Do you tap, tag or touch? And is it on/off or in/out?
No, this is not some line by Dr Seuss; it's to do with an Australian regionalism 🐨
Most countries and languages have words specific to a particular region. These are called 'regionalisms' and people will argue to the death that their local word is the 'correct' one. Ask people in Britain what a bread roll is called, watch out with French people and chocolatine/pain au chocolat/petit pain, and there are loads of online maps of the USA showing where you say soda, pop or coke. Australia is no exception when it comes to regional words... and the heated arguments that go with them – bathers/swimmers/cozzie/togs anyone? 👙
However, with centralised media and distribution networks, many of these regionalisms have given to standard nationwide terms and in turn new regionalisms are becoming rarer. Still, they do occur.
Take for instance the way Aussies describe using a payment card to enter and leave public transport. 🚌
Most of Australia 'taps on' and 'taps off' public transport
but
🔛 Western Australia 'tags on' and 'tags off'
📴 Victoria officially 'touches on' and 'touches off'
Now compare this with London, UK, where you 'tap in' or 'touch in' and 'tap out' or 'touch out' 🚇
Just when you think that English phrasal verbs couldn't get more confusing, eh!
Needing to tap, tag or touch your way successfully into the Australian market with your text and copy? Get in touch with me at info@nicknasev.com
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