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probably the highest ratio of non Anglo-Saxon migration. Perhaps it has something to do with it having one of the first great wine growing regions (the Barossa Valley, just out of Adelaide) in the country, hence a higher proportion of wine drinkers, and they are just putting on airs and graces to show how much better they are than the rest of us Aussies. Queenslanders will add "ay" to the end of almost every sentence or question. So "Ow's it go-en?" will becomes "Ow's it go-en, ay?". No, I'm not joking. There are also regional variations for a number of things. We don't have 'soda', we have "soft drink", or usually just the name of whatever the soft drink is (Coke, Pepsi, Fanta etc), but in Tasmania, they call it "cordial", whereas elsewhere in Australia, cordial is a drink flavouring that you add water to. Watermelon can also be cantaloupe or just melon, eggplant is also known as aubergine, a suitcase can be a port or bag, peanut butter can be peanut paste, just to name a few.

Having said all that, if you want to fit in here, just ask for a jar of Vegemite or a vegemite sandwich (remember the old Men at Work song "Down Under"?). Vegemite is a yeast extract, similar to Marmite and Promite, but it is the yardstick of all things Australian. It's a thick salty black sandwich spread that is very much an acquired taste. The same sort of way that cava is an acquired taste when you go to Fiji (although at least cava makes your lips and tongue go numb). Your first taste of Vegemite is likely to be a very memorable occasion and a source of great amusement to us when undertaken in public. It's best on hot buttered toast and also a lunch time favourite on sandwiches, but is great in casseroles and soups. After they've stopped laughing, as more likely than not you'll be coughing and spluttering and trying to get every trace of this vile substance out of your mouth, you will have their respect.

Learn more about this author, Jimmy Nightingale.
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