That time I realised I’d become fluent in rural speak…

A few weeks back, I caught up with a city-based friend I hadn’t seen in ages.

We were having a good old conflab over a few bevvies when she made a startling observation (you can see where I’m going here right…).

It seems my language and turns of phrase have changed quite a bit since I moved to the country. So much so that my friend exclaimed she needed a dictionary to understand half of what I was saying!

So for a bit of fun, I thought I’d share some of my new phrases with you.

Just down the road: the phrase used to describe any place located between 10 minutes and one hour away.

In country time: similar to the term ‘island time’, this phrase is used to describe the timing of something that happens veeeeeeeery sloooooooowly, like getting a tradesperson out to your place.

The other day: the reference commonly used for any time in the last 12 months or so.

Old Mate: a term used when you’re telling a story that involves someone you’re vaguely connected with but don’t personally know.

Hoppy Hour: the name given to the time period just before dusk when every kangaroo in the world is out and about. Avoided as much as possible if you need to drive somewhere.

No llama: related to the term ‘drama llama’, this phrase is commonly used to confirm something is not a problem.

Go all Steve Irwin: a special term used to describe an effort to relocate or rescue wildlife.

Hit the frog: our lazy version of the phrase ‘hit the frog and toad’, meaning to hit the road, leave.

And on that note… I’ll see you Ron!