There are many countries whose English is their official language, however surprisingly they have their own unique slang and idiom. I love the face that sometime native speakers don't understand each other when it comes to talk about slang and idiom.
I remembered one time i said a word Dunny to an Aussie tourist i met on the bus. He was surprised and couldn't believe i know this slang. I could see how much appreciation he had for me. Then, again I called a New Zealander Kiwi. The reaction was the same.

So. i have an idea. It would be great if you guys ( native speakers of different countries) write at least one or two of your slang or idiom. So together we will have a long list of slang and idiom and i can learn and see how many of them i already know. Please also cite where the slang or idiom are from.

"Play it by ear."
Derived from being able to play music simply by hearing what others are playing and joining in/matching it. Means to not have a premade plan, but to just adapt as the situation changes.

Usage:
GenMac: "What do you want to do tonight?"
OD: "Not sure. Lets just go have a drink or two at _____ bar and then play it by ear from there."

Locale:
America, but I believed used in many other English speaking countries as well.

(This is one I hear a lot of Americans use quite often, without realizing how absurd this must sound to people who interpret it literally.)

Samouth, I thought you might enjoy this. It's not original, it's from an Australian comedian - can't remember which one.

Australians like to run their words together into one word: "Owyergoinmate?" (How are you going, mate?)

They then like to follow up with another question to show they care: "Owyergoinmateyergood?" (How are you going mate? are you good?)

And then confirm it with a positive response: "Owyergoingmateyergoodyeah?" (How are you going mate? are you good? yeah.)

And then finish it with their thoughts on the matter: "Owyergoinmateyergoodyeahgood" (How are you going mate? Are you good? Yeah? Good.)

We used to tell each other to "avagoodweekendmate" (Have a good weekend, mate) but an advertising company stole that, and we don't do it as much now.

I have a book of Khmer idioms loosely translated into English I just can't lay my hands on it.

The only one off the top of my head is a literal translation of

building a fence after buffalo run

or, in English.....

locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I know more, but I'm pissed as a rat.

An expression I like is "thick as..." It's a bit tricky because it's used to give two completely different meanings.

1. to be "as thick as thieves" means to be very close to someone; people who share secrets. Can refer to good friends
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/diction ... as-thieves
You can use this expression in polite society.

2. to be "as thick as a brick" means to be really stupid.
There are a lot of colourful variations on this expression: "thick as pigshit", "thick as two short planks", "thick as pea-soup".
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/diction ... ort-planks
You can also use "thick as" by itself, meaning really stupid. Eg;" That guy's as thick as ! " (This is really slang.)

By the way,this sort of stupid refers to someone who is not very intelligent in the opinion of the speaker, but not stupid as in silly,funny or wacky; someone of limited intelligence. It is quite an insulting thing to say about someone, and you would never say it to their face. (Unless you want to get punched. Try telling Stroppy that he's "thick as". )

Both uses are British English as far as I know.

Anchor Moy wrote:An expression I like is "thick as..." It's a bit tricky because it's used to give two completely different meanings.

1. to be "as thick as thieves" means to be very close to someone; people who share secrets. Can refer to good friends
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/diction ... as-thieves
You can use this expression in polite society.

2. to be "as thick as a brick" means to be really stupid.
There are a lot of colourful variations on this expression: "thick as pigshit", "thick as two short planks", "thick as pea-soup".
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/diction ... ort-planks
You can also use "thick as" by itself, meaning really stupid. Eg;" That guy's as thick as ! " (This is really slang.)

By the way,this sort of stupid refers to someone who is not very intelligent in the opinion of the speaker, but not stupid as in silly,funny or wacky; someone of limited intelligence. It is quite an insulting thing to say about someone, and you would never say it to their face. (Unless you want to get punched. Try telling Stroppy that he's "thick as". )

Both uses are British English as far as I know.

Both heard in America as well, but the second one less often... more often "Dumb as" is used... as in "Dumb as a post", or "Dumb as a doorknob".

Here's a small introduction to Kiwi (New Zealand) words and slang for you...

