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The Australian Slang Dictionary is a comprehensive guide to the colourful idioms of Australia.
Driving in Australia can be expensive for Yanks. We had a friend who insisted on driving here and rented a car. By the time he got back to his hotel, he had to change two flat tires. Why? Because he kept hitting the curb really hard.
Yanks, of course, drive on the wrong side of the road. Just as important is the fact that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. This means you have a whole lot of car on your left that wasn’t there before. That’s why he kept hitting the curb.
You can imagine how he handled our roundabouts. The few they have in the states are generally small and in residential streets. So if you see a car going against the flow of traffic or just sitting there afraid to go, it could be a Yank.
| Yellow Canary | sticker put on your windscreen when your vehicle is deemed to be unroadworthy by the police |
| Prang | car crash |
| Panel Beater | shop or person that does body repairs to cars |
| Petrol Station | service station (gas station) for cars |
| Servo | service station (gas station) for cars |
| Petrol | short for petroleum, gasoline |
| Bowser | gas pump |
| Clicks, Klicks, K | kilometre (approximately 0.62 miles) |
| Overtake | pass |
| Pass | pass each other driving in opposite directions |
| Roundabout | circular divider in an intersection that controls the flow of traffic. Used instead of traffic lights or stop signs. |
| Zebra crossing | pedestrian crossing, named for the painted striped lines on the roadway |
| Clearway | no parking |
| Car Park | parking lot |
| Sealed Road | paved road |
| Bitumen | blacktop, asphalt |
| Tyre Iron | crowbar |
| Shank’s Pony | on foot |
| Push-bike | bicycle |
| Billy Cart | go-kart made by children |
| Dray | wagon pulled by horses or bullocks |
