Weather and words. Language and living
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Watch Weird and Wonderful Aussie English on SBS On Demand Howie: One day, my Aussie friend said to me,
'Just put it on the hills!' Then I realised — they meant The Hills Hoist.
From my research, I've learned that Aussie English is shaped by how people live — the weather, the land, and the way we make ourselves at home. So why do Aussies talk about living the way they do?
And what does it tell us about life in Australia? Aussie homes — and our weather — have shaped how we speak. Life in Australia can be harsh and varies across the country.
In the Northern Territory, there's no winter — just different types of summer. To newcomers, Australian seasons might not make much sense.
That's because the traditional seasons — summer, autumn, winter, spring — were imported from Europe. These seasons explain how the Earth moves,
but they don't reflect what's really happening here —
when flowers bloom, when crops should be harvested,
or when to do controlled burns of bushland. Australia's Indigenous people had a 60,000-year head start observing nature.
Many had their own seasonal calendars — two, six, even eight seasons. These Indigenous seasons are based on natural signs.
Some last weeks, others span months. If you're interested, you can explore your local Indigenous knowledge sources.
Living here means adapting — especially to the weather. You might hang your washing in the bright sun
and get hit by rain 20 minutes later. The Hills Hoist has been a backyard staple since the mid-20th century.
Many Aussies now use 'Hills' as shorthand for any clothes-drying. Fun fact: In 1945, Sherry Hill complained that traditional washing lines messed up her garden.
Her husband Lance Hill created a new invention — and the Hills Hoist was born. Today we use it for drying clothes, party games, and more. Like our weather — and our slang — the Hills Hoist is always spinning.
Aussies take pride in adaptability and hard work. One iconic word is 'swagman' (or 'swaggie') —
a travelling worker from Australia's 19th and early 20th centuries. You might know them from the song Waltzing Matilda. Swagmen roamed from place to place looking for work,
carrying all their belongings rolled up in a blanket, called a 'Matilda.' After a long day of waltzing — or walking —
they'd cuddle up with their Matilda for the night.
Australia is known for casual living — and that includes party timing. If the event is a backyard barbie or a park catch-up,
the start time is often just a suggestion. If it's at a restaurant or formal venue, though — arrive on time. No matter the setting, Aussies love a good chat.
And we have some great words for that too.
The word 'yarn' likely started as a nautical term. By the mid-19th century, people in Australia and New Zealand used it to mean chatting or storytelling. For many Indigenous Australians, 'yarning' has a deeper cultural meaning. Since the 1980s, yarning circles have been a safe, respectful space for storytelling and knowledge sharing. Whether you call it a 'chinwag' or a 'yarn,'
Australians love gathering to share stories in a welcoming place. It's part of what defines our culture —
being flexible, open, and connected.
From surviving extreme climates
to inventing backyard icons like the Hills Hoist,
Aussie living shapes Aussie language. Whether we're finding ways to deal with the weather
or sitting down for a yarn, we share everything — from food to stories. And the most wonderful part?
Everyone — from locals to migrants — can be part of it. We're all shaping and sharing this unique Australian way of life.
Weird and Wonderful Aussie English Video production company: New Mac Video Agency
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