Here in the US, we are being treated to a lot of "feature" coverage of Australia in the run-up to the Olympics. I'm wondering how much we will be able to learn of the local lingo via television coverage.
I, for one, was chagrined to learn that Australians do NOT say "shrimp on the barbie," an illusion long cherished by many of us Sydneyoutsiders. One TV program interviewed a famous Sydney chef (his name is now long gone from short-term memory) who gently reminded the interviewer that Aussies don't say "shrimp," they say "prawn." He then proceeded to throw prawn on the barbie and serve it with a lovely Thai-inspired sauce.