# Ozzy dialect question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260 "2002-08-04T04:05:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Motog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Motog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motog)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/61 "2002-08-09T06:49:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Princhester \* > \*\*I think **messiah** may be referring to the fact that some believe “Pom” to derive from the acronym §risoner (O)f (M)other England. > > According to that Macquarie site you linked to, though, the better explanation is that Pom derives from pomegranate, being rhyming slang for immigrant. > \*\* Besides which, as has been said many times before, acronyms are almost purely 20th Century inventions. It is extraordinarily unlikely that Pom would have been an acronym and certainly not one as far-fetched as that. ---
**Author:** ![messiah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3e96dc/32.png) [@messiah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/messiah)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/62 "2002-08-09T07:02:08Z")
**Princhester** it was your accusation of **Falchoon** perpetuating stereotypes that I was referring to as harsh. I agree that generally aussie slang has few expressions in common with English slang, however many expressions that are considered Australian rhyming slang certainly have cockney counterparts. I was under the impression that POHM was indeed an acronym for prisoner of her majesty, but after a quick search you appear correct. ``` Another reference: http://198.64.129.160/language/acronyms/pommy.htm ``` BTW I was not suggesting anything about the intentions of **Falchoons** statements apologies for any misunderstanding, apologies also for my delay in responding, I was made to complete this bloody IQ test thingy. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/63 "2002-08-09T07:13:48Z")
**Messiah** apology accepted but I don’t see that what you just said changes very much. We are having a discussion regarding Australian slang and **Falchoon** brings up the nature of the first white settlers, namely that they were convicts. How does that not perpetuate the stereotype that convict first white settlers are somehow relevant to current Australian society? Stereotype is perhaps not the right word, (mythology might be better) but nonetheless I’m sure you see my point. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/64 "2002-08-09T07:18:20Z")
Actually I should have said “somehow _particularly_ relevant to current Australian society”. As I said in my first post, I accept they may have some relevance, I just find it to be regularly overstated. ---
**Author:** ![Boris\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/65 "2002-08-09T09:20:21Z")
Does anybody know where Seppo comes from? I have been trying to think up a good joke meaning for it as an acronym but the best I could come up with was “Strange Extremely Pompous Pesky Occidental” which is neither mellifluous nor a particularly nice thing to say about Americans. It’s still better than “Fornication Under Consent of the King” though. :rolleyes: I love [http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html](http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html) . Am impressed that there are so many terms for malingering and for getting angry. Also have fallen in love with the expressions “FIGJAM” and “show pony”. ---
**Author:** ![woolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ebca7d/32.png) [@woolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woolly)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/66 "2002-08-09T13:15:56Z")
Seppo is an example of rhyming slang 😃 Seppo = septic tank = Yank ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/67 "2002-08-09T23:03:02Z")
Oh, _low_. :smack: I thougt you meant _few_, **Princhester**. BTW; does anyone ever _leave_ Australia? Like ‘move out’. Exigreate? I’ve never met a person from there who wasn’t going back. BTBTW; New Zealand doesn’t count. Does it? 😃 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/68 "2002-08-09T23:20:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by woolly \* > \*\*Seppo is an example of rhyming slang 😃 > > Seppo = septic tank = Yank \*\* Heyyy! Just for that, I’m cutting off all exports of the only decent beer (Budwiser) you mates have over there. Er, _down_ there. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/69 "2002-08-09T23:26:37Z")
Ooh ooh! I just remembered another one (American); Freebaggin’ = Not wearing underwear. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/70 "2002-08-10T00:34:33Z")
And why are Aussies always throwing shrimp at little, big-busted, American dolls? Where is everybody? Ok, I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/71 "2002-08-10T00:52:33Z")
What the hell’s shrimp? Go on, cut off our supplies of Budweiser. See if we care. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/72 "2002-08-10T01:22:39Z")
What the hell’s shrimp? Aussie slang for prawns. Cut off your supplies of Budweiser? No. That would be too cruel. But **woolly** called me a _septic tank_, an I’m tellin’. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/73 "2002-08-10T01:27:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Princhester \* > \*\*Must admit I’ve never heard of “took a scunner” either… \*\* The phrase about "taking a scunner [dislike] to something certainly works in Scotland. I live in the west of Scotland, which means that it **could** have been Irish in origin. I am inclined to think, however, that it was Scottish in origin - and it does still exist here. I am glad it does - far too often, the older terms are discarded when it is noticed that they are not used by those grand authorities. the televisonn and the radio. Sad, because it is a real and lively language that is being elbowed out. ---
**Author:** ![woolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ebca7d/32.png) [@woolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woolly)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/74 "2002-08-10T05:57:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > **woolly** called me a _septic tank_, an I’m tellin’. \*\* Now fair suck of the sauce bottle, I was only givin’ the drum to **Boris B**. Life does occasionally dish up a full toss on leg stump! ---
**Author:** ![Boris\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/75 "2002-08-10T07:34:52Z")
Okay, **woolly** , I give up… “givin’ the drum” I understand thanks to the Australian dictionary link somebody posted (thanks! can’t remember who it was … brain full of raw sewage. 🆒 ). However, I can’t figure out “fair suck of the sauce bottle” … “fair suck of the sav” is allegedly an expression of surprise but I don’t know if that’s what you mean. “full toss on leg stump” has me completely baffled. So give us the rest of the drum or write another dictionary! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/76 "2002-08-10T09:46:33Z")
Dog and bone is the most common rhyming slang I’ve heard around here (for telephone). Never heard “took a scunner”. Contrary to popular belief Aussies don’t call prawns shrimp. If anyone does that it’s Kiwis. **Mangeorge** , Because, no matter how wide or how far the roam, they still call Australia home. Anyway, between Australia and New Zealand why would you want to live anywhere else in the world? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/77 "2002-08-10T09:52:53Z")
**Boris** I haven’t heard “full toss on leg stump” used but it’s obviously a cricket expression. Normally a full toss in cricket (where the ball doesn’t bounce between the bowler and the batsman) is a bit of a free hit that’s likely to be put over the fence for six runs, maybe that’s got something to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![woolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ebca7d/32.png) [@woolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woolly)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/78 "2002-08-10T10:08:58Z")
I’d regard “fair suck of the sauce bottle” and “fair suck of the sav” as having the same meaning as “fair go”. I can’t explain the derivation. Full toss on leg stump - from cricket, a full toss on leg stump is virtually a free hit. It’s unlikely to dismiss you, and you can easily hit it almost anywhere you like for maximum runs. Sort of like in comedy or debating when a straight line is served up and the response is a devastating zinger that makes the 10 second sound bites on the evening news. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/79 "2002-08-10T16:46:00Z")
Skogcat writes: \> Contrary to popular belief Aussies don’t call prawns shrimp. O.K., the confusion here comes from the fact that there was a series of commercials in the '80’s on American TV for travel to Australia. These starred Paul Hogan and some of them had him inviting people to visit Australia and then say, “We’ll put another shrimp on the barbie.” Now, this was rather strange. “Barbie” is an Australian slang term for “barbeque” that’s not used in the U.S. “Shrimp,” though, is the standard American term for what’s always called “prawns” in Australia (and the U.K. and probably other places too). So the makers of the commercials thought it was O.K. to use one Australian term (“barbie”) that Americans wouldn’t know, but not another one (“prawn”). Apparently they thought that Americans can only be introduced to Australian slang a little at a time. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2002, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260/80 "2002-08-10T20:10:55Z")
Does there remain a point to this thread? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ozzy-dialect-question/122260.md?page=5)