What is a "made-up Barry McKenzie oneliner", Peter?
When I arrived in Brisbane from USA in 1971 as a nine year old, at first I couldn't understand the local accent. Then when I found out the locals were speaking English, I needed help. Every second word seemed to be "bloody", which made no sense at all.
I know who Barry Humphries is because I saw him at Twin Towns in the 1980's, after I got my drivers license. I could appreciate Sir Les Patterson's cultural aplomb by then, but I was still shocked to see him spray the first 5 rows of the audience with beer, again and again, through exagerated aerosol emission whilst simultaneously swigging and orating.
Unfortunately, some fault in substack's IT has accidentally eliminated the two comments from Peter which wombat is replying too. Peter enjoyed the story.
Barry used to write the Bazzza McKenzie comic strip in "Private Eye" magazine in the '60s about a broad-shouldered beer-drinking Aussie in a broad hat who used some old Aussi language. Of course, being brilliant Barry he started making more up as he had to write a cartoon every week ... like Bazza calling every Australia mate "Aussie, cobber, digger, mate".
That is so hilarious! I remember ladies like Aunty Ella. You'd think they were sugar and spice and all things nice, but they were more spice than sugar! Aunties seem to have a special role to play. I know I do. They can set you straight and they don't mind doing it either. But they somehow also accept you as they find you.
Surely he was a flamin or great galoot? I actually saw this book in the op shop the other day and nearly bought it! However, as our things are in storage and we are travelling light, I had to pass on it.
I have never watched the show you refer to but pretty sure David used to be in a good band!
Great article Hugh! Yep, our indoctrination by American TV took away our own lingo, or 'we threw it away' to a large degree, especially among the younger Generation.
I agree, unless someone gets a pie in the face, they do not think it is funny. To quote you "The banal, aggressive, limited language of American popular culture – sitcoms all based on conflict – " Nowadays I know how my Dad felt about my language. I used to carry my grape box (1959) up Bald Hills Road and sit outside Gordon Fanning's barber shop on a Friday night and watch '77 Sunset Strip'. I adopted 'cool' from Edward (Cookie) Burns. Everything was 'cool' to me, and Dad used to hate my Americanisms. He was well read, and always said that language was a living thing, but would not tolerate Americanisms.
As far as Aunties are concerned, I had an Aunty Margaret, and I remember her favourite word was 'fair dinkum', like, "He came in with his muddy shoes on, fair dinkum....."
Yer, and when I was a kid and I would tell Mum how great I was, she would say, "Yes, we read about you on jam tins". Being only quite young, I didn't know what she meant until later in life.
And we used to say, "He wouldn't work in an iron lung".
I have your book "Words Fail Me". There are some pearlers in that, especially, "Beware of a man who tucks his singlet into his underpants".
I better stop, but before I do, what irks me nowadays is the ABC's adoption of Americanisms and spelling, especially the use of the word, 'gotten'. I know how Dad felt with 'Cool'. Peter Carseldine
I have to admit Peter I used to stand outside s shop in Annerley o a Friday night to watch Cookie -- so we started it!
Those live comedy shows on TV don't seem at all funny to me -- so the audience bursts into laughter every time they say f u c k. My older brother Jackie used fair dinkum so much that Mr Fogarty used to call him "Fair Dinkum"
Dozens of people have now sent me the "iron lung" phrase: it seems to be favourite memory, for some reason.
Please tell your artist David Mackintosh that his illustrations are adorable and ironic. His Aunty was a gem, waiting politely to be seated. And I'm sure everyone noted that the tv interviewers were given hot mugs of ea or coffee or hot chocolate, and you were relegated to cold water. Subtle.
I like “never borrow the sorrow of tomorrow” ( or wotevs!) I love slang of all kinds though, including Yankee. Though I am a patriot and consider ours the best. Having worked with Barry Humphries on one of his stage shows in Perth ( I was Sandy Stone’s better half… a shadowy figure in a bed onstage… not too taxing on the acting skills!) I enjoyed the fun Barry always had with Aussie-talk ( Aulde Australian!) A couple I picked up from older pals along the way: “Stop your noddy blunsense!” and “I’m that weak, I couldn’t knock the skin off a rice puddin’! Mr Puniverse!”
My 100-year-old dad referred to gay men as “fast walkers!”
( I wonder the origin of “cove” as a derogatory term for a bloke? ) I quite enjoy “”PIG’S ARSE!” for occasional vehement disagreement!! And “nong” is beaut too. As is “beaut!”
Well Hugh it is good that you wrote the books “Lost for Words” and “Words Fail Me” so the younger and future generations will know how we once spoke.
The story of how Aunty Ella would meet her sister Norma at the Shingle Inn brought back memories of how on special occasions my parents would take me to the Shingle Inn for lunch. Of course we like Aunty Ella “had to be dressed up to the nines”.
