Moon Quaker Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I work at a hotel (in the USA.) An Australian couple approached me to inquire about price differences between two styles of rooms.--------------start conversation-------------Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer* [than the Y rooms](*I heard what sounded to be "dearer" in an Australian accent; he could have, very well, been saying something entirely different.)Me: I'm sorry, what?Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer?Me: Dearer?[interjecting] Aussie Woman: Are the X rooms more expensive?-------------end conversation---------------Obviously whatever word the man was using meant "more expensive." But for the life of me I can't figure out what he was actually saying. Are there any Aussies here who can shed light on the matter? Link to comment
blackstrap Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 An object can be 'dear to the heart' of someone,meaning it has great value to that person.Hence the concept of 'dear-ness' meaning-to have a great(er) value money wise. Link to comment
Calm Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 "dear" is a term used for "expensive.high-priced; expensive: The silk dress was too dear.....at a high price: That painting cost me dear.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dearWould not be surprised if it's been used with the -er suffix somewhere. Link to comment
Bernard Gui Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 BottlerPrangBlueyPrezzieSnagTall poppyCockie cruncherBanana benderCheerioOzSepticsDiggersMossiesMintiesPom Link to comment
Aspasia Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 The wife was right. Asking which room is 'dearer' means which room is 'more expensive'.We use the word 'cheap' meaning it costs less...and 'dear' for something that is expensive. 1 Link to comment
Moon Quaker Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 It's kind of funny, but many-a times I've heard the phrase that something "...cost me dearly ..." In this usage, I have always understood the meaning. Perhaps it's because I've metaphorically interpreted the "dearly" usage simply to mean "It cost me [an arm and a leg]" rather than a countable monetary value. Whereas, when the gentleman asked me if it was "dearer," he literally meant "more expensive." I have just never heard it used in that manner before. But now I know.Thanks for the answers. :-) Link to comment
volgadon Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I dunno, I've heard the usage frequently. 1 Link to comment
noel00 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 "Throw a snag on the barbie" Place a sausage on the barbecue"I'm stuffed" I am full or I am tiredfootie - football game"The olds" my son-in laws reference to his wife's parents."cobber" - friend"mate" friend, usually male Link to comment
KevinG Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 My favorite Aussie contribution to culture: Link to comment
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 (edited) I work at a hotel (in the USA.) An Australian couple approached me to inquire about price differences between two styles of rooms.--------------start conversation-------------Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer* [than the Y rooms](*I heard what sounded to be "dearer" in an Australian accent; he could have, very well, been saying something entirely different.)Me: I'm sorry, what?Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer?Me: Dearer?[interjecting] Aussie Woman: Are the X rooms more expensive?-------------end conversation---------------Obviously whatever word the man was using meant "more expensive." But for the life of me I can't figure out what he was actually saying. Are there any Aussies here who can shed light on the matter?Here in the South we many words in old English are are made fun of...see you over Younder. Edited July 15, 2012 by Bill “Papa” Lee Link to comment
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 My favorite Aussie contribution to culture: You have love classical music. Link to comment
Bernard Gui Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 Bottler...fantasticPrang...car accident fixed at a prang shopBluey..blue eyes and red hairPrezzie...a presentSnag...sausageTall poppy...someone who appears to be self-aggrandizingCockie cruncher...flip flopsBanana bender...QueenslanderCheerio...a small sausageOz...AustraliaSeptics...AmericansDiggers...infantrymenMossies...MosquitosMinties...yummy mint candiesPom..EnglishmanIn Queensland, I you say you are stuffed, it means you are pregnant.Bickies...cookiesNappies...diapersMuso...musicianLollies...candyServiette...table napkinSack...to be fired from a job (not something to put things in)Biro...ball point penTuck shop...cafeteriaRipper...really greatJumper...sweaterWog...a Greek personUte...a pickup truckLoo...toiletBonzer...excellentTrue blue...real, genuineTogs...swim suitWinge...whine or complainI love Australia and Ozzies.Bernard Link to comment
frederick44 Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 There has always been a larrikan ethos among Australians. We do not mind people being rich, just do not like them thinking they are better than us (hence the tall poppy syndrome). Our politics on the whole is to the left of America. We have universal health care (public and private options). Our economy at the moment (thanks to the mining boom etc) is the envy of the world. Our Prime Minister often if being driven alone will get in the front seat with his driver. Billionaire Kerry Packer liked to drink with the Labor members of Parliment because he claimed they were not as boring as the conservatives. Link to comment
Stargazer Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 I work at a hotel (in the USA.) An Australian couple approached me to inquire about price differences between two styles of rooms.--------------start conversation-------------Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer* [than the Y rooms](*I heard what sounded to be "dearer" in an Australian accent; he could have, very well, been saying something entirely different.)Me: I'm sorry, what?Aussie Man: Are the X rooms dearer?Me: Dearer?[interjecting] Aussie Woman: Are the X rooms more expensive?-------------end conversation---------------Obviously whatever word the man was using meant "more expensive." But for the life of me I can't figure out what he was actually saying. Are there any Aussies here who can shed light on the matter?This isn't Aussie -- you'll get the same from Brits. I lived in England for a few years, and the Aussies talk like Brits with some differences -- and insist that they don't talk like Brits at all. 1 Link to comment
Somebodyz Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 This isn't Aussie -- you'll get the same from Brits. I lived in England for a few years, and the Aussies talk like Brits with some differences -- and insist that they don't talk like Brits at all.Being a Brit, I have to say, those Aussies, don't talk like us. We do have may of the same words, but those Bruces and Sheilas have a whole load of their own too.Dearer, is a Brit word too. Link to comment
Aspasia Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 In Queensland, I you say you are stuffed, it means you are pregnant.BernardPretty good list! Except for the one above...I'm not sure why, but some of the American missionaries who come to Australia say they have been told at the mission home never to say "I'm stuffed" at the end of a meal at someone's home What it really means is in your previous definition..."I'm stuffed" = "I'm tired" or "I've eaten too much food". Link to comment
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