Being a first generation Australian I have the pleasure of understanding the nuances of the Aussie culture while still being aware of the perspective held by foreigners. Lets take vegemite for instance, I know for many it is considered a staple of the Australian diet, however it is very much an acquired taste. When conditioned from birth im sure vegemite is a very tasty treat, but when your family never use it (besides as a stock for cooking) its not something many take to spreading on a piece of bread to have for lunch.
Similarly the Aussie language is known for being considerably “colourful” at its core. It is also peppered with phrases which boggle the mind of those not aware of the cultural or social implications of said phrases. Many times this calls for a need for clarification as to what a phrase means, dissecting it and understanding it beyond the surface value. Some of these may ring some bells “On ya bike”, “Have a dig”, “Fair suck of the sav”, “Ripsnorter”, “Do the Harry”… im sure they also have many scratching their heads wondering what they mean.
The phrase “Fair dinkum” is one which comes to mind as being discussed and explained many a time. The term is used to express a person or situation is legitimate, genuine, honest. This seems simple enough, however, when coupled with other words or depending on how the term is applied it can take on additional meaning.
When one states that someone is a “Fair dinkum Aussie” the value of the statement is exponentially increased. Being Australian means Australia is your country of origin, being an “Aussie” means you exemplify the values of the “Aussie battler”. While commonly associated with hard working and low pay, which is often criticized in modern times as a fallacy, being an “Aussie battler” also represents particular traits such as perseverance in the face of adversity, authenticity, adaptability, willingness to help others despite ones own hardships, these are just some of the traits associated with being a true Aussie.
The phrase “Fair dinkum Aussie” means that the person is genuinely representing the aforementioned traits in their existence as a human being, that these traits are ingrained in the nature of the person as fundamental values of who they are. This is why it is regarded as a great compliment to be seen as a “Fair dinkum Aussie”…. The more you know 😊