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Before you visit New Zealand on locum assignment, you better brush up on some of the country’s slang to prevent any embarrassing situations. For example, while a kiwi may be a flightless bird and the country’s official mascot, it is also another name for your average New Zealander.
Kiwi’s are well known for their greetings and goodbyes and even though “g’day” may be an Aussie original that means “hello”, New Zealanders have truly made it their own. Same goes for the word “cheerio,” when Kiwi’s say it they are not talking about cereal, they are saying “goodbye.” If someone tells you they are “happy as larry,” it means they are very happy. Also, don’t get offended if somebody calls you a “hard case,” as they are only saying you are a funny person.
When you and your fellow locum tenens want to grab a bite to eat, it might help to know that chicken is sometimes called “chook,” sausage is known as “banger,” fish and chips are “greasies” and chewing gum is “chuddy.”
There is no need to get mad if you hear someone call your son or daughter a “sprog,” as this is just another way of saying “child.” If someone calls your wife or girlfriend “Sheila,” they did not get her name wrong, this is just New Zealand slang for “woman.” However, maybe you should be a little upset that kiwi’s slang for medical doctor is “quack.”