Unleash the nostalgia: Australia's iconic quotes that will leave non-Aussies scratching their heads
- Replies 12
Australia is a land with a rich, colourful culture that has given rise to many iconic quotes steeped in humour and wit. Shouting ‘Tell him he’s dreaming’ will immediately result in mutual understanding and amusement among Aussies. To an extent, these are akin to a secret code that only we can understand, and leave outsiders baffled. Many are from decades ago, way before we became glued to our mobile phones and skippable ads weren’t a feature on tellies.
One Reddit user posted a blast from the past, sharing an infographic created by the radio station WSFM 101.7. The image, collating some of the most memorable phrases from classic Australian TV shows and movies, led other users to do a bit of reminiscing.
Today, we’ll do the same. Whaddya’ say, folks, shall we take a trip down memory lane?
Not happy Jan!
Everybody knows this line, but do you remember where it’s from? The ad starring Deborah Kennedy as the frustrated boss is actually a commercial for the Yellow Pages. (when was the last time you saw one of those venerable tomes around?) It’s funny how something that was initially thought as ‘mildly amusing’ could have such an impact on the Australian vernacular – and how the jammed window that added to the hilarity of the situation is forever etched in many people’s minds. The internet might have killed off phone directories, but this catchphrase lives on.
Lock it in, Eddie
Many words exist in the English language to say ‘yes’. You can use ‘sure’, ‘certainly’, or ‘of course’, among others, but they all sound like a bore compared to Straya’s very own ‘Lock it in, Eddie!’ The phrase, popularised in the game show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ refers to what contestants say to host Eddie McGuire once they’re sure of their answer. ‘Lunch tomorrow?’, ‘Lock it in, Eddie’ is a popular refrain here in the SDC office.
I said pet
Fast Forward is memorable for many things, being one of the highest-rated comedy shows in Australia ever. One of its most recognisable characters was Lynne Postlethwaite, played by Magda Szubanski, who popularised the catchphrase ‘I said pet.’ After her time on the show, Szubanski went on to have a successful career, starring in films such as Babe and Happy Feet, as well as writing a memoir and multiple children's books. However, for many Australians, her portrayal of the acerbic, chain-smoking Lynne Postlethwaite remains a fond memory of a simpler time.
You’re terrible, Muriel
The 1994 classic Muriel’s Wedding was a career launcher for Toni Collette, but it was arguably Gabby Millgate’s line as Joanie that had the biggest cultural impact. Millgate revealed to SBS that the quote almost didn’t make it into the final cut, but editor Jill Bilcock convinced director PJ Hancock to keep it. The quote remains popular more than two decades later, with Collette claiming she continues to hear the quote ‘on a daily basis.’
Look at moi
There’s no underestimating how big of a pop culture phenomenon Kath & Kim was in Australia – almost everyone can quote a few lines from the hit sitcom. But of all its memorable quotes, few match the ubiquity of Kath’s ‘look at moi’. The running gag, used in multiple scenes in the show when Kath tries to give Kim advice, has become a favourite across the nation, including mums who want to channel their inner Kath.
To keep the rabbits out
Kids are a curious bunch, aren’t they? They can ask many questions and put adults in a predicament, such as in the case of the dad in the now-classic Telstra Bigpond ad. The answer to the young Dan’s head scratcher of a question about why the Great Wall of China was built can now be easily found with a quick Google search, but it’s still tempting to whip out a ‘to keep the rabbits out’, thanks to Emperor Nasi Goreng.
Telstra brought back (the now much older) Dan for another commercial last year, ill-prepared to impart knowledge to his nephew just like his dad once was. But thankfully, kids are a lot more adept at using the internet these days. Oh, how times have changed.
She goes, she goes, she goes
The ‘80s was a time for not one but two Kylies, one of which was Kylie Mole. A representative of the then-teen culture from The Comedy Company, the character created by comedian Mary-Anne Fahey became famous for her iteration of ‘’she goes’ or ‘I go’ while narrating a story. The catchphrase was such a mainstream success that it even led to a single peaking at number 8 in the ARIA charts – it wasn’t only Kylie Minogue who should be so lucky.
Look so hot today, like a sunrise
Few love stories have caught the fancy of Aussies as much as Rhonda and Ketut, stars of the AAMI ads in the early 2010s. Conceptualised by the ad agency Ogilvy, the series promoted the AAMI Safe Driver Rewards Program through Rhonda, who found her way to Bali, thanks to her accumulated savings from the program. But a tropical destination wasn’t the only thing she enjoyed as she had also gained a love interest in Ketut, who uttered the corny yet endearing pick-up line during their first ad together. The love team paved the way for multiple follow-ups during its three-year love story that concluded with a happy ever after. The pair, now with a baby, made a comeback in 2021 to call on Aussies to ‘vax up.’
