MovieChat Forums > They're a Weird Mob (1966) Discussion > When's the last time you heard the word ...

When's the last time you heard the word 'drongo'?

posted 15 years ago by odo5435
11 replies | jump to latest

Watching this movie was fun even if (very) occasionally I cringed when it reminded me of some of the less PC terms and attitudes we used to have.

The most memorable part of watching, however, was the frequent use of many rich and colourful Australian expressions. Hearing words like 'bloke', 'shiela', 'drongo', 'bonzer' or even the once ubiquitous 'bloody' brought back memories of a time, only a generation or so ago, when such terms were common. Sadly, many of these words and sayings have become extinct in our globalised world.

Not everything about the 'good old days' was good, but one thing I especially mourn is the passing of our once extraordinarily unique Australianisms.

That wasn't very sporting, using real bullets.

[–] Steve Crook 15 years ago

It does make you cringe but get nostalgic at the same time. It caught a time that has now passed. It's good that some aspects of that time have passed, but it's a shame about some other aspects.

I always like the explanation of a "shout". And yes, that is Anne Haddy (Helen Daniels from Neighbours) behind the bar

Steve

[–] willjohn 15 years ago

I watched this again a few years ago. I had forgotten what a waste of space Claire Dunne was as an actress and how much funnier the radio serial was.

[–] john-1952 12 years ago

Yes, Claire Dunne is dreadful. But I still refer to drongo's, mugs and ratbags.

[–] willjohn 12 years ago

Fair dinkum? Stone the bloody crows you're a galah!

[–] petercumerford 12 years ago

whadda ya mean, yer mug ? Claire Dunne is a grouse actress- she taught me (Cass Cumerford) everything i know about acting and is a very posh sheila and a good sort. Here in Wyong in 2012 we still call every bludger a drongo(unless he's a mug or a poof.)

[–] ordinary_decent_dags 12 years ago

A lot of people don't even say g'day anymore, it's "hi" now. I hate it when people say "hi", it's so American.
I still say bloody all the time and poof occasionally, but I don't think I've ever called someone a mug or a drongo.
Still call girls sheila's though, I used to say chicks, then it was birds because that's what dad says, not it's sheila.
Also say good sort sometimes.
We have to keep these sayings alive.

[–] odo5435 12 years ago

oddags said...
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A lot of people don't even say g'day anymore, [...] We have to keep these sayings alive.
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I definitely agree mate. My small contribution is to use g'day as a salutation in all of my e-mails, domestic or international. I've been doing this pretty much since e-mailing began. No-one ever acknowledges the oddness of my greeting but, then again, no-one ever returns it. I live on in hope.

That wasn't very sporting, using real bullets.

[–] petercumerford 9 years ago

no one acknowledges the oddness because it ain't so odd---anyway, only insane movie freaks (like me) ever reply to these threads

[–] Steve Crook 11 years ago

I used to say chicks, then it was birds because that's what dad says

Why do men call women "birds"?
Because they pick up worms

Steve

[–] Trimac20 11 years ago

Probably on Home and Away when Alf Stewart says it. Lol I don't watch Home and Away, but I still hear it from time to time and have used it meself, even though I'm 26.

All the others are still in common use, although 'Sheila' sounds deliberately Australian. Bloke and definitely blood is still in common use by people my age at least.

[–] TheDemon (458) 4 years ago

Just now.