Allow me to give you the lowdown on the Local Lingo…
In the Northern Territory, where we enjoy the warm weather (when it behaves), we also have a unique Tru-Blu Aussie twist to the language…
It’s those everyday local terms that somehow find their way into my stories.
Terms that are foreign to some of my readers.
And the fun part is, I get to interpret them like this month…
The Local Lingo on—DUST
Why? Because I’ve named my ESLIE CREEK SERIES with DUST in their titles.
I’m not talking about the yucky house dust that falls on the surfaces, or those dust bunnies under the bed, nor the dusting of sugar over your cake, but a different kind of dust.
I’m talking Territory Dust:
In parts of the Northern Territory, the dry dirt looks a sunburnt red. Other parts, it’s a shade of ochre, seen on the NT flag. Then when the wind blows everything gets CAKED IN DUST.
Other things named Dust besides a book series…
Dust jackets:
Sure, they’re book covers, but they’re also a jacket or a coat!
Dust storms:
They’re huge. And dirty. And everyone knows what they are.
Dust Bowl:
Places known for their dust storms. Also, the term for scrublands that have nothing but native bushlands or the outback.
Dust Devil:
Little dust storms, also known as willy-willy like whirlwinds as found in the stories THE SISTER TRIP + THE STATION.
Bite the Dust/ Kick the Dust:
Death.
Um, yeah, there really is no nicer way to say that, is there?
Moving right along…
Kissing Dust:
That’d be a good romance title, don’t you think?
But it also means getting knocked over to land face down to kiss the dirt.
Dust Up:
It’s a punch up, usually by a coupla of ringers rolling in the dust out back of the pub! He-he.
The interpretation of the above one-liner is, it’s a bare-knuckle fight between two men, that’s usually over in a matter of minutes. Then they’ll shake hands and go back to their beers as if nothing had ever happened. Hot weather will do it to you, so they say.
Bulldust:
It’s powdered dust that is considered a road hazard.
Picture dry red beach sand, or quick sand without the slow-sinking drama but an instant whip-lashing hazard that can cause serious vehicle damage. It’s quite common on Territory roads, that help create huge dust plumes, giving the sky a red tinge.
Bulldust is also a cleaner alternative for the word bullsh*t!
It’s also the dust stirred up by the cattle. No bull!
This is also known as Swallowing Dust, especially for those running the tail end of a muster.
And that’s the fun of wordplay!
No doubt your region has its own unique interpretations for the above. If so, I’d love to read about them in the comments below?
Don’t forget, if you’ve read any slang terminologies within my stories you don’t understand, just email me.
| #Escape2HEA | #ElsieCreek | #SisterTrip | #TheStation
#Escape2HEA – because everyone deserves to ESCAPE the drama in their day.
