Britain and the United States are usually the countries talked about in the phrase "separated by a common language." However, Australia should be included. All three dialects of English have their own distinguishing characteristics, which gives way to unique phrases. This quiz focuses on American and Australian Englishes.
Due to the influence of American media, Australians may have already heard some American phrases, such as "the whole nine yards" or "whole other ball of wax." That doesn't mean Australians necessarily know what they mean or why someone would use them. On the other hand, Americans are equally baffled by phrases like "flat out like a lizard drinking" and whatever a "Fremantle doctor" is. The former means to be extremely busy. The latter refers to a cool sea breeze on a hot summer's day.
To make matters worse or more interesting, depending on your point of view, there are phrases that mean something entirely different to a speaker of the other dialect. If you're an American, you may get amused looks when you state that you are "rooting for the home team" because to an Australian "root" is vulgar slang for a quite different act.
Will you complete this quiz like nobody's business? Find out how accurately you can determine the origins of these phrases!
