New Zealand Rocks

You have Grapefruit, Dragonfruit, Starfruit, Passionfruit and Breadfruit though...

And now the word fruit just looks completely wrong!

 

There are plenty of words that differ from one English speaking country to the next. What some call a flat I call an apartment. We're both speaking English, but there are differences in how we use it.

Just looking at the UK, there are differences in how we spell words (favor vs. favour), differences in how we format dates (March 25 2011 vs. 25 March 2011), differences in how tell the time (eleven thirty vs. half past eleven). And there are tons of things we use different words for. All while we are speaking what is technically the same language!

What's chap or a bloke? Those aren't even real words in the USA. Why in the name of god would anyone call their taxi driver a governor? (okay, guvnor)? Governors rule states. They don't ferry people around a city. You see, there are differences. Many of them.

Next argument?

 

One of the greatest marketing successes ever.

Interestingly enough, Italy (I bleieve it is) is the leading producer in Kiwifruit. Followed closely by us, then a big jump to either Chile or Argentina.

 

No earthquake? Oh well.

Perhaps divide the country up?

 

We have a winner.

Why, who calls taxi drivers governors?

 

On another note, I actually learned about the New Zealand usage of "Kiwis" from watching the bonus footage from the Lord of the Rings series. I've watched all of the bonus material from the theatrical and extended DVDs for each of the 3 movies.

Over the course what must be at least 12 hours of footage, there's a fair amount of New Zealand's culture that gets sprinkled in. I LOVE the way New Zealanders talk. No matter what they're talking about, it always manages to sound important!

The last time I was in London on business, one of my English coworkers busted out with a "thanks guvnor" to our taxi driver. It sounded as natural coming out of his mouth as anything, though it was all I could do to keep from laughing.

 

That's just a cockney thing, and is not just for taxi drivers. It's just for any guy really, like 'mate' or 'buddy'. Although it is used outside of London as well, though usually to mean your boss. This is specifically true in sports; the word seems to have stuck to describe the manager or head coach of a team. It doesn't mean 'governor'. I'm struggling to think why it's funny though?

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But the word 'fruit' on the end of 'kiwi' isn't redundant either, because the word 'kiwi' has its own meaning. The fact that American's aren't aware of the kiwi animal is hardly the worlds fault. Ergo, America is at fault.

Here endeth the sermon lol.

 

This individual was from the north of England, where I guess a lot of folks speak with the Geordie dialect. I'm not sure if that's of any particular consequence, but I thought I'd mention it. Thick Geordie, such as is used in the Billy Elliot musical/movie is an absolute hoot to listen to!

As for why it was funny, I guess that's just an American adjusting to English culture thing. There are certain terms/phrases that sound funny to us (and I'm sure the reverse is true). Calling someone "guvnor" or "ole bean" is something an American is likely to do when we're trying to do our best, silly English imitation. When this coworker I was with busted out with the guvnor greeting I guess I was surprised to hear it used in such a serious way. I would only use that word if I was attempting to be silly. Beyond that, it's hard to explain.

I don't intend any offense by that. I have the utmost respect for my English brothers. Hell, a lot of my current job security is derived from GB. But sometimes it's fun to laugh at our differences.

 

Seeing as it's the NZ peoples word, fruit and animal, I think we should let them settle this.

Harbs, you're on.

 

Fixed. Let's not get carried away, now.

 

They're also known as pitaya or pitahaya. They have a similar texture as kiwis, with small black seeds. They are quite delicious. Or well... I ate a few while in north east Australia and they were delicious, probably because they are grown there and fresh as can be. I tried some imported later here in The Netherlands (can't remember where they were from) and they didn't taste that spectacular at all.

As for kiwis, we call them kiwis in Dutch. Just kiwis. Probably like BTA said because we don't need to make the distinction here. So I'll just continue calling them just kiwis, which is clear to most, and Harbs, you may just guess what I mean

 

No no no no noooooooooo. GEORDIES speak with a Geordie accent. People from Sunderland (about 10 miles away) speak with a Maccam accent, people from Middlesbrough (ie me!) are Smoggies and speak with a Teesside accent. They all sound completely different. Do all Americans sound like inbred hicks? Or Canadians?

 

When did I say, or even imply, that ALL English speak Geordie?????? Aaaaaah!!

Okay, I guess this is like the thing where anyone not from California thinks I'm from Los Angeles, even though I'm a good 60 miles south of it. At any rate... my coworker, in fact, IS from the North of England, so I did not misspeak, but perhaps I could have been more specific! My sincerest f**king apologies for not being more sensitive about which part of the northern section of England he's from!!

A) I didn't think it was particularly relevant, and B) I figured those who cared would understand that I didn't mean the entire northern part of England!! How in the hell can a single person be from so many places at once, anyway!! Tell me! Tell meeeeee!! What I hadn't counted on, though, was... Silvery.

Okay, so as not to offend your delicate sensibilities further, my coworker is actually from the north EAST of England. I've heard other English folks refer to them as "north easteners," so if that's somehow not specific enough for you, I can only ask what the hell do you expect from me if this is how your own countrymen talk?!

Alright, fine, in fact, I can be more specific. He lives near Newcastle Upon Tyne, in a former mining area that in years past was mostly isolated from the rest of England, and where a thick Geordie accent prevailed. I guess the accent has gotten pretty watered down in the last hundred years or so. My coworker, who is a successful sales director, only occassionally let's slip a bit of his Geordie. He tends to speak in something closer to what I would call Queen's English, but not always. Does this extra detail help at all, love? Are we good now?



Sheesh! That Silvery... nice gal. But MY GOD, is she high maintenance!!

The women in New Zealand aren't so hard to please are they? (notice how I deftly try to steer my post back on topic)

 

Marceror, don't be a dick. All the places I mentioned are in the North-East!

Tal you're weird, I'm not married to royalty and the last bit made no sense

 

Like I'm really going to know where all those places are. Sheesh. Take a chill pill sister.

 

With the amount of wine I've drank tonight? I'd end up in a coma doofus!