Another recent visitor to New Zealand recently wrote that one of the best parts of visiting here is that they speak a language that's almost the same as English. There are a host of phrases that make Kiwi a patois all its own. Here are some of our favorites. This is very important, since you will probably hear us using some of these when we return, and we want you to know what we're talking about!
I haven't heard this word used so often since Davey Crockett faded from popularity. Used as Americans would use "suppose," or "guess," as in "I reckon it won't be long before the election is called."
Pronounced "good on yer." Like Americans would say "good for you." But a more all purpose phrase to congratulate someone on anything. "I caught a trout today." "Good on you!"
Like flabbergasted. "I was gobsmacked by the All Blacks' trouncing of England."
To throw off balance. "The conservative attack on race-based preferences completely back-footed the Labor leadership."
This can mean "fancy," as in "He drives a flash car." But it can also be used like "sudden," as in "They were caught off-guard by the flash poll."
Like surprising: "A shock poll this week showed that the public is totally against the proposals."
Kiwi English has a tendency to reverse some phrases from the way Americans say them. For instance, policy wonks worry about the "take up" rate of benefits, where in America we might be worried about the uptake.
Like inventory. Kiwis routinely do a "stock take" to assess where they are. Stores announce "stock take" sales.
Someone very accomplished.
To turn in, or rat out, another. "He dobbed in his mate for cheating on his taxes."