Marge! The rains are ‘ere!
McCain might not be a homegrown brand, but the iconic advert for the brand in the late ‘90s is as Australian as can be. A farmer in the outback was thrilled to hear drops on the corrugated tin roof and called out to Marge as the drought was seemingly over. Unfortunately for him, it was just the kids upstairs eating corn, but the quote has become the national go-to phrase for rain. In 2020, The Danny Lakey Late Show tracked down one of the kids eating corn who revealed that the shoot lasted for five days because they were waiting for the rain to stop.
Are there other quotes from pop culture you believe belong to the list of uniquely Australian phrases? Share your favourites in the comments!
One Reddit user posted a blast from the past, sharing an infographic created by the radio station WSFM 101.7. The image, collating some of the most memorable phrases from classic Australian TV shows and movies, led other users to do a bit of reminiscing.
Today, we’ll do the same. Whaddya’ say, folks, shall we take a trip down memory lane?
Not happy Jan!
Everybody knows this line, but do you remember where it’s from? The ad starring Deborah Kennedy as the frustrated boss is actually a commercial for the Yellow Pages. (when was the last time you saw one of those venerable tomes around?) It’s funny how something that was initially thought as ‘mildly amusing’ could have such an impact on the Australian vernacular – and how the jammed window that added to the hilarity of the situation is forever etched in many people’s minds. The internet might have killed off phone directories, but this catchphrase lives on.
Lock it in, Eddie
Many words exist in the English language to say ‘yes’. You can use ‘sure’, ‘certainly’, or ‘of course’, among others, but they all sound like a bore compared to Straya’s very own ‘Lock it in, Eddie!’ The phrase, popularised in the game show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ refers to what contestants say to host Eddie McGuire once they’re sure of their answer. ‘Lunch tomorrow?’, ‘Lock it in, Eddie’ is a popular refrain here in the SDC office.
I said pet
Fast Forward is memorable for many things, being one of the highest-rated comedy shows in Australia ever. One of its most recognisable characters was Lynne Postlethwaite, played by Magda Szubanski, who popularised the catchphrase ‘I said pet.’ After her time on the show, Szubanski went on to have a successful career, starring in films such as Babe and Happy Feet, as well as writing a memoir and multiple children's books. However, for many Australians, her portrayal of the acerbic, chain-smoking Lynne Postlethwaite remains a fond memory of a simpler time.
You’re terrible, Muriel
The 1994 classic Muriel’s Wedding was a career launcher for Toni Collette, but it was arguably Gabby Millgate’s line as Joanie that had the biggest cultural impact. Millgate revealed to SBS that the quote almost didn’t make it into the final cut, but editor Jill Bilcock convinced director PJ Hancock to keep it. The quote remains popular more than two decades later, with Collette claiming she continues to hear the quote ‘on a daily basis.’
Look at moi
There’s no underestimating how big of a pop culture phenomenon Kath & Kim was in Australia – almost everyone can quote a few lines from the hit sitcom. But of all its memorable quotes, few match the ubiquity of Kath’s ‘look at moi’. The running gag, used in multiple scenes in the show when Kath tries to give Kim advice, has become a favourite across the nation, including mums who want to channel their inner Kath.
To keep the rabbits out
Kids are a curious bunch, aren’t they? They can ask many questions and put adults in a predicament, such as in the case of the dad in the now-classic Telstra Bigpond ad. The answer to the young Dan’s head scratcher of a question about why the Great Wall of China was built can now be easily found with a quick Google search, but it’s still tempting to whip out a ‘to keep the rabbits out’, thanks to Emperor Nasi Goreng.
Telstra brought back (the now much older) Dan for another commercial last year, ill-prepared to impart knowledge to his nephew just like his dad once was. But thankfully, kids are a lot more adept at using the internet these days. Oh, how times have changed.
She goes, she goes, she goes
Look so hot today, like a sunrise
Few love stories have caught the fancy of Aussies as much as Rhonda and Ketut, stars of the AAMI ads in the early 2010s. Conceptualised by the ad agency Ogilvy, the series promoted the AAMI Safe Driver Rewards Program through Rhonda, who found her way to Bali, thanks to her accumulated savings from the program. But a tropical destination wasn’t the only thing she enjoyed as she had also gained a love interest in Ketut, who uttered the corny yet endearing pick-up line during their first ad together. The love team paved the way for multiple follow-ups during its three-year love story that concluded with a happy ever after. The pair, now with a baby, made a comeback in 2021 to call on Aussies to ‘vax up.’
Marge! The rains are ‘ere!
Are there other quotes from pop culture you believe belong to the list of uniquely Australian phrases? Share your favourites in the comments!
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