@kylieshouse your comment needs more investigation. I found this explanation - Open the door and stand with your back to the hinges. If the door is on your left, it is a left-hand door.

Air condition is called aircon, the combo air conditioner & heaters that you hang high on a wall are called swingers. Countertops are called benches, yards are called a gardens, closets-wardrobe, bonus room-rumpus room, hardwood floors or any wood is called timber. Living in the country is living in the Bush. Carpenters are called a Chippy, electrician -Sparky, brick layer-bricky, plumber-dunny driver. Downtown is called CBD. Neighbor is spelled neighbour. If a room is painted and decorated in updated colors & pattens they are called “Fresh”. If a house is updated in higher end-sophisticated materials it’s called “smart”. Fittings-are basically light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances. Color is spelled colour. Picture rails are still pretty common. Queenslander-is a traditional style of home in Queensland that has a bungalow/Victorian/country/cottage feel. “security screens” are popular on windows & doors-which is a metal lattice. Full fences around your property are also popular.

Also... a faucet is called a tap.

Whoa Stephanie. This tells me that there are different names for things depending on where in Australia we live.

I can't say that I've heard of about half of these in my neck of the woods.

Interesting story regarding the spelling of words like color/colour and so on (there are many)

These words were spelled without the "u" in England until Queen Victoria's reign.

The story goes that her beloved husband (and first cousin, as it happens), German born Prince Albert, could not pronounce these words written without the "u", so she decreed that these words - neighbour, colour, honour, and so on - to include the extra letter in the official British spelling.

Stephanie Mishler Just last night I was thinking of how in US when I was there they say faucet instead of tap. Or maybe it should be we Aussies say tap instead of faucet! ;)

Only a crass person would refer to the toilet as a "dunny". As a copywriter for Real Estate, I would write toilet if it's in a bathroom or WC (not often, very British) if I have a characters limitation for the copy, if separate I would refer to it as a Powder room. Queenslanders are not bungalows. They are often built above ground on stilts and have wraparound verandahs. They are still sought after and undergo extensive renovation on the interior to bring them into the 21st century. Sometimes people will build a replica of a Queenslander (especially in Queensland) as they are conducive to the climate and ooze character.

I learned most of the terms watching “selling homes Australia” and of course looking for a home and finding a place here. The show also allowed me to learn the different areas & Neighborhoods. I have absolutely no idea what “dunny” means other than what I learned on the show. And Yes, that’s a better explanation of a Queenslander. (The roof line is what reminded me of an American bungalow even though it’s a one story house and not 1 1/2.)

Tradie .. means tradesperson; Sparkie .. an electrician ; a chippie ... is a carpenter ; Brickie ... is a bricklayer ; to name just a few . Basically aussies like to shorten names or add ie to them hence a BBQ is called a barbie . BUT forget throw a shrimp on the barbie .. a shrimp is called a prawn !

I grew up in the country (meaning a small town in Australia) and I think you will find most people call the toilet either the loo, or dunny. Certainly you would never refer to the dunny if you were in a situation where you didn't know people. Even so called 'crass' people would know to ask for the toilet. Or the Gents, or the Ladies (depends on the gender). It is not crass, just cultural for the area and era. It is very Aussie. Too many Americanisms are sneaking into our Aussie language. I recently heard someone say they were going to the bathroom. I thought now that is really prudish not to refer to the toilet for what it is. A lot of American homes have the toilet IN the bathroom so I do understand that, but our language is unique and sadly being misinterpreted and lost.

That is good to know. I really enjoy learning new cultures. Your absolutely right it can easily be misunderstood if you don’t get the full story. I find it refreshing how real the Aussie slang can be. It’s much more casual or informal than America but that’s OK, it’s real and it’s fun.The term going to the bathroom in America is very informal & generic. The “proper” thing to say is I’m going to or I need to use the restroom, or ladies room. It’s like toilet is a dirty word. We also still use WC on floor plans. I also agree that too much “Americanisms” are creeping in...be Australian & be proud! I came here not to see American stuff, I want to see 100 % Aussie.