# Aussie slang and Men at Work **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967 "2011-06-18T20:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/101 "2011-06-21T04:56:34Z")
> [@Bewildebeest](#): > > According to my neighbor, glow means fart. That’s where the thunder comes from. My neighbor says only men fart, women glow. I wouldn’t put much credence into that one. I think\* the thunder is the crowds of people coming to get a piece of Australia. \*Based on no evidence whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Jaguars](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaguars/32/5879_2.png) [@Jaguars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaguars)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/102 "2011-06-21T05:28:56Z")
What an odd thread for a flame war. **Gary “Wombat” Robson** , I reckon your guess about the ‘women glow’ thing is pretty much on the money. You aren’t going to hear that in everyday speech down here but i think most people would know what you are talking about. My interpretation of the thunder bit - Coming as it does in a chorus describing the land down under, I see it as simply implying Aussie is a wild place where you could be fried by lightning or drowned in a once-in-100-years flood. Sadly, I haven’t been writing in to reputable etymological jounals everytime I learned something about the dialect I have heard for 24 years so I don’t have a cite, just my opinion 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/103 "2011-06-21T05:46:40Z")
> [@Jaguars](#): > > My interpretation of the thunder bit - Coming as it does in a chorus describing the land down under, I see it as simply implying Aussie is a wild place where you could be fried by lightning or drowned in a once-in-100-years flood.) That makes sense. Of course, back in my day we had once-in-100-years floods every damned year. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/104 "2011-06-21T07:28:20Z")
> [@Jaguars](#): > > My interpretation of the thunder bit - Coming as it does in a chorus describing the land down under, I see it as simply implying Aussie is a wild place where you could be fried by lightning or drowned in a once-in-100-years flood. Quoth Wikipedia quoting Songfacts quoting Colin Hay: > [@](#): > > The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the over-development of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It’s really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It’s really more than that Me, I think it’s bollocks and he just went for an easy rhyme 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/105 "2011-06-21T10:38:09Z")
> [@samjones](#): > > I’m not being allowed to argue my side for fear that I might be subjected to the wrath of some molderator. You are being allowed to argue your side, and you’re moving toward “wrath” territory regardless. I don’t care what the song means, but your only solid point is #1. With #2 and #3, you’re just being difficult. #4 doesn’t mean much either way. You’ve made your point and it’s time to move on. ---
**Author:** ![samjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@samjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samjones)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/106 "2011-06-21T15:46:59Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > There is but this isn’t the case here. > > My claim is that those elements were restrained after the warning. And looking back, I maintain that. Let’s explore. Thanks for the show of support. There are a number of things that you have to keep in mind when you’re exchanging posts with the Entitlement Generation. 1. They think that if it’s on Wikipedia then it’s true… period. 2. You’re not talking to a person. You’re talking to a Facebook page. You have to keep in mind that the poster already made up his mind and was told he is 100% right be everyone he knows before he ever bothered to click that “Reply with Quote” button. 3. The Entitlement Generation thinks that the moderators are there to serve them and keep them safe from the world. It’s the future of the Toobz. Better to get used to it sooner. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/107 "2011-06-21T15:52:59Z")
What is this “entitlement generation” bullshit, gramps? I’m in my 40s, as is at least 1 other poster who pointed out your error that I know of. We’re pointing and laughing at you because you ignore _the songwriter’s own published lyrics_ (because you’re sure he’s not the webmaster of his site, which has nothing to do with the issue) and keep arguing you’re right when you’ve been proven wrong. You know who refuses to admit they’re mistaken? _Entitled_ people. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/108 "2011-06-21T15:54:55Z")
> [@samjones](#): > > Thanks for the show of support. > > There are a number of things that you have to keep in mind when you’re exchanging posts with the Entitlement Generation. > > 1. They think that if it’s on Wikipedia then it’s true… period. > **2. You’re not talking to a person. You’re talking to a Facebook page. You have to keep in mind that the poster already made up his mind and was told he is 100% right be everyone he knows before he ever bothered to click that “Reply with Quote” button.** > 2. The Entitlement Generation thinks that the moderators are there to serve them and keep them safe from the world. > > It’s the future of the Toobz. Better to get used to it sooner. Hahahahahahaha! And said with no sense of irony whatsoever! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/109 "2011-06-21T15:58:21Z")