Lesson 1: Popular Kiwi words

Kiwi – Can refer to either a New Zealander, or the country’s national bird. For the fruit, we say kiwifruit.

Jandals – Flip flops. e.g. Havaianas

Dairy – A convenience store, corner store, or mini supermarket.

Chilly bin – A cooler bin, used for keeping drinks cold.

The wops – Really far away, the middle of nowhere. e.g. she lives far away, out in the wops.

Togs – Swimsuit

Bonnet & boot – Hood & trunk (of a car)

Scull – To drink a usually alcoholic drink in one go without stopping.

Buggered – Very tired

Fizzy drink – Soda, soft drink

Mince – Ground beef

Hot chips – Thick cut, usually home made, French fries

Kai – Maori word for food

Chocka Block – Crowded/busy

Pissed – Drunk

Cuppa or Brew – A hot drink, usually short for “cup of coffee” or “cup of tea”

Jumper – A jersey or sweatshirt

Angus – Someone with an anger problem

Hungus – Someone who eats too much, or to describe when you're hungry


Easy enough? Cool. Now try wrap your head around these ones:

Lesson 2: More Kiwi slang words and phrases

Bro – When I’m with my friends I use this in almost every sentence. We use it in place of ‘man’ or ‘mate’ or ‘dude’. It’s not reserved for good friends, you can say it to anyone, like the mailman or a taxi driver. They’ll probably say it back to you.

Example:
Jack: Hey bro how’s it going?
John: I’m all good bro! Did you see Shortland Street last night bro? It was crazy bro!

All good - This basically means ‘everything’s fine’ or ‘no problem’, and we also use it in place of ‘you’re welcome’ when someone says thank you.

Example:
Jack: I thought my car was going to break down but it was all good, thanks for waiting.
John: All good bro.

Sweet as – Means ‘no problem’, or sometimes can just mean a simple “OK”. Used similarly to ‘all good’.

Example:
Jack: Yo, we’re all going to Jen’s house to watch Gossip Girl and eat Toffee Pops. Gotta go gym first but I’ll pick you up at 7?
John: Sweet as (translation: OK).

Faaa – This could be considered a shortened version of “far out” (or the F word, I’m actually not sure) which can be used to express both excitement and disappointment. The amount of excitement or disappointment you wish to express will depend on how long you hold the ‘faa’.

Example:
If you scratch a lotto ticket and win $2 you might go “Faaa, only $2″, but if you scratched it and won $20,000 you’d probably go “Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa $20,000!”

As – We commonly use the word “as” as an amplifier to the preceding adjective. For example, “cheap as” would translate to “really cheap”.

Example:
John: Bro, check out my new polka dot undies. Got them in Howick for 20 bucks.
Jack: Bro, that’s expensive as! (translation: that’s really f*cking expensive).

Hardout – This has many meanings:

1. To amplify an adjective.

Example:
It’s hardout cold today! (translation: It is extremely cold today)

2. To express agreement to something very enthusiastically.

Example:
Jack: Bro, this restaurant is awesome as, we should come here every week.
John: Hardout! (translation: yes, we should!)

3. To describe something as awesome or amazing.

Example:
John: How was the movie?
Jack: It was hardout, bro! (translation: It was awesome, bro).

4. To describe someone as extremely talented/hardworking/successful.

Example:
John: Did you know Ben got 100% in every exam?
Jack: Man, that guy is a hardout! (translation: that guy works really hard).

Not even – Loosely translates to “No way” or “That’s not true”, but can be used in various different contexts.

Example:
Jack: Bro, I forgot my wallet. You’ll lend me 20 bucks though eh?
John: Not even! (translation: No, I wont.)

Oww - This can be combined with “Not even” and is used somewhat like an exclamation mark. It’s used quite sparingly, but if you manage to pull off the “Not even” + “Ow” combo as a foreigner, you will probably be made an honorary Kiwi.

