten lost.
Imagine that your colleague has taken an extended bathroom break (i.e. he's bludging) and that the boss is looking for him. Saying that "Bob has gone walkabout" might get him into trouble.
If your boss asks you for the TPS Reports (and you can't find them) don't tell him that they've gone walkabout. It shows that you are disorganized. Instead, tell him he'll have them soon - and then find them!
But if you really don't care, you could always say, "They've gone walkabout. But, no worries, she'll be right, mate."
Yossi's Magazine: Everyone Needs One of These www.ykarp.com/magazine
Follow on Twitter: @ykarp
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A rudimentary Google search will find any number of web sites listing Aussie slang. On most of those sites you'll find multitudes of Aussie phrases inappropriate for the workplace. I'll refrain from mentioning any here.
However, there are some seemingly innocuous Aussie phrases that you should avoid using because they can erode your colleagues' confidence in your abilities.
No worries
A favorite phrase of mine, "no worries" is ingrained deep into my DNA. When talking with other Australians, I'll add "mate" to the end.
The problem with "no worries" at work is that, by using the word "worries" you suggest that there could be worries. Why would you want to implant doubt that you can get the job done?
"No worries", and its cousin "no problem", mean "I'm on it" or "I'll take care of it" or "leave it to me". Why not use one of those synonyms, instead?
Of course, "no worries" could also mean "you're welcome", probably said after the work was done. In this case, you can get away with slipping this phrase in once in a while, but don't overdo it.
She'll be right
Australians love to ascribe the personal pronoun "she" to objects ("she's a great car"). In fact, anything can be a "she" ("she's gonna be a ripper wedding" or ”she'll be right, mate".)
Following "she'll be right" with "mate" just seems more complete. Sometimes I prefer the longer, but more musical, "she'll be right on the night."
When your boss asks you if you're on track to completing the report on time, don't say "she'll be right". It doesn't instill any confidence that you can get the job done.
When I think of "she'll be right" I imagine the speaker giving the listener a firm, but friendly pat on the shoulder as he walks away, leaving the listener wondering if everything will really be alright.
Walkabout
"He's gone walkabout" means that the person in question has gone on a long trip for an indeterminate period of time (typically in the outback and on foot), or that he has gotten lost.
Imagine that your colleague has taken an extended bathroom break (i.e. he's bludging) and that the boss is looking for him. Saying that "Bob has gone walkabout" might get him into trouble.
If your boss asks you for the TPS Reports (and you can't find them) don't tell him that they've gone walkabout. It shows that you are disorganized. Instead, tell him he'll have them soon - and then find them!
But if you really don't care, you could always say, "They've gone walkabout. But, no worries, she'll be right, mate."
Yossi's Magazine: Everyone Needs One of These www.ykarp.com/magazine
Follow on Twitter: @ykarp
Follow on Google+: +Yossi Karp
Subscribe to Y. Karp? Why Not! or follow on Facebook (see the side-bar).
Add this blog to your RSS feed reader.
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