Waffle
To ramble on without actually making a point. Some politicians have turned this into an art form but 'Pollywaffle' (as opposed to 'polli-waffle - now there's a pun!) is also a well-loved chocolate confectionary item (originally made by Australian company Hoadley's, which was bought by Nestlé). Where possible I prefer to only promote Australian owned products or brands (email Kevin@MrRudd.com.au).
Wag
To skip school/lessons/work. In America they 'play truant', here we just 'wag'. The boys who wagged at my school were considered rebels and were popular. It never really worked for me though. Perhaps because I only wagged on sports carnival days. A 'wag' is also a practical joker.
Wagga
Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales. Not called because it is so good they named it twice - in the Wiraduri Aboriginal language 'wagga' is the word for crow, so 'Wagga Wagga' means 'place of many crows, place of many crows'. And do you know why crows are never run over when pecking at a carcass of roadkill? Because there's always another crow up on the fence or telephone wire keeping lookout - "Carrrrr... Carrrr..." Joe Hockey told me that one when we walked the Kokoda Track together. For a Liberal he can be such a wag.
Wagon Wheels
Originally Weston's Wagon Wheels (now Arnott's - an Australian company) and it is the best little/big chocolate-covered marshmallow/biscuit meal you can get. One of the slogans to promote them was "If there's a bigger bite, it can't be found!" Strangely, they seem smaller these days, but I do hope Mr Arnott was happy with the plug...
Walkabout
'To go walkabout' comes from the nomadic Aboriginal habit of moving on. These days it can also mean to just want to find some space or to be mentally off on a wander. (see Garrett, Peter)
Wallabies
The name of the Australian Rugby Union international team - highly respected wearers of the Green & Gold. As in the faunal varieties, the football Wallabies (Rugby Union) look similar to the Kangaroos (Rugby League), but chances are the Wallabies had a private school education and have longer necks.
Walloper
To 'wallop' means to give someone a sound whack or thrashing, which explains why 'walloper' is a colloquial term for a policeman. Good information can be hard to get! In the 'good old days' a gentle wallop may have involved a phonebook, which left no bruising. These days it is not uncommon for the felon to give the arresting officer a wallop, which is why the phonebook gave way to the Taser, which employs Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) to pack a fair wallop.
Wally Grout
A famous Australian wicketkeeper who donated his name to the world of rhyming slang - Wally Grout = Shout, as in, "Whose Wally?" meaning, "Whose turn to shout a round of drinks?" As opposed to 'Where's Wally', which is a highly entertaining book/video for children.
Waltzing Matilda
The 'second' Australian national anthem that tells the story of a 'jolly swagman' who has been wandering the bush ('waltzing') with his swag ('Matilda'). He decides to camp by a billabong and while he's waiting for his billy to boil, a sheep (jumbuck) enters the picture. He decides to steal the sheep and stuffs it in his tuckerbag - at which point a squatter arrives with three wallopers who ask questions pertaining to the contents of said tuckerbag without employing a phonebook or Taser. Rather than face the consequences, the swagman chooses to top himself by drowning and throws himself into the pond. Even today, many Australians would rather throw themselves into a pond rather than be arrested. But these days most of us can swim. (For those who may be drawn to consider aquatic self-harm, call Lifeline 13 11 14)
Wanker
For some, this word sits in the mind's Thesaurus next to 'Walloper' and 'Warne'. While literally meaning someone who prefers sex on his own it isn't really that offensive - It is just a term for someone who is deluding himself (it is a male thing). A politer W form of abuse would be to call someone a bit of a 'wally'.
Warne, Shane
There's no other Australian quite like our 'Warnie'. He's a spinner. He's a texter. He's a musical. He's a legend. And when it came to getting rid of batsmen, no one tossed it up quite like Warnie (where he probably earned his other nickname, 'Tosser').
Warner Bros Movie World
A theme park on the Gold Coast where Aussie kids can get up close and personal with those well-known Aussie movie legends Marilyn Monroe, Bugs Bunny, Batman and Police Academy, fill up on fast food, throw up on a fast ride and all-in-all have a great day out.
Wattle
The Golden Wattle is Australia's floral emblem (Acacia pycnantha) and, as Monty Python noted in the 'Bruce' sketch, it has more than one use... "This here's the wattle, the emblem of our land, you can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand." Amen.
Wauchope
There are two 'Wauchopes in Australia. Wauchope in the Northern Territory has a pub, a swimming pool, a truckstop and a population of seven people (and according to the latest national opinion polls, four or five of them like me). This Wauchope is pronounced 'War-cup'. The one in New South Wales is pronounced 'War-hope', which has the re-creation of a typical 1880s timber town, imaginatively called, 'Timbertown'.
Wedge-tailed eagles
Big and dark with a long tail, these are Australia's largest birds of prey. They are sometimes referred to as 'wedgies', which shouldn't be confused with the 'wedgie' where adolescent wags cause their peers a discomfort by lifting underpants so the material 'wedges' between the butt-cheeks. (See Downer, Alexander)
Wet 'N' Wild
Another theme park on the Gold Coast that echoes with shrill screams of delight from kiddies having fun...
Wet T-Shirt Competitions
Another themed event that echoes with shrill screams of delight from adults having fun. Usually found in beer gardens, ladies in bikini bottoms and wet t-shirts enter their breasts to be judged by a male audience. Naturally I avoid such demeaning and sexist events but I heard of one contestant who had one breast much larger than the other who was thrilled to take out both first and third prize.
Whales
Whales migrate from the Antarctic to breed annually and can be spotted from the southern, eastern and western coasts of Australia. I am currently engaged in discourse with Japanese scientists in an endeavour to find that elusive link between kelp and sushi.
Whale Sharks
These gentle giants (up to 18 metres) aren't predatory - they only eat plankton. Japanese scientists are yet to reveal what they taste like.
Whitlam, Edward Gough
There's no other Australian quite like Our Gough. He's a spinner. He's a speaker. He's a former Prime Minister. He's a legend. He is yet to become a musical.
Woodley, Bruce
One of the original Seekers who surpassed even those song-writing efforts with another unofficial Australian anthem and Telstra jingle, 'I am Australian'.
Woop Woop
The name given to any remote or backward town in regional Australia (from the Aboriginal meaning backward/remote).
WOW Factory
The name of the enterprise owned by one of the finest entertainers in the country, Chris De Haviland. A terrific cove who provides an array of characters for corporate functions. We share the same barber. (see www.WowFactory.com.au)
Woy Woy
A lazy little spot on the NSW central coast where Spike Milligan's Mum lived. The name means "deep water". Spike once mused, "Which 'woy' means 'deep' and which 'woy' means 'water'?"
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W
Waffle
Wag
Wagga Wagga
Wagon Wheels
Walkabout
Wallabies
Walloper
Wally Grout
Waltzing Matilda
Wanker
Warne, Shane
Warner Bros Movieworld
Wattle
Wauchope
Wedge-tailed Eagles
Wet 'N' Wild
Wet T-Shirt Competitions
Whales
Whale Sharks
Whitlam, Edward Gough
Woodley, Bruce
Woop Woop
WOW Factory
Woy Woy
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