01-28-2005, 06:06 AM
ShadowHM,Jan 27 2005, 03:41 AM Wrote:Another NZ anecdote from too far back in my past to recollect where I read it had the words 'laundry detergent' mean 'washing powder'It's amusing to see it in reverse. I often marvel at how such common daily things would not be understood overseas. It's strange to think that Americans haven't heard the delightful voice of Bic Runga, or that if I start talking about Number eight, it's to do with ingenuity (The cultural fable here is that a Kiwi can use number eight fencing wire to fix/invent anything).
University was a good chance to see how much 'foreigners' find strange. The news here reports every car crash, every housefire, every murder... with a population of 4 million, they aren't that frequent... I can only imagine how far removed the average American is from the news stories.
Are any of these terms understood?
"Pulling your leg"
"Such a dag"
I've also heard, but can't comprehend, that Hokey Pokey icecream is only available in New Zealand http://p.vtourist.com/1148067-HokeyPokey_I...New_Zealand.jpg