Happy Australia Day! Happy Republic Day!

It's January 26, and it's a public holiday here in Aus - Australia Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, and proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard. It is also known as Invasion Day.  As with most national days, it is full of jingoism, flag-waving and fireworks. (Of course, January is the start of our bushfire season, so fireworks aren't always a good idea.) And beer, barbies, and beach cricket.

It's January 26, and it's a public holiday in India also - Republic Day. There it commemorates the date the Constitution of India came into force in 1950. That date was chosen to honour the memory of the declaration of independence (purna swaraj) of 1930. (Note that India's Independence Day is August 15, which is when independence from British rule was actually achieved, in 1947.) Republic Day is celebrated with military parades and jingoism, flag-waving and fireworks. (Actually, there are fireworks almost every night - weddings, parties, anything.)

So here's some Strine silliness, pinched from various sources.


You know you're Australian when:

• You know that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
• You smirk when you hear Americans "rooting" for something, or telling cyclists "don't bonk"
• You pronounce Melbourne as "mel-bin", and the "l" in "Australia is optional
• You can translate "Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas"
• You call your best friend "a total bastard", but someone you really, truly despise "a bit of a bastard"
• You mock others for being terrified of our killer wildlife
• You understand that "Wagga Wagga" can be shortened to "Wagga", but "Woy Woy" cannot be called "Woy". And that "Woolloomooloo" is also perfectly reasonable place name.
• A hamburger is not complete without a few slices of tinned beetroot.
• You know that certain words must be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song "Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again?"
• You know that none of us actually drinks Fosters beer, because it tastes like shit.
• You say "no worries" far more often than you mean to. And understand "no wucking furries".
• You know that roo meat tastes pretty good, but not as good as barra or a meat pie.
• You think of Kylie Minogue as "that girl off Neighbours" and Eric Bana as Poida (Peter) 

Actually, bugger it, this probably tells you more about Straya than anything I can tell you:

If you need any translations (and you well might), lemme know.