What the heck is a Bogan?
August 7th 2008 07:24
Pardon my ignorance. I feel as though I should be able to discern the meaning from the context in which it has been used, but for the life of me, I can't....Help me out, Aussies! What the hell is a Bogan?
I know most Orblers are Australian, and I've gathered that this is some sort of slang term. I see it used fairly regularly...and I kind of like the sound of it! I want to use it in my daily language, and dazzle my fellow Americans with my colorful and unique words from abroad. I want to steal it from you, Aussies...if only you will tell me what it means!
Here's my deal with you. I'll share some colloquialisms from my neck of the woods, and you can use them. You don't even have to give me credit! Just tell me what a Bogan is...will you?
Whilst searching for information on the elusive Australian Bogan, I found this picture...
What I can deduce from this photo is that a Bogan is a young man in maybe his mid 20's who enjoys the finer things in life. He is efficient in his sensible decision to drink two beers at once, thus saving a second trip to the bar, but he is also a cautious soul, and takes care not to catch a chill from the ice cold cans. He avoids this dangerous encounter with cold aluminum by utilizing mismatched beer cozies, which also help to identify left from right. Or, perhaps he is simply a man of unparalleled generosity, and is offering a few drinks to the photographer.
He also seems to be a sport enthusiast, with his game of choice being of the velcro ball dart variety. He has a keen eye for fashion, and displays a dashing bit of hairy man-cleavage, careful not to display too much skin, but just enough to leave us wanting more. And just when your eye begins to wander south, it is quickly drawn back up to his cherubic face by way of the flashy gold chain. And the hair...well let's just say, if this is your Bogan, I'll take two!
I realize that I could probably do a bit more research and find the exact definition by Googling "Bogan" but I thought it would be far more informative to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, if you will.
And now, here are the promised gems of American slang, that you can use to impress your friends,and confound your enemies. You're welcome!
A Horse a Piece.
This phrase is used when comparing two things that you have determined have equal value. For example, "Which blog do you prefer, Beta Girl or Daydreams and Diversions? Hmmm. I'd say they're about a horse a piece."
Uff-da!
This phrase is pretty specific to the upper midwestern United States. (my neck o' the woods) It is Norwegian in origin, and is basically and exclamation of sensory overload. As in, "Uff-da! That is one fine looking Bogan!"
So common in the Upper Midwest is this phrase that it was actually used by Barack Obama when he visited Grand Forks, North Dakota. All of us in the crowd delighted to hear "our word" being used by Obama, even if he did sound pretty silly saying it.
Kittywompus
This is a personal favorite of mine, and it tends to mean something is crooked, askew, chaotic, or messy. One could say, "The state of Natalie's computer desk is rather kittywompus!"
Honyocker
This is another Midwestern word, and it is difficult to define, but it basically refers to someone who is local, usually a farmer. Mostly, it is used to describe someone who is from a rural area. I.E. "Check out that Honyocker over there playing velcro ball darts!"
The Whim Whams
This is one my mother likes to use a lot. It is generally used in the context of a condition felt by someone who has the jitters or who is nervous or somewhat frightened. An example would be, "That bogan over there definitely does NOT give me the Whim Whams!"
Well there you have it. I hope that I have helped you broaden your linguistic horizons.
So, now all I have left to ask is...What the heck is a Bogan?
I know most Orblers are Australian, and I've gathered that this is some sort of slang term. I see it used fairly regularly...and I kind of like the sound of it! I want to use it in my daily language, and dazzle my fellow Americans with my colorful and unique words from abroad. I want to steal it from you, Aussies...if only you will tell me what it means!
Here's my deal with you. I'll share some colloquialisms from my neck of the woods, and you can use them. You don't even have to give me credit! Just tell me what a Bogan is...will you?
Whilst searching for information on the elusive Australian Bogan, I found this picture...
So...Bogan=Awesome??
What I can deduce from this photo is that a Bogan is a young man in maybe his mid 20's who enjoys the finer things in life. He is efficient in his sensible decision to drink two beers at once, thus saving a second trip to the bar, but he is also a cautious soul, and takes care not to catch a chill from the ice cold cans. He avoids this dangerous encounter with cold aluminum by utilizing mismatched beer cozies, which also help to identify left from right. Or, perhaps he is simply a man of unparalleled generosity, and is offering a few drinks to the photographer.
He also seems to be a sport enthusiast, with his game of choice being of the velcro ball dart variety. He has a keen eye for fashion, and displays a dashing bit of hairy man-cleavage, careful not to display too much skin, but just enough to leave us wanting more. And just when your eye begins to wander south, it is quickly drawn back up to his cherubic face by way of the flashy gold chain. And the hair...well let's just say, if this is your Bogan, I'll take two!
I realize that I could probably do a bit more research and find the exact definition by Googling "Bogan" but I thought it would be far more informative to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, if you will.
And now, here are the promised gems of American slang, that you can use to impress your friends,and confound your enemies. You're welcome!
A Horse a Piece.
This phrase is used when comparing two things that you have determined have equal value. For example, "Which blog do you prefer, Beta Girl or Daydreams and Diversions? Hmmm. I'd say they're about a horse a piece."
Uff-da!
This phrase is pretty specific to the upper midwestern United States. (my neck o' the woods) It is Norwegian in origin, and is basically and exclamation of sensory overload. As in, "Uff-da! That is one fine looking Bogan!"
So common in the Upper Midwest is this phrase that it was actually used by Barack Obama when he visited Grand Forks, North Dakota. All of us in the crowd delighted to hear "our word" being used by Obama, even if he did sound pretty silly saying it.
Kittywompus
This is a personal favorite of mine, and it tends to mean something is crooked, askew, chaotic, or messy. One could say, "The state of Natalie's computer desk is rather kittywompus!"
Honyocker
This is another Midwestern word, and it is difficult to define, but it basically refers to someone who is local, usually a farmer. Mostly, it is used to describe someone who is from a rural area. I.E. "Check out that Honyocker over there playing velcro ball darts!"
The Whim Whams
This is one my mother likes to use a lot. It is generally used in the context of a condition felt by someone who has the jitters or who is nervous or somewhat frightened. An example would be, "That bogan over there definitely does NOT give me the Whim Whams!"
Well there you have it. I hope that I have helped you broaden your linguistic horizons.
So, now all I have left to ask is...What the heck is a Bogan?
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Both come from Mockyville
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by Cheryl J
Funny Videos
Rhythmatism
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Budget Centsability
My best way of describing a Bogan would be by comparing them to American Po White Trash. They can be recognised by their ugh boots, mullet hairdos, female bulging stomachs hanging over tight pants with crop tops. They drink wine coolers and name their children monikers with clever (meaning bad) spelling or something they've made up such as Schappelle, Ch'nille, Aleesha, Braydon etc.
Also they have a bad habit of shortening names and adding a 'zza' at the end. Barry becomes Bazza, Sharon becomes Shazza, Daryl becomes Dazza and so on.
I was so lucky to be saddled with a Bogan name but if anyone calls me Chezza, I will immediately take out a hit on them. I hear Nomad can have anyone beaten up for $500!!!
Hope that helps
Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah
"That dog won't hunt"-which basically means that idea won't work. Now that I live above the Mason Dixon line, people have no clue what I'm talking about when I say that!
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Lola, I'd like to visit the south and learn more about the language and culture, unfortunately, that dog just won't hunt!