Example:
Jack: Bro, how did you pass that exam, you must have cheated hardout!
John: Not even ow! (translation: Get the f**k outa here)

Shot – This has multiple meanings, so many that it would be pointless to explain them all here. In fact I’m not even sure I could explain them, as there is an acquired comfort in using this word and understanding all it’s uses. Nonetheless, I encourage foreigners to try as often as possible. Three of the most common meanings are:

1. To express thanks.

Example:
Hey bro, can you pass me that jug of water please? Shot. (translation: Thanks)

2. To express joy, similar to how you might use “Yuss!!”

Example:
John: Bro, Jen got us free VIP tickets for Miley Cyrus tonight!
Jack: Oh shot! (translation: That’s awesome!)

3. To express encouragement, or to say ‘good job’ or ‘well done’.

Example:
John: Hey bro, I finally passed my bikini waxing certification last night. Starting my new job tomorrow!
Jack: Shot bro! (translation: Well done!)

A feed - A meal

Example:
Jack: I’m hungry bro.
John: Alright, let’s go for a feed. Macca’s?

Reckon – In many ways it is a synonym for the word “think”, for example instead of saying “I think so” you could say “I reckon”. However it has other meanings:

1. Used to express one’s opinion. For example, instead of saying “Do you think?” you would say “Do you reckon?”

Example:
John: Do you reckon if I buy Jen a box of Pineapple Lumps and then ask her on a date she will say yes?
Jack: Yeah, I reckon! (translation: yes, I think she will).

2. Used to agree enthusiastically to something.

Example:
John: I can’t believe Tom cheated on Jill for the 279th time!
Jack: I reckon! What a dick. (translation: I know! What a dick).

Mean – An adjective to describe something as really amazing or awesome.

Example:
Jack: Did you see that girl in the purple dress last night?
John: Yeah bro that girl was the meanest! (translation: that girl was extremely hot/amazing).

Example:
Jack: Did you like that Olsen twins movie we saw last week?
John: Yeah, it was pretty mean (translation: Yeah, it was quite good).

Heaps – Means ‘a lot’ or ‘very’.

Example:
Jack: Man, I always see that girl there.
John: Yeah, I’ve seen her heaps too. She goes there heaps bro. (translation: Yeah, I’ve seen her a lot too. She goes there all the time).

Piece of piss - To describe something that’s very easy, similar to “piece of cake”.

Example:
Jack: Hey, I’m about to take my driving test. Is it hard?
John: Nah, piece of piss bro (translation: No, it’s very easy).

Taking the piss – An expression which means ‘to make fun of’ or to ‘mock’, or to not be taking something seriously. Not to be confused with “taking a piss”, which means to urinate.

Example:
Jack: I was gonna go out drinking with you guys tonight, but Jen got mad at me so I’m staying home.
John: What the f**k? Are you taking the piss? (translation: Are you being serious?)

Yeah nah bro – This basically means “Umm” or can just be used to fill space. It’s what guys usually put at the start of a sentence when they don’t know what to say. It has no meaning at all.

Example:
Jack: Hey bro, I saw you and Jess go home together last night.
John: Yeah nah bro… how did your night go?

To the days – This is pinned to the end of a word or phrase, and means ‘extremely’ or ‘very’.

Example:
Jack: Did you see Tim got drunk again last night?
John: Bro, that guy’s an alcoholic to the days. (translation: That guy’s seriously an alcoholic).

Honest to who? – Loosely translates to “Really?” Often the response will be “Honest to G”, which I presume means Honest to God.

Example:
Jack: Bro, I won like $5,000 at the pokies last night.
John: Honest to who?
Jack: Honest to G O D bro!

Gizza - Short for “Give us a”, which actually means “Give me a”.

Example:
Jack: Faaa, check this out, Jen posted a photo of herself on Instagram in a bikini.
John: Honest to who? Gizza look! (translation: Really? Give me a look!)

Shout – This is the Kiwi form of the verb ‘to treat’, such as treating someone to a meal or a drink.

Example:
Jack: Bro, I can’t come out tonight, I spent all my money on a pedicure.
John: It’s all good bro, Tim is shouting drinks tonight.
Jack: Shot!

What a sad guy - This is said when someone does something super uncool.

Example:
Jack: Bro, when Tim was drunk as last night I put $500 of booze on his credit card.
John: What a sad guy!

