Aussie Shopping List Baffles Canadian TikToker

Buzz Feed

a day ago

Much like our slang, people around the world have realised that Aussie names for certain items are seemingly random (or rather, misunderstood).
I promise, there's actually some logic behind most nicknames and shorthand for things.
Although Alexandra Tuohey was armed with a list of what to buy, and some extensive knowledge on Australian vernacular after living here for a few years, what her hubby was asking for was still unclear.
She was stumped by a few Aussie faves like Up&Go, a liquid breakfast drink, and the concept of "Tasty cheese".
"How am I supposed to know which one you think is tasty?" she asked in the video.
However, the item name that not only confused her, but other Aussies too, was "a bachelor's handbag" — which refers to a roast chicken often sold at the supermarket in a tote-shaped plastic bag.
A pre-cooked chook is a regular meal in most Australian households, especially when you don't know how to cook or can't be bothered cooking — a common assumption imposed upon bachelors/single men. The roast chicken can be served in a few different ways, but most favour it torn up and shoved into a roll with some store bought salads, like potato, coleslaw or pasta.
Some weren't aware of its alternate term — even feeling confused about why the nickname has more syllables than the original name.
Others denied the existence of such a title.
Which made people to come to its defence — leaving the comments divided.
Although, the debate about the use of "bachelor's handbag" wasn't settled, the comment section became a learning opportunity for anyone that came across it!
"Trackie daks" are tracksuit pants, regardless of material.
If someone asks for "dead horse" from the supermarket, they want "tomato sauce".
Apparently "dead horse" rhymes with "tomato sauce".
And of course, the pokies (or slot machines) are also referred to as "pensioner's piano" and/or "tradie's laptop". Not strange at all, right?
Regardless of how you refer to things around Australia, one thing is for certain — you're never going to know all of the slang. If you do, please enter a competition or write a book.
Which slang words confuse you?