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Australianisms Trivia Quiz

Over the past 40 to 50 years, Australians have lost a treasury of terms. Television, books, movies and political correctness have all been responsible for giving Aussie kids a whole new language. Just how well do you know true Australian?

A multiple-choice quiz by support5. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
support5

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
231,229

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1678

Last 3 plays: Guest 175 (9/10), Jane57 (9/10), Guest 1 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "I haven't got a zack to my name." In pre-decimal currency, how much was a "zack"? Hint

a penny

a shilling

a farthing

sixpence

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Question 2 of 10

2. If an Australian called you a "bit of a drongo", what would he be implying you were? Hint

a good shot

a fool or idiot

a fast runner

a snappy dresser

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Question 3 of 10

3. If an Australian girl was told, "It's snowing down south," what would it mean? Hint

That her petticoat was showing below her dress hem

That her stockings were crooked

That she had dandruff

That her shoes had holes in them

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Question 4 of 10

4. If your actions are incredibly silly, an Australian might tell you that you are as "mad as a cut (what)"? Hint

Dog

Finger

Snake

Sausage

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Question 5 of 10

5. If you lived a long way away, you lived "beyond the (what)"? Hint

Last tree

Never-never

Black stump

Shearer's shed

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Question 6 of 10

6. If a person is told,"You wouldn't shout if a shark bit you," what did he/she mean? Hint

You are particularly brave

You're tight-fisted/miserly

You have a high pain threshold

You are numb

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Question 7 of 10

7. If an Australian asks you, "What do you do for a crust?" What does he mean? Hint

Where do you get your bread?

Who cooks your meals?

How do you get fed?

What is your occupation?

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did being "a sandwich short of a picnic" imply? Hint

Short of food

A bit mad/stupid

Short of money

Being homeless

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Question 9 of 10

9. During the depression when food was scarce, many people lived on "underground mutton". What was "underground mutton"? Hint

Stolen sheep

Rabbit

Any meat which could be bought on the black market

Roadkill

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Question 10 of 10

10. Now for a real corker! If your best mate "whiteants" you, what has he done? Hint

Caused you to crash your car

Stolen your girlfriend

Knocked you over

Eaten your snag

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 19 2024 : Guest 175: 9/10
Apr 06 2024 : Jane57: 9/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 1: 10/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 1: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "I haven't got a zack to my name." In pre-decimal currency, how much was a "zack"?

Answer: sixpence

The term "zack" was popular in the 40s and 50s. Other money terms were a "2 bob" -2 shillings, a "trey bit" - threepence and a "deener" - a shilling.

2. If an Australian called you a "bit of a drongo", what would he be implying you were?

Answer: a fool or idiot

A drongo is a bird of the crow family which has its habitat in south-east Asia and Africa.

3. If an Australian girl was told, "It's snowing down south," what would it mean?

Answer: That her petticoat was showing below her dress hem

Women wore petticoats (usually white), or at least half-slips under their dresses. If the slip dropped below the level of the hemline, "it was snowing down south."

4. If your actions are incredibly silly, an Australian might tell you that you are as "mad as a cut (what)"?

Answer: Snake

A cut snake performs some incredible gyrations which appear quite ridiculous. hence "as mad as a cut snake". The phrase is also used to describe someone whose behavior when outraged by some event shows a similar lack of focus.

5. If you lived a long way away, you lived "beyond the (what)"?

Answer: Black stump

There is supposed to be a black stump past the town of Bourke in far west New South Wales.

6. If a person is told,"You wouldn't shout if a shark bit you," what did he/she mean?

Answer: You're tight-fisted/miserly

The term "shout' in this case applies to buying something for someone; for example, if there are two or three people drinking together, they are in a shout. They take turns in paying for the round of drinks. If someone wouldn't shout if a shark bit him, he is loath to pay his way in the "shout".

7. If an Australian asks you, "What do you do for a crust?" What does he mean?

Answer: What is your occupation?

This expression became common during the depression years when jobs were scarce and food even scarcer.

8. What did being "a sandwich short of a picnic" imply?

Answer: A bit mad/stupid

Many such terms were used to imply a lack of sanity or stupidity. "His lift doesn't go all the way to the top floor" and "He's missing a few marbles" were just two more.

9. During the depression when food was scarce, many people lived on "underground mutton". What was "underground mutton"?

Answer: Rabbit

During the depression, Australia was infested with rabbits. Catching rabbits became as much a job as a pastime.

10. Now for a real corker! If your best mate "whiteants" you, what has he done?

Answer: Stolen your girlfriend

The whiteant is a termite. They are so technically clever, that they can eat into a piece of painted timber and leave the paint in the exact shape of the timber,so that you are unaware the wood has been eaten. As with your best mate sneaking under your guard and stealing your girl and you know nothing about it till they get married.

Source: Author support5

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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