> [@samjones](#): > > 1. The Entitlement Generation thinks that the moderators are there to serve them and keep them safe from the world. No, we’re here to keep the board safe from jerks like yourself. You’ve been posting here for a month, gotten three formal warnings and several other notes, and made no effort to improve. You’re banned. Perhaps you can use your newfound free time to track down Colin Hay and ask him what the song is about. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/110 "2011-06-21T22:07:37Z")
Add another one to the list of “oddest threads to stage an implosion in”. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/111 "2011-06-21T23:26:08Z")
By the way, does anyone know about that dumb lawsuit with the Kookaburra Song? Is that still going on? Did it end? What’s the latest? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/112 "2011-06-21T23:35:57Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > By the way, does anyone know about that dumb lawsuit with the Kookaburra Song? Is that still going on? Did it end? What’s the latest? The owners of the Kookaburra Song were awarded 5% of all royalties from Down Under, dating back to 2002, and also 5% of all future earnings from Down Under. A tidy sum, but nowhere close to the 40 to 60% they were originally claiming. > **[Down Under (song) | Copyright lawsuit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Under_(song)#Copyright_lawsuit)** > > In 2007, on the ABC-TV quiz show Spicks and Specks, the question was posed, "What children's song is contained in the song 'Down Under'?" The answer, "Kookaburra", a song whose rights were owned by Larrikin Music, resulted in phone calls and emails to Larrikin the next day. Larrikin Music subsequently decided to take legal action against Hay and Strykert, the song's writers. > Sections of the flute part of the recording of the song were found to be based on "Kookaburra", written in 1932 by Marion ... ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/113 "2011-06-21T23:46:22Z")
beaten by 【b】Cochrane!【/b】 ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/114 "2011-06-21T23:48:00Z")
> [@BigNik](#): > > Add another one to the list of “oddest threads to stage an implosion in”. Yep. What **BigNik** said. I speak as an Aussie who’s sung along to Men at Work for years without really digging deep into the meaning of the lyrics. I didn’t think it was possible to get banned via Cafe Society. Folks here are generally much calmer than that. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/115 "2011-06-22T00:38:57Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > … > I didn’t think it was possible to get banned via Cafe Society. Folks here are generally much calmer than that. My closest calls of getting pitted have been in CS. Between Oprah and 3D, I’m lucky to still be officially unpitted. I have always loved the song, even though I couldn’t figure out the meaning. And now, for some reason, I also have the taste for the song Africa by ToTo. I have no clue why I associate those songs together. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/116 "2011-06-22T00:49:30Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > My closest calls of getting pitted have been in CS. Between Oprah and 3D, I’m lucky to still be officially unpitted… I mostly read this board, posting not so much. I guess the subject matter tends to be stuff I wouldn’t get riled about. Music, TV, books - yeah, I can see why people would have differences of opinion but enough to almost warrant a Pitting? Weird. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/117 "2011-06-22T01:07:49Z")
> [@Jaguars](#): > > I reckon your guess about the ‘women glow’ thing is pretty much on the money. You aren’t going to hear that in everyday speech down here but i think most people would know what you are talking about. Generational change? The “proverb” that “horses sweat, men perspire and ladies glow” is something I associate with my mother’s generation (born late 30s) or even her mother’s generation… a bit of throwback linguistic etiquette… by the 70s it was the sort of thing my mother would say with a grin after getting inarguably \*sweaty \*doing gardening. (NZ rather than Oz tho). ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/118 "2011-06-22T01:15:54Z")
Indeed, which puts the band Hay in precisely the demographic that would have had heard this expression from their mothers. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/119 "2011-06-22T04:29:32Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I also have the taste for the song Africa by ToTo. I have no clue why I associate those songs together. I associate them too! Those two, and Tarzan Boy. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967/120 "2011-06-22T05:11:14Z")
Sorry, an “and” seems to have got lost along the way, there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-slang-and-men-at-work/585967.md?page=7)