Every Brisbaneite loved to eat at the Shingle Inn. Even General Douglas MacArthur used to lunch there with his wife and son while over-seeing the War in the Pacific.
One of the Christian Brothers who taught me at St Mary's Boys Technical School, Geelong, in the early 1950s warned us off ever using the word 'gotten', so I never have. But now it's everywhere! All my kids use it, even my lady friend, who's on the wrong side of 85 (I'm on the right side and not game to pull her up on it).
As for the 'f' word, I don't find it in the least bit funny so never watch those stand-up 'comedy' shows. It has completely lost its shock effect, is not humorous and just lowers my opinion of the mental condition of the performer. When I was 11, it was used on me by a gang of boys (probably proddos), so when I got home I asked Mum what it meant. She didn't explain but threatened me with having my mouth washed with soap if I used it again, so I haven't (well, except in rare moments of extreme stress). I suspect it has some connection with fannies and rooting, but not as the Americans use them.
So true Peter -- and even when you watch the BBC News from London they say "gotten" and "meet with" and "different to" and "try and" -- all the US things you would have failed an English examination for in the 1950s -- yet now half of the country has a University degree!
It seems the more educated we have become the sillier everyone is.
Very enjoyable article to read, Hugh! I remember going to the Shingle Inn in Brisbane and I could picture in my mind Aunty Ella and Norma enjoying a visit there. Sadly American culture has displaced so many traditional Australian ways of talking that are at risk of disappearing if not used. When I was younger a 'bush walk was never referred to as a 'hike'
Another great read, Hugh! I met a young man recently who put in quite an effort to use descriptive and interesting words when he spoke - it displays a mind that refuses to think like everyone else. I reckon he will go far!
What is a "made-up Barry McKenzie oneliner", Peter?
When I arrived in Brisbane from USA in 1971 as a nine year old, at first I couldn't understand the local accent. Then when I found out the locals were speaking English, I needed help. Every second word seemed to be "bloody", which made no sense at all.
I know who Barry Humphries is because I saw him at Twin Towns in the 1980's, after I got my drivers license. I could appreciate Sir Les Patterson's cultural aplomb by then, but I was still shocked to see him spray the first 5 rows of the audience with beer, again and again, through exagerated aerosol emission whilst simultaneously swigging and orating.
Oh!
https://sirlespatterson.com/publications/the-complete-barry-mckenzie/
Unfortunately, some fault in substack's IT has accidentally eliminated the two comments from Peter which wombat is replying too. Peter enjoyed the story.
Barry used to write the Bazzza McKenzie comic strip in "Private Eye" magazine in the '60s about a broad-shouldered beer-drinking Aussie in a broad hat who used some old Aussi language. Of course, being brilliant Barry he started making more up as he had to write a cartoon every week ... like Bazza calling every Australia mate "Aussie, cobber, digger, mate".
That is so hilarious! I remember ladies like Aunty Ella. You'd think they were sugar and spice and all things nice, but they were more spice than sugar! Aunties seem to have a special role to play. I know I do. They can set you straight and they don't mind doing it either. But they somehow also accept you as they find you.
Very true Aunty Helen, very much unlike uncles ... in my experience!
Surely he was a flamin or great galoot? I actually saw this book in the op shop the other day and nearly bought it! However, as our things are in storage and we are travelling light, I had to pass on it.
I have never watched the show you refer to but pretty sure David used to be in a good band!
Good correction Adrienne -- you're right it was always "a flamin' galoot".
David would have gone well in a rock band, I reckon.
Actually, I thought about it afterwards. I feel flamin went more with galah in hindsight. What do you think?
Yes, you're tricking me up Adrienne. You were either a stupid galoot or a flamin' galah! But you couldn't be both.
Great article Hugh! Yep, our indoctrination by American TV took away our own lingo, or 'we threw it away' to a large degree, especially among the younger Generation.
I agree, unless someone gets a pie in the face, they do not think it is funny. To quote you "The banal, aggressive, limited language of American popular culture – sitcoms all based on conflict – " Nowadays I know how my Dad felt about my language. I used to carry my grape box (1959) up Bald Hills Road and sit outside Gordon Fanning's barber shop on a Friday night and watch '77 Sunset Strip'. I adopted 'cool' from Edward (Cookie) Burns. Everything was 'cool' to me, and Dad used to hate my Americanisms. He was well read, and always said that language was a living thing, but would not tolerate Americanisms.
As far as Aunties are concerned, I had an Aunty Margaret, and I remember her favourite word was 'fair dinkum', like, "He came in with his muddy shoes on, fair dinkum....."
Yer, and when I was a kid and I would tell Mum how great I was, she would say, "Yes, we read about you on jam tins". Being only quite young, I didn't know what she meant until later in life.
