New Zealand Words
New Zealand Words
It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. Tagged since October 2007.
The following is a list of words used in New Zealand English, both shared with Australian English and unique to New Zealand English.
Shared with Australia or other countries
Bogan a derogatory term describing a person (usually caucasian) who is perceived to be uncultured, uneducated, and/or of a lower class background. (See also ‘Westie’, below. Equivalent of ‘Hillbilly’) However, ‘bogan’ is also a positive term for a fan of heavy metal music that looks the part, regardless of their background.
(bring a) plate informal on invitations to social functions it constitutes a request that people attending should arrive with a plate-full of food, because catering is not provided. Many new arrivals in New Zealand have mistaken this and turned up with an empty plate, but only once. Perhaps used more by the older generation. Shared with Australia.
Bubble and squeak – recooked leftovers.
by Jingoes/Jingles/Crickey – used also as a replacement for swearing, especially when annoyed.
chips and chippies, refer to both (UK) chips and (US) French Fries. In NZ, chippies are equivalent to UK potato crisps.
chunder, slang vomit, from “Watch out under”.
chunder mile a once popular sporting event, particularly at universities, in which participants would run a lap of a running track, eat a cold pie, scull a jug of beer, and continue until the above ‘chunder’ would occur. Now largely banned by the university authorities.
Claytons, slang adj. low-quality imitation, not the real thing. Originated in Australia. For example, a hasty, temporary repair may be only a Claytons solution to a problem. Originally from the brand-name of a non-alcoholic whisky-flavoured beverage. Generally used by the older generation. See Claytons.
crook – slang for sick or ill; as in “feeling crook”.
Dunny – slang for toilet.
Footy, slang football (usually Rugby Union, rarely League or soccer).
G’day!/ Gidday!, interj. A friendly, informal greeting, as in Australian English (From “good day”) Examples, Gidday mate. Mostly used by the older generation.
“good as gold” – Great, fine – as a form of agreement.
growl/growling/growled – telling off
Kiwi informal a New Zealander, or as an adjective instead of New Zealand. New Zealanders never use Kiwi to refer to kiwifruit. Used in foreign exchange circles to refer to the New Zealand dollar.
longdrop informal as in US “outhouse” or “portapotty”
lolly, any of various sweets (pieces of candy). Iced lollies are called “ice blocks”.
manchester household linen.
pom, n. British person, usually English. Possibly from Prisoner Of (Her) Majesty. See Alternative words for British.
ocker – slang for a person from Australia.
the rentals – used more recently as a replacement for parents. From the word parentals.
scab – verb and noun, meaning the act of (or someone) scrounging, asking for food or money.
shake a leg – hurry up.
your shout – your turn to buy – usually the next round of alcoholic drinks
smoko, rest break during work, originating in the days when smoking was a common practice and would take place during such breaks. Pronounced “smoke-o”.
super, the old age pension scheme. Contraction of “superannuation”.
sweet as/sweet, adj. fine as far as I’m concerned. The use of ‘as’ as an intensifier for adjectives has spread, for example ‘It’s cold as outside’, or ‘This summer has been hot as’. ‘Sweet as’ was, until recently with the exporting of NZ television and humour, unique to NZ.
Tazzy A name used for the Tasman sea.
tinny (also spelled ‘tinnie’) – 1. slang a tinfoil wrap containing marijuana, sold at a “tinny house”. 2. older meaning ‘lucky’, as in ‘tinny bastard’, or ‘tin-arse’. 3. slang a can of beer. 4. slang a small aluminium-hulled boat, usually unpowered.
Tin-arse used to refer to a lucky person, usually if they win something.
togs – bathing suit; swimming costume. Non-gender specific, can apply to speedos, swimming shorts, bikini, or any swimming clothing.
wag, slang v. To play truant, as in Tom’s wagging school today.
wog disease or illness
Unique to New Zealand
au – pronounced “o”, from the Mori word aua meaning “I don’t know”. Common in Northland and Gisborne.
Bach a small holiday home, usually near the beach, often with only one or two rooms and of simple construction. Pronounced “batch”. Comes from bachelor. (See also ‘crib’, below).
bay – a mutation of the common slang word “Bro”. Mostly used in and around Gisborne. Commonly combined with