Since arriving in Australia I've been trying to learn Australian colloquialisms of which there are many. Last week Prime Minister Kevin Rudd introduced a new one to me.
As Prime Minister Kev is pretty much unknown outside of Oz, I'll describe him for you. He's a dork, a nerd, a dweeb.
Basically he's got the same sensible-parted-hair that his mum probably licked down for him as he grabbed his school satchel. His glasses similarly spell out 'Mr Sensible'. He would undoubtedly have been bullied at school - I can almost imagine a young Kevin Rudd sobbing as the bigger kids threw his blazer on top of the bike shed roof.
I guess there's nothing wrong with being a nerd though - just ask Bill Gates.
Like Bill, Kev has got power....
Probably following a focus group feedback session, Kevin has taken to using colloquiums no doubt to appeal to the 'ordinary Australian'. He used the phrase 'fair shake of the sauce bottle' no less than 3 times in a short speech on Sky TV. He also referred to the new defence minister John Faukner as 'Faulks'. urrggh.
It reminded me of Tony Blair, who as his empire crumbled took to wearing open neck shirts in a bid to appeal to the masses. Both things too painful and phoney for words.
As someone said to us last week, "Australians can tolerate a nerd, but can't stand a try-hard."
No comments:
Post a Comment