I understand Clayton's was the name of a soft drink that was promoted as a substitute for alcohol. The term came to mean something that is not what it seems.
Blue Heeler is the name of a tenacious Queensland cattle dog hence the name was given to a copper who never gave up.
You a blue heeler? I would have thought you avoided blues, where possible.
I don't care for blue shoes but I like bluebells.
I have been in more blues than you can poke a stick at.
In England we say 'shake a stick at', yours is more logical somehow, esp for a cop.
You know we have our own language downunder! Poke can be interpreted in many ways.
Some more interesting than others but let's not go there. Have you acquired an Australian accent?
Yes I have, they tell me my Dutch accent has disappeared altogether.
That's one blessing, then!
You think so, I've heard it sounds sexy.
Personally, I prefer English spoken with an Aussie accent. But presumably you can always turn on the Dutch accent if you wish to up the sexiness ante?
Quite a good suggestion wv, remind me when we meet.
Can you distinguish between different English accents - Cockney, Liverpool etc? When I went to Washington DC I kept being asked if I was Australian and I've never been near the place!
I can pick an Englishman or an Australian in a crowd but not the different accents you mention. No problems picking an American, a Dutchman or a German either
I don't think I know one word in Dutch - not even yes or no. But I dare not ask you to teach me something as you might take advantage of my innocence.
Whiteviolet I am disappointed in you, do you think as an Officer and a Gentleman, I would hoodwink a naive English lady?
I suspect you would have a damn good try. Do you speak any other languages? I just speak French - did Latin at school and hope to learn Italian when I can find the time. It's strange visiting a country and being unable to speak the language - although English does seem to be becoming the world language, don't you think?
Your suspicion is unfounded.
. German is another language I speak, learnt French and Esperanto at school but have forgotten that. English will get you anywhere.
I agree - and certainly people all over the world are trying to learn English. It makes me wonder why our education bosses still try to make all school children here (with minor exceptions) learn a foreign language. The only real point is to read literature in the original - but language lessons here concentrate on basic conversation anyway so it sems very muddled thinking. Perhaps someone will educate me on the point of learning languages that are less spoken than English! Am open minded.
The other way round here wv. Our biggest trading partners and close neighbours are China and Japan, yet their language are not taught at school here. In my view this is a great oversight, as trade, in particular with China is literally skyrocketing. My son does a lot of trade with Japan and he often says I wish I could speak Japanese things would be a lot easier.