And we used to say, "He wouldn't work in an iron lung".
I have your book "Words Fail Me". There are some pearlers in that, especially, "Beware of a man who tucks his singlet into his underpants".
I better stop, but before I do, what irks me nowadays is the ABC's adoption of Americanisms and spelling, especially the use of the word, 'gotten'. I know how Dad felt with 'Cool'. Peter Carseldine
I have to admit Peter I used to stand outside s shop in Annerley o a Friday night to watch Cookie -- so we started it!
Those live comedy shows on TV don't seem at all funny to me -- so the audience bursts into laughter every time they say f u c k. My older brother Jackie used fair dinkum so much that Mr Fogarty used to call him "Fair Dinkum"
Dozens of people have now sent me the "iron lung" phrase: it seems to be favourite memory, for some reason.
Please tell your artist David Mackintosh that his illustrations are adorable and ironic. His Aunty was a gem, waiting politely to be seated. And I'm sure everyone noted that the tv interviewers were given hot mugs of ea or coffee or hot chocolate, and you were relegated to cold water. Subtle.
I'm very pleased you noticed how good my illustrator is -- he is a Brisbane bloke who lives in London now where he is a sought-after illustrator.
I like “never borrow the sorrow of tomorrow” ( or wotevs!) I love slang of all kinds though, including Yankee. Though I am a patriot and consider ours the best. Having worked with Barry Humphries on one of his stage shows in Perth ( I was Sandy Stone’s better half… a shadowy figure in a bed onstage… not too taxing on the acting skills!) I enjoyed the fun Barry always had with Aussie-talk ( Aulde Australian!) A couple I picked up from older pals along the way: “Stop your noddy blunsense!” and “I’m that weak, I couldn’t knock the skin off a rice puddin’! Mr Puniverse!”
My 100-year-old dad referred to gay men as “fast walkers!”
( I wonder the origin of “cove” as a derogatory term for a bloke? ) I quite enjoy “”PIG’S ARSE!” for occasional vehement disagreement!! And “nong” is beaut too. As is “beaut!”
Some great ones there Cackles -- at this rate i'll have to do a third book.
I once had lunch with Barry in Brisbane in '70s at Milano rying to explain Queenlsand too him -- his replies had me falling off my chair.
Well Hugh it is good that you wrote the books “Lost for Words” and “Words Fail Me” so the younger and future generations will know how we once spoke.
The story of how Aunty Ella would meet her sister Norma at the Shingle Inn brought back memories of how on special occasions my parents would take me to the Shingle Inn for lunch. Of course we like Aunty Ella “had to be dressed up to the nines”.
Every Brisbaneite loved to eat at the Shingle Inn. Even General Douglas MacArthur used to lunch there with his wife and son while over-seeing the War in the Pacific.
Personally, I loved the waffles!
Hugh
They definitely made the best waffles.
One of the Christian Brothers who taught me at St Mary's Boys Technical School, Geelong, in the early 1950s warned us off ever using the word 'gotten', so I never have. But now it's everywhere! All my kids use it, even my lady friend, who's on the wrong side of 85 (I'm on the right side and not game to pull her up on it).
As for the 'f' word, I don't find it in the least bit funny so never watch those stand-up 'comedy' shows. It has completely lost its shock effect, is not humorous and just lowers my opinion of the mental condition of the performer. When I was 11, it was used on me by a gang of boys (probably proddos), so when I got home I asked Mum what it meant. She didn't explain but threatened me with having my mouth washed with soap if I used it again, so I haven't (well, except in rare moments of extreme stress). I suspect it has some connection with fannies and rooting, but not as the Americans use them.
So true Peter -- and even when you watch the BBC News from London they say "gotten" and "meet with" and "different to" and "try and" -- all the US things you would have failed an English examination for in the 1950s -- yet now half of the country has a University degree!
It seems the more educated we have become the sillier everyone is.
Hugh
You got(ten) that right, Hugh! You nailed all my pet hates. Apart from Proddos, that is.
THAT'S A JOKE, HUGH.
Very amusing Peter!
Hugh
Very enjoyable article to read, Hugh! I remember going to the Shingle Inn in Brisbane and I could picture in my mind Aunty Ella and Norma enjoying a visit there. Sadly American culture has displaced so many traditional Australian ways of talking that are at risk of disappearing if not used. When I was younger a 'bush walk was never referred to as a 'hike'
I've added your "bush walk" to my collection of forgotten old Australianisms Peter.
As I'd forgotten that myself. As you know, I'm still collecting them even tho I've written two books totalling 750 pages on our lost language.
Hope I one day get to add to the collection. But I am 83!
Another great read, Hugh! I met a young man recently who put in quite an effort to use descriptive and interesting words when he spoke - it displays a mind that refuses to think like everyone else. I reckon he will go far!