Wayne’s Word – saunter

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is SAUNTER.

In Northern Ireland, when someone says they’re going for a saunter, you know they’re not in a rush. They’re taking their time, maybe strolling down a country lane, around the shops, or just walking about with no particular purpose. It’s not just walking, it’s a complete vibe.

Where other places might say “walk” or “stroll,” saunter in Northern Irish usage often has a laid-back, even slightly cheeky tone. An example might be –

“We just went for a saunter around town”.

It’s casual and unbothered, you’re not just moving, you’re taking your time and letting the world wait.

Today we went for a saunter around Wollongong, a coastal city just south of Sydney. It’s about a 50 minute drive from our home in the Shire and although we had been there before, today we just took our time to take it all in and explore a little more. We walked along the beach, spotted not one but two lighthouses and had some fish and chips by the water. It was a really lovely day, blue skies and very sunny, a perfect winter’s day.