My son reads alot. Anyway, he is reading a book here in the shop while I'm sticking on some vinyl and he just came across the word "bloke" so we were just discussing the definition of the word. We know he's a male: But is this the only word used for "man" or is "bloke" the equivalent of "dude".
OK....back to work.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
'Dude' is a particularly American term. We see (hear) it on TV a lot, but not many people here would use it. 'Bloke' is way more common over here- an aussie colloquialism since the 1800s, as in "Hey, you blokes, give us a hand to unload the ute, thanks!".
In the younger generation it's sort-of been eclipsed by 'youse', as in "Hey Youse, give us a hand to unload the grog...!" (sort-of crude plural on 'you')
'Guys' is another more common plural here than Dudes, although it always sounds like you say it 'dood' or doods, instead of the way it is spelled as 'd-you-ds'!
"The Sentimentasl Bloke" was a famous character by aussie author & poet CJ Dennis with some terrific colourful lines.
[ July 19, 2011, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
From the definitive source "Aussie English" by Aferbeck Lauder (aka John O'Grady)
"Bloke: A chap, a fellow. A guy. We're all blokes. There are good blokes and bad blokes, but most blokes are alright. Some blokes, of course, are not worth feedin', but most of the blokes you will meet will be prepared to put their hands in their pockets and buy you a drink - providing that there are more good blokes than bad blokes."
I hope this clears things up.
Oops, I should cite the source which is the book Auusie English
[ July 20, 2011, 08:16 AM: Message edited by: David Fisher ]
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Ok mate, thanks for clearing that up.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Ian....here in the Southern US, most of us pronounce it "dood" as well. I've heard a few people from the northern US say "Youse" as the plural for "you" Here in the South, many say "y'all". As far as I can ascertain, in earlier English literature, such as the King James Bible and possibly Shakespeare, the word "you" itself seems to have been the plural form; the singular was "thou".
Ok, so what is a "ute"? Over here, he's a member of an Indian tribe.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Wayne........
Ute = pickem up.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Thanks, Si: ute = utility vehicle = sedan with the back seat & roof cut off & left open for putting stuff into. I believe the Aussies invented the idea!
You'd call it a pickup.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Oh yeah?
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Now this is a Ute......
wish we could buy them here....could ya'll please send one up!
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Bloke is a wacky dude from Brisbane, Australia. Barb and I had a blast at his home. Kids, old cowdogs, an insane wife with a Sister that loves to flirt on the phone, wild paries in the hills with wealthy relatives and Footy games. Good to see you Dave.
Come to Canada and clean my computer out. I got that Google Redirect virus. Serious. Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Would love to meet these two blokes as well.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Wayne, I do believe that old Model T 'ute' was still an aussie idea that Henry Ford discovered would work well & it went from there.
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
Thanks for the invite Steve, good times when you guys were over here and (I think) thanks also for the re-intro, it's been a while. The kids are still fond of You, Barb and RT's visits, especially when I got booked for talking on my phone with RT in the ute. We can de-clappify your computer remotely if you want. I fixed one in Tel Aviv last year, Canada can't be that much harder. I don't think I've ever been called a whacky dude, theres a first time for everything I suppose
email is best
[ July 21, 2011, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: David Fisher ]
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ian Stewart-Koster: Wayne, I do believe that old Model T 'ute' was still an aussie idea that Henry Ford discovered would work well & it went from there.
Yeah....I guess you're right. Y'all do have a long tradition of hauling things around.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Youse always sounded "gangster" to me--twentie's gangster, not hip-hop "gangstas."
For example: "Youse guys touch my doiby and I'll knock yer block off!"
In short, they better not mess with that gangster's hat.
BTW --- depending on how you say "dude" in America, it might or might not be an insult. Remember the dude-talking turtle in Finding Nemo? That was surfer dude talk. A bit of insult perhaps if you are that kind of dude?--the male equivalent of the bubble-headed bleach-blonde? Use the word dude improperly or at the wrong place and time, and you might be considered immature or a dunce. Or a wannabe cowboy, as in dude ranch. And of course the immediate play on the word dude begins if you are considered a "dud," another term for another day.
Ain't language fun?
(ain't = contraction of the imaginary word: am-are-is-not)
[ July 21, 2011, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Michael Gene Adkins ]
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