BleepingComputer.com: What is a Larrikin?

Abacus 7 wrote:

DTSM?

Have you actually ever been to Australia Zoo, Home of Steve Irwin?

I'm not sure if DTSM has been to Australia Zoo but I've been there. However, I fail to see what difference that makes to whether Steve Irwin endangered his child.

A joke??
Dang, I was getting ready to see a hippo race
I wanted to see how they got all those advertising decals to stick

This post has been edited by garmanma: 10 June 2009 - 04:33 PM

I think what Ray Abacus7 meant was, visitors are amused at the way we speak,in exactly the same way we are amused when hearing Americans speak for the first time.
"Taken aback" is the wrong word.IMO.
We all have opinions, and we should respect everyones opinion.whether we agree with their views, or not.
I have lived in Sydney for near 50 yrs, and Americans get a very warm welcome, when they arrive and during their stay.
Koan Yorel, has been here on a number of occassions, and worked here,and is well qualified to give an opinion,on the "taken aback" issue.I personally have never witnessed it. Amused at the slang,yes.

This post has been edited by DSTM: 10 June 2009 - 05:09 PM

'DSTM' wrote:

"Taken aback" is the wrong word.IMO.


Well, if we take back "taken aback", then that's another story.

@garmanma

Another perfectly good keyboard shot to hell...... beer up the nose really buuuurns.

I've seen some visitors apparently 'taken aback' at times.
Most that spend some time learn different.
It's a matter of acclimatisation to life style and surroundings.

There is always a period of adjustment, in any new Country one visits,eg currency etc.
To say "taken aback" doesn't fit,unless you guys have a different meaning.
I got out at Vienna Airport,and jumped into a taxi on the wrong side,while the driver put our luggage in the trunk.LOL
Here,Right hand Drive,there Left hand drive. Had a good laugh.

EDIT Taken Aback Meaning.
http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/taken+aback

Hardly an apt description, when visiting a Country, that speaks the Queens English.

This post has been edited by DSTM: 10 June 2009 - 08:48 PM

Since the Larrikin description seems to be a mixture between Clowns, Idiots (Less emphasis on this) and Rowdy IMO, I'm pretty sure we have plenty as well, Lots of Clowns running the UK (More emphasis on Idiot now ) currently especially the PM (I suppose this can be considered for a lot of Politicians), oh well what can we do, people in Yorkshire and Lancashire in the recent Euro Elections voted in two MEPs from the BNP (British National Party) the leader got pelted with eggs yesterday by protesters, Most parties aren't happy about it because the BNP is a far-right party considered to have some sort of hidden agenda of racism I emphasis considered because it hasn't been proven but the Media here are comparing it to a 2 finger salute to the mainstream parties MP's who have been caught in the expenses scandal which has been going on since early May, anyway went a bit off topic there.

As for the mentions by DSTM and JohnWho both saying the opposite wishing the Aussies or Americans spoke better English, I wish both the Aussies and Americans spoke better English

But overall Koans' point sums up my opinion, the acclimatisation to different life styles in different countries you'll find plenty of differences, Like from my perspective I feel the Aussies are a bunch of light hearted jokers but I haven't been to Oz so can't fully judge just on impressions from the Internet and TV, Having been to Florida before my perspective on the Americans is that they are some of the most polite and friendly people on the planet others might disagree but I feel they are because my experiences in the UK are that a few of the people here can be quite ignorant I've hardly found that with many Americans if any at all.

Also instead of "taken aback" maybe it should be described as something like curious or shock. It depends on how you feel, some people can be shocked to the surroundings and this could be in a good way or bad way, good way could be described as Awe, bad way as Intimidating. You could be curious of the new surroundings your in and want to explore and meet new people, well that's my opinion anyway.

EDIT: Oh and Koan you have just proven you are a Canuk (Canadian) now you spelt "acclimatisation" with a S instead of the American Z

This post has been edited by woodyblade: 11 June 2009 - 05:46 AM

You are right Koan Yorel, I onced worked as a Sales Agent, in a Country Area, Riverina, for a Company that also exported to many other Countries. They had many Export Reps from many Countries, including America. When those Export Reps were back in Australia, the Company used to send them out to visit the Sales Agents to impart knowledge on them. None of the Export Reps were Aussies, so it was quite funny at times, because most of the Sales Agents were.

One of them, Vince, American, was quite a character and we ended up very close Mates. On his first Visit to me, a KFC had just opened in where we were working, so he suggested we check it out. We stopped by and bought a Snack Pack each and drove to a Park to eat it. I will never forget the look on his face when he asked me how I liked it? I looked at him dead panned and said, "Not too bad for Underground Chicken, (meaning Rabbit)." Then pointed out the bone structure of what we had just eaten, still dead panned. It took him over an hour to realise that I was only joking and our friendship grew from there.

That is really what this Topic is all about.

Australian humour

"The country itself is the ultimate joke; the wave you body-surf into shore after a day at the beach could contain a shark or a rip-tide and, when you get back, your house could have been burnt to the ground in a bush fire. That's where the whole 'no worries' thing comes from."
Mark Little- actor

When first coined, the term 'Larrikin' referred to street criminals and was uttered in same breath as rapscallions, hooligans, and scallywags. In contemporary times, it is applied to anyone with an Australian sense of humour. Larrikin humour tends to be good natured, self-depreciating, and quite subtle.

Self-depracating? Not from what I have seen

Wow,had to reach for the Dictionary for that one,Pandy.

hehehe

'DSTM' wrote:

(quote}Wow,had to reach for the Dictionary for that one,Pandy. (endquote)



So, you have one of those Australian to English translation dictionaries?

"John Who" wrote:

(QUOTE) So, you have one of those Australian to English translation dictionaries? (ENDQUOTE)

Keep it right beside me.Helps me communicate, with the outside World.

Pandy wrote:

Self-depracating? Not from what I have seen

I think you hit the nail right on the head. Some people need to practice what they preach.