Need quick US to Aussie lingo translation
 

I am writing a story with an Aussie character and I need to know how an Aussie would call someone a "genius bastard." The context is the character disliking something that someone has done, but also admires the accomplishment.

So what would be the correct lingo?


Thanks!
Steve

smart ****?

" genius bastard " ? I can't recall a single time, I've heard an American use that term.

smart bugga !

We've got the same expression only without the "r" and "e". LOL. I am sure they mean the same.

Trying to clarify the context a little; what he is commenting on is having seen someone do something that really is amazing, but the amazing accomplishment is a cruel act. I hope that makes sense.

The "genius bastard" is not a standard Yank expression. If I were writing the line for an American character it would be a fitting comment though for what he has just witnessed.


Steve

Hey, I think that is what I am looking for!!! I forgot about "bugga."



Steve

In the context you have mentioned, I would suggest smart **** is the most appropriate.

clever dick?

:usa LoL, I with the above and I'm even married to a yank.

Maybe "Ya P.rick" or "You freak" as EFFalcon put it "Smart ****", but could make the character try to say it with a fake American Accent?

genius
 

I reckon he'd be a "smart c--t" :fewl:

smart kent??..

^ agreed LOL

"Arsey bastard" usually refers to someone who "got lucky"

Snap... beat me to it.....

I would have thought, " smart pr1ck."

tricky bugga is another take on that theme.

cunning devil i have heard used so not sure if that is really aussie specific and the devil isn't really meant to mean 'evil' i think its more a general reference.

Kissed on the dick ya bastard!!

An alternative to arsey bastard..

You can use what ever
smart f#$%^r
smart bugga
bright spark
the list is end less but what you need is the arn't yah

as in your a smart bugga arn't yah

Cunning as a Sh!Thouse rat...

'smart ****', prob most applicable
'smart 'kent'' is a good one
'Sneaky bastard'
'What a spanner'
'dropkick'
'what the feck'
or be rodney and say 'how would ya be?!'

idk theres a few

Just straight assey.. Ya assey barstard..

Correct term is "sly bastard". Bastards are not unique to the US. We have plenty of them here too. Many serve in our state government, although those particular ones aren't very sly!

This!!^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!..........forget "bugga"! it's just a dumbass cliché that is only said on TV for dopey US/Euro tourists.......:doh

"Not quite as dumb as ya look are ya"

Winnar! :D

Only time ever its appropriate to even hint at using that word on this forum! :yelrotflm

Steve have a listen to Austen Tayshus... Australiana......

Slippery Gypsy!
Not Australian
But my favorite term haha

+1. and that toyota bugger ad that got the word popular was actually from new zealand i believe.

Do you mean "old Aussie" colloquial terms? What age is the character? The youth of Australia has a different vocabulary as far as slang is concerned compared to the older generations.

If the character's name is Alf Stewart, you could say something like "YA Flamin Drongo".

That ought to work

yeah...an american one mostly, movies & music taking over the slang

do you mean amazing as in 'mind boggling', and being dumbfounded? or genuinely amazing?

i don't think any of the terms given encapsulate this bit.

this is it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im6VEJKd1aA
but you have to know Aus to pick up on the bad jokes (still a classic)

I agree.

Bloody clever prick. Deadset you dickhead, you're lower than a roach.

You little ripper but fair suck of the sav! Fair dinkum, you're a bloody bastard.

I imagine I should replace you & you're with ya

Haha. Classic.

So I said to me mate Al, "Hey where can Marsoo pee Al?"

She can go Out Back with the fellas. She's probably seen a **** or two!" :yelrotflm

Or

"C'mon let's go Anna."

"Nah. I'm hanging around til Gum leaves!"

so any of you clever dicks know the name of the swagman in waltzing matilda..??....

Jolly ?
:peepwall :lol

Andy. Andy sat, Andy watched... :lol

A genius could be that but they don't have to be a genius to be that. it would depend on how you would put it.
I know a lot of cunning people but they are dim whits.

I think it's just that the person is an evil genius to be correct in Aussie English.

The writer will have to explain a bit more about the story line.

we have a winner.. :yelrotflm

The word genius now days is probably watered down like we hear the word brilliant used a lot now. what some call brilliant i call OK or good or fine. but i would call brilliant something like it's exactly spot on or i could say that is brilliant he is a genius, because it is really exceptional.

And the word bastard can be misinterpret by non Aussies.

Another thing i hate is the words (are you winning) when you are working. :doh it would be OK if i was betting some where but it's just really moronic simpleton dribble anywhere other.

wow.. you must be a bag of fun to work with....

"ya mad ya bastard!" might be the term you're looking for. From the film Wake in Fright, Australian outback film.

When was work about fun pottery.
I am extremely nice compered to the people i first started out working with.

I never heard of the term apart from southerners and younger people in the last 10 years.

Up hear in QLD you would say how ya going. or it going.

And i fail to see how working can be considered winning unless you are a con artist that just ripped off someone. and you are over joyed at the out come financially.

Other words that are used now days like
Sick !!!!!!!
wicked !!!!!
Are used in a stupid idiotic foolish way.
I think it's all got to do with people on drugs. :stop i am sick of it. why should we have to put up with nonsence.

Austen Tayshus is pretty cool. We had a comedian here in the States who did a routine that someone made into a song. It used all kinds of celebrity names.

"Was Glenn Close or was Jamie Farr?"

Very similar material, funny stuff.


Well, the story is a screenplay I wrote that I am learning how to rewrite as a novel. I had to write this particular scene in novel form as an assignment. In the script the Aussie character's words are written in usual Yank English. It is up to the actor to execute the Aussie accent. Well, in a novel you have to write out the accent and spell words so that the accent gets read, even if it means misspelling words. Well, I realized while writing this scene as a novel that I needed something better than "...genius bastard." As mentioned, that is not a common Yank expression. I came up with it myself for the story. I figured there would be a better Aussie expression for it though, that's why I started this thread.

Anyway, I went with "sma't bugga." That's how I wrote the accent for "smart". I have not heard the "r" ennunciated too much by the Aussie characters/people I have seen. I am NOT SAYING that all Aussies say it this way, I am saying the Aussies I have seen in entertainment and interviews have said it that way. You know, like when you see an interview with a Yank who has seen a UFO they always have the southern accent. :doh

Thanks to everyone for your helpful suggestions! I was too rushed to be able to wait for everyone's responses. They gave me an education anyway.


Steve

P.S. The character is retired, so that tells you he is older.

You weren't doing to bad till you mispelt 'nonsenSe'.
My old job was fun and we quite often had a win,it meant we had saved someones life.
Now back in your box the adults are talking.