jandals, tiki tour and togs?
Just because a country has the same official language, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll understand everything that is said. Intrepid’s Kim Bowden helps us untangle the local lingo in New Zealand…
“New Zealand slang has developed over time from such a diverse mixture of backgrounds that it is sometimes difficult to establish exactly which colloquialisms are originally from New Zealand! However, be assured that all of these listed words and phrases are used with regularity throughout New Zealand. Hopefully they will help give you a better understanding of what your Kiwi mates are really trying to tell ya!…
Pakeha – non-Maori person
Tiki tour – scenic tour, take the long route
Jandal – thongs, sandals, flip-flops,
Jumper – sweater, jersey
Togs – swimsuit, bathing costume
Bach – holiday home
Crib – bach – used in the South Island
Bring a plate – means bring a dish of food to share
Duvet – quilt, doona
Fizzy drink – soda pop
Footie – rugby union or league, as in “going to watch the footie”
Sweet as – good, okay, very good
And some tips to help you enjoy the local food:
L&P: short for Lemon and Paeroa, L&P is New Zealand’s very own iconic soft
drink. Traditionally it was made by combining lemon juice with carbonated spring water from the small North Island town of Paeroa. Now manufactured by multi-national, L&P can be found only in New Zealand. It’s advertising slogan sums up how much Kiwis love their soft drink: “World Famous in New Zealand”.
Pineapple lumps: a favourite local sweet or lollie since their creation in
1935, Pineapple Lumps are bite-size chunks of marshmallow flavoured with real
pineapple juice and coated in chocolate.
Hokey Pokey Ice-cream: small pieces of toffee are added to vanilla-flavoured
ice cream to create a flavour only on offer in New Zealand. Best enjoyed
melting down the sides of a waffle cone on a hot summer’s day!
Pavlova: this meringue-based dessert, usually served slathered with cream
and kiwifruit is a perennial Kiwi favourite. Named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova, the origins of this delicious dessert are hotly
contested (Australia also lays claim to inventing it) – but any New Zealander will tell you the ‘Pav’ is definitely a Kiwi invention!
Feijoa: hailing from South America, the feijoa was a fruit introduced into
New Zealand in the 1920s. The ideal climate here means they thrive and are a
common backyard fruit and although not often recognised by other nationalities, most Kiwis grow up eating plenty of feijoas. Feijoas are can be used in baking and can be made into wine.”
Tour New Zealand with Intrepid on trips like these great small group adventures:
Northern Highlights – 14 days
Auckland Explore – 7 hours Urban Adventure
Tramping is Kiwi for bushwalking or trekking and plenty of places to enjoy it in NZ.
Jumper, togs, bring a plate, fizzy drink, footie – this is Aussie lingo just as much as Kiwi. Though footie is footy and can mean Soccer, AFL, League or Union, depending on your game of preference.
The Kiwis had better grainy breads years ahead of us.
But fair go, the Pav is definitely Australian! Isn’t it? OMG even Wikipedia agrees imy favourite childhood dessert is probably Kiwi. I’m crushed.
We had an episode with those kiwi jandals. My partner broke a rib because he was wearing them while trying to get an Evil Cow out of our olive grove!