Speaking Kiwi

Here are some colloquialisms or kiwi-isms that you can use when you visit New Zealand:

Across the Ditch – across the Tasman Sea
Afghan – a chocolate flavoured biscuit with icing on top
Agro – aggravated, aggressive
Ankle biter – small child, toddler
Bach – small holiday home or beach house
Barbie – barbeque
Biro – ball point pen
Bloke – a man
Bro – male friend or brother
Dairy – corner store
Flat – an apartment
Flatmates – people who live together in a flat or house
Fortnight – two weeks
Footy – rugby
Grotty – dirty
Heaps – a lot
Hottie – hot water bottle
Jug – kettle
Knackered – sleepy or exhausted
Metal road – gravel road
Pashing – kissing
Pong – bad smell
Rattle your dags – hurry up
Scarfie – university student
Section – plot of land
Shout – to buy something for everyone
Skint – short on money
Smoko – short break from work which usually involves smoking
Stuffed – tired
Togs – swim suit
Winge – complain
Yak – chat or talk

Pictured: A traditional Maori marae.