Traveling is full of wonderful new experiences: the food, the sights, the sounds. And then there are the words. While you may have mastered asking for the bathroom or ordering a coffee, you'll eventually stumble upon a local phrase that stops you in your tracks. It’s that moment when someone says something that, when translated literally, makes absolutely no sense at all. You smile and nod, pretending you understand, while your brain frantically tries to figure out why someone would have a cat in their throat or want to slide on a shrimp sandwich. Every language has its own collection of bizarre and delightful idioms that leave outsiders scratching their heads. These expressions offer a playful look at how different people see the world. You might not be able to use them on your next trip, but you’ll certainly appreciate the creative ways people have found to say, "I have no idea what's going on."
Fair Dinkum
If you find yourself down under and someone asks if you’re "fair dinkum," they're not inquiring about your sense of justice or a strange new hobby. This quintessential Aussie phrase is a way of asking if you’re being genuine, serious, or telling the truth. It can also be used as a statement to emphasize that what you're saying is absolutely real. "I just saw a kangaroo hop down the main street." "Fair dinkum?" "Fair dinkum." It’s a verbal seal of authenticity that adds a uniquely Australian stamp to any conversation.
She’ll Be Right
"She’ll be right" is the unofficial motto of Australia, a phrase that embodies a deeply ingrained national spirit of relaxed optimism. When something goes wrong—whether it’s a minor inconvenience like a burnt piece of toast or a slightly more significant problem like your car breaking down in the outback—an Aussie will likely shrug and declare, "She'll be right." It’s a catch-all solution that means everything will work out in the end, even if there’s no immediate evidence to support that conclusion. It’s the verbal equivalent of a reassuring pat on the back.
Bob’s Your Uncle
This wonderfully odd phrase is the British equivalent of "and there you have it" or "it's as simple as that." It’s a verbal flourish used to signal that a task has been successfully completed. You just pop the kettle on, add a tea bag, and Bob’s your uncle—a perfect cuppa. The origin of this expression is as peculiar as the phrase itself. Many believe it dates back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert "Bob" Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, to a prominent political position. The appointment was seen as a classic case of nepotism, making "Bob's your uncle" a sarcastic way to say that success is guaranteed if you have the right connections.
It’s Brass Monkeys Out
When a British person declares, “It’s brass monkeys out,” don’t start searching the sky for flying metal primates. This is simply their colorful way of telling you that it is absolutely, bone-chillingly cold outside. On old sailing ships, cannonballs were stacked on a brass plate called a "monkey." When the temperature dropped dramatically, the brass would contract faster than the iron cannonballs, causing them to fall off.
Taking the Mickey
If you're ever in the UK and a friend accuses you of "taking the mickey," don't worry, you haven't stolen anything or anyone. This classic British expression simply means that you're teasing them or making fun of them. It's a cornerstone of British banter, where poking fun at one another is practically a national sport and often a sign of affection. An American might call it "roasting" or "giving someone a hard time," but "taking the mickey" sounds a bit more playful and a lot less confrontational.
Pop Your Clogs
Hearing that someone has "popped their clogs" sounds like a whimsical, perhaps slightly clumsy, event involving wooden shoes. In British slang, to pop your clogs simply means to die. It’s a classic example of the British tendency to discuss grim subjects with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor. Instead of "passed away" or "departed," you get an image of someone casually kicking off their footwear for the last time.
Spend a Penny
If you’re ever out in London and a local politely excuses themselves to "spend a penny," don’t assume they’re off to buy a piece of penny candy or make a very small investment. This quaint and slightly old-fashioned phrase is simply a euphemism for needing to use the restroom. It paints a picture of a transaction, which is exactly what it used to be. For decades, public toilets in the UK required a coin to unlock the door, making the act of relieving oneself a literal purchase. While you might still find the occasional pay toilet in train stations, the phrase has outlived the mechanical locks.
Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking
Of all the wonderfully descriptive phrases to come out of Australia, "flat out like a lizard drinking" has to be one of the most vivid. This phrase means they are incredibly, overwhelmingly busy. It’s the Australian way of saying "I'm swamped" or "I'm slammed," but with a much better mental image. Picture a lizard on a hot day, lying completely flat against the ground, its tongue darting in and out of the water as fast as it can. It’s a posture of intense, single-minded focus.
Mad as a Cut Snake
"Mad as a cut snake" is a phrase reserved for someone who is in a state of extreme anger, behaving wildly, or is genuinely eccentric. The image it conjures is both terrifying and slightly absurd: a snake, having just had a very bad encounter with a shovel, thrashing about in a furious, unpredictable rage. It’s a powerful and uniquely Australian way to describe a person who has completely lost their cool. It’s a step beyond being angry; it implies a level of fury that has tipped over into erratic, potentially unhinged behavior.
Carry On Like a Pork Chop
This phrase is a delightfully bizarre way of saying someone is making an unnecessary fuss, complaining loudly, or acting in a silly, over-the-top manner. It’s the perfect description for a child having a tantrum over nothing or an adult getting worked up about a minor inconvenience. The exact origin is a bit hazy, but the phrase likely plays on the idea that a pork chop, especially one left on a hot barbecue for too long, will sizzle, spit, and make a lot of noise—in other words, it "carries on." Whatever its roots, it’s a classic Aussie expression that adds a touch of culinary humor to calling out someone's dramatic behavior.
A Rise of Milk
If you hear a Quebecer say they’re having a "montée de lait," don’t offer them a glass or a baby. This phrase, which literally translates to "a rise of milk," has nothing to do with dairy production or new motherhood. It actually means to have a sudden fit of anger or outrage. It’s that moment when frustration boils over and you launch into an unexpected, passionate rant. It perfectly describes a sudden surge of emotion that feels completely involuntary, much like the biological process it’s named after.
Poking the Donut
The phrase "se pogner le beigne" is a wonderfully weird way of telling someone to stop wasting time or doing nothing. The word beigne, or donut, is a versatile piece of slang in Quebecois French. Depending on the context, it can refer to a person's backside, their head, or even a beer belly. While the literal translation sounds like you're fiddling with a sweet treat, the actual meaning is closer to "twiddling your thumbs" or "sitting around doing nothing." It’s a common and slightly exasperated command to tell someone to get off the couch and be productive.
Pull Yourself a Log
If a Quebecois host invites you to "tire toi une bûche," they are simply offering you a seat. The phrase literally translates to "pull yourself a log," which paints a charmingly rustic picture of life in the Great White North. It harkens back to a time when furniture was scarce, and a sturdy piece of wood was the best spot to rest your weary legs after a long day of work. While standard French might use the polite "asseyez-vous," this local variation makes you feel like family instantly.
Born for a Small Bread
If someone in Quebec tells you they were "born for a small bread," or être né pour un petit pain, they aren't discussing their dietary restrictions or a preference for dinner rolls. This phrase is a rather pessimistic, self-deprecating expression that means you don't expect much from life. It suggests that you were destined for small things, not greatness or wealth. Today, it’s often used ironically or by older generations to describe a lack of ambition. While it might sound a bit gloomy to American ears used to the "sky's the limit" mentality, there is a certain dark humor in accepting your fate as a small bread eater in a world full of baguettes.
