Sunday, 30 October 2011

Hello, I must be going

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Both my readers (hi, Mum) along with pretty much the entire English speaking world, and certainly those parts of it that have seen either Crocodile Dundee or any of a large number of Australian beer ads, will be aware that "G'day" is a common greeting between Australians.* That's a greeting, Telegraph. A greeting, got it? "Good day" might have been used both as a greeting and a farewell, but not "G'day". Or if it is it's very rare. Certainly I've only ever heard Aussies - and we'll leave aside the fact that Mrs Windsor isn't one anyway despite being queen of the place - say "G'day" when they arrive, not on their way out of the door. It's Australia's "Hi" or "Wotcher"not some Down Under equivalent of "Aloha" that can be used interchangeably.

So I can think this headline is down to one of three things: it was done by someone who's about 80 and can remember when British people said "Good day" and thought it was used the same way; it was done by someone middle aged as a very subtle tribute to early 80s Phil Collins music; or it was simply reaching for a stereotypical Australian stock expression because fuck it, the tabloids would have and they outsell The Tele, and who cares if the result makes as much sense as saying "Chuck another prawn on the barbie, we're off now."

And what the hell's a picture of Barry O'Barma with Mrs Queen in London doing in a story about her leaving Oz? Jeez, couldn't you guys find a picture of her in Perth?


* Generally it should not be attempted by naturalised Australians, resident migrants or visitors - it sounds right in an Aussie accent but makes anyone else sound like a tit.