Aye (Eh) – Probably impossible to explain, but I will try. It has many different uses so you will need to listen carefully to the pitch, tone and context in which it’s used to decipher the meaning in each particular situation. Also note that the word is pronounced like the letter “A”, not the letter I.

1. Used on the end of a statement to solicit agreement from the other party. Similar meaning to “don’t you think?” or “isn’t it?”

Example:
Jack: It’s pretty hot today aye? (translation: It’s pretty hot today, isn’t it?)
John: Yeah bro, hardout. (translation: Yes, very).

2. Used to express disbelief and/or surprise. You would use a similar pitch and tone to when you say “Really??”.

Example:
Jack: Tim broke his leg at rugby last night and now he’s in the hospital.
John: Aye? (translation: Really!?)

3. Used to express confusion when you’re unsure of why something is happening or when things are not appearing as they should. When used in this context the “Aye” will typically be longer and more drawn out, usually in a slightly higher pitched voice.

Example:
Jack: Bro Mr Tupai said you have to go to his office after school because your exam was so crap.
John: Aaaaaye? (translation: What the hell!?)

4. Used as a filler word, with no real meaning at all.

Example:
Jack: How was Jen’s cupcake party?
John: It was cool aye, I really enjoyed it.

Cuz – While technically short for “cousin” this is mostly used as a term of friendship, but can also be used as just a casual way to address someone. Sometimes the longer form “cuzzy” is used.

Example:
Staff: “Sir, here’s your Big Mac combo, no pickle extra fries.”
Jack: “Oh, cheers cuz.” (translation: Thanks man)

Chur – Generally used in place of “cheers” or “thank you”, but in certain situations can also mean “OK/cool” or “No problem”. also people use it simply as a way to greet each other.

Example:
Jack: Saw you were running low bro so got you another beer.
John: Chur bro! (translation: Thanks man).

Can’t be bothered – Used when someone is too lazy or just simply doesn’t feel like doing something. Another variation of this is “can’t be stuffed”, which has the same meaning and is used in the same way.

Example:
Jack: Bro, your arms are looking kinda small you should come to the gym with us.
John: Nah, I can’t be bothered bro. (translation: No, I’m too lazy).

Choice – Simply means “good” or “cool” and is used similarly to “sweet as”.

Example:
John: Bro, Jen went to buy our movie tickets and the guy gave all of us free popcorn.
Jack: Oh choice! (translation: Oh that’s awesome).

Suss – This word can have two different meanings depending on the context:

1. To take care of a task that needs to be done or to sort something out.

Example:
John: You were supposed to get our rugby tickets sorted, suss it out bro! (translation: take care of it)
Jack: Sussed it out this morning bro! (translation: I sorted it out this morning)

2. To describe something as suspicious/suspect.

Example:
John: Bro, it’s all good, this guy said he’ll give us a ride into town.
Jack: Are you sure you wanna go with him? He looks kinda suss bro. (translation: he looks a bit suspicious/not right).

Mint - Loosely translates to “cool”, or “awesome”. Has quite a broad meaning and can be used to describe most things that you think are cool.

Example:
John: “Bro, check out my new iPhone cover, it’s got Kim Kardashian on the back.”
Jack: “Gizza look. Oh bro, that is mint.” (translation: Give me a look. Oh man, that is awesome.)

Gap it – Can simply mean “to leave” or can also mean to “run away”.

Example:
John: Bro I saw this guy trying to break into my car.
Jack: Did you catch him?
John: Nah, he gapped it. (translation: no, he ran away)

Credit to: http://www.brenontheroad.com/travellers ... and-slang/

And, for more Kiwi slang, check out...http://www.newzealandslang.com/

'Dumb as a box of hammers' or 'ugly as a hat full of arseholes' spring to mind

We use "going to the dogs" to refer to something that has decreased in quality over time. For example, "I used to love that neighborhood, but it has really gone to the dogs lately." I don't know the actual origin, but you do see stray dogs in dilapidated areas a lot.

Peas above Sticks is a nice term where I live. I wonder if you folk have heard of this Lancashire, England term ?