Sue James

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Memorable Aussie Advertising

Filed Under: Just for Fun · May 8, 2015 · 6 Comments ·

Following on from my previous post – Not Happy Jan – I’ve reflected on some of the other advertising jingles and sayings that have become part of our Aussie culture.

Below is my list.

(Sadly there’s one for which I couldn’t find the ad anywhere on the web … an old ad for Solvol soap with the line “Wash your hands Geoffrey! … With Solvol Geoffrey!” Apparently nobody has posted that one anywhere yet.)

“I like Aeroplane Jelly …”

This is the origional 1930s version, but the jingle reappeared in ads in the 1980s. I think just about every Aussie who grew up here between the 30s and the 80s could sing you this one.

“We’re happy little Vegemites …”

As with the above jingle, the tune definitely stuck in Aussie minds. But the expression of being a ‘happy little Vegemite’ also became a part of our idiom.

“Put another shrimp on the barbie …”

Whatever people may have thought about this tourism ad, saying ‘put another shrimp on the barbie’ crept into our conversations.

“Louie the Fly”

This one’s a classic. As children, we even started calling flies ‘louies’!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqRY2-aCfAc

“You’re soaking in it … “

This is the Aussie version – there’s a US version as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wSO0-OOgBA

“Go on Freddie … drink it!”

Not a hugely attractive or memorable advert this one … but “go on Freddie .. drink it” became part of our idiom for some reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P-OFW3ZDB4

“A real Norm”

From the Life Be In It ads – a name for someone who’s lazy. This is one of the series of ads they made – I liked the poem. :)

“The 14th of February, 1966 … “

Ok, so not really a saying. But as a kid the words for this jingle to the tune of “Click Go the Shears” definitely stuck in my brain!

“Slip, Slop, Slap”

This is the original from 1981, with Sid the Seagull. Apparently one of the most successful anti-cancer ad campaigns ever run.

Not Happy Jan!

Filed Under: Just for Fun · May 6, 2015 · Leave a Comment ·

I recently used the phrase “Not happy, Jan!” in a Facebook post … and a response from a colleague and friend, Jan Somers, in Belgium reminded me this is a peculiar Aussie expression. I explained and assured him I wasn’t having a go at him at all. :)

We’ve picked the saying up, from all places … a TV advertisement! It’s become a common catch phrase for anything that annoys us or gives us that ‘grrrr’ moment of frustration.

For all my international friends and readers, here’s the original – a Telstra advertisement from 2000. It still makes me smile! :) For the curious, the boss is played by well-known Australian actress Deborah Kennedy.

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Books I’ve Read

Sue's bookshelf: read

The Chase
3 of 5 stars
The Chase
by Janet Evanovich
The Heist
3 of 5 stars
The Heist
by Janet Evanovich
Vanish in Plain Sight
3 of 5 stars
Vanish in Plain Sight
by Marta Perry
Eat Me
4 of 5 stars
Eat Me
by Agnès Desarthe
Odd One Out
3 of 5 stars
Odd One Out
by Monica McInerney

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