Tag: Wayne’s Word

Wayne’s Word – woke

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 WOKE.

I know this word is controversial at the moment but genuinely, to be woke is simply to be aware, to be alert. Alive to the fact that not everyone gets a fair go.

Somewhere along the way, woke has gained a bad reputation.

It started out as a powerful word in African American communities, a quiet warning to stay awake to injustice, inequality, and racism but over time, it has become twisted and hijacked by culture wars. It is used as a sarcastic swipe against people who care too much, speak up too often, or challenge the status quo. Suddenly, being woke is painted as weak or annoying or “too much.”

However, here is the thing, woke still means what it always did, that you are caring. Noticing when things aren’t right and standing beside people who become ignored or pushed down. Being brave enough to ask, “Is this fair?” even when it’s easier to stay silent.

If woke means choosing kindness over cruelty, awareness over apathy, and progress over pretending, then maybe we all need to wake up a bit.

Sorry my word today is a bit of a rant but I keep hearing all the time that people are too woke as if it is a bad thing. It is the opposite actually, being woke is a good thing and shows that you have empathy for others.

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Wayne’s Word – noggin

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 NOGGIN.

Im not sure if this is a world wide word but in Northern Ireland it is used a lot and we’re talking about your head (as in the thing attached to your neck).

Used affectionately (or sometimes cheekily), you’ll hear things like:

“Use your noggin!” – meaning think about it, would you?! or

“He cracked his noggin open falling off that wall.”

Whether you’re scratching it, banging it or trying to get something into it, there’s no better word for your head than noggin.

Have you heard this word before? Or do you have another word for your head?

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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.

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Wayne’s Word – dure

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 DURE (pronounced like lure).

When someone is “dure” in Northern Irish dialect, they’re being:

Sullen, grumpy, surly, unsmiling or hard to crack.

It’s often used to describe someone who’s in bad form, moody, or just plain difficult to be around.

For example, “He’s a dure wee man, he never cracks a smile.”

I thought of this word when being served by a sales assistant today at the post office, who looked pretty dure. This is quite often the case when I visit the post office, for whatever reason 🙊.

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Wayne’s Word – croaky

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 CROAKY.

You know that grim voice you get when you’re bunged up with the cold? You sound like Kermit the frog when he’s croaking. The word has that classic onomatopoeic charm, it sounds like what it is.

In Northern Ireland, if someone says “You’re awful croaky sounding”, they’re not wrong, you’ve likely caught something. Maybe a dose of the cold or you’ve been shouting too much at the weekend if you were out in a noisy bar. It’s that hoarse, raspy voice that sounds like it’s doing its best to pack in altogether.

We caught a cold in the Philippines and it’s taking a while to shift. However, arriving back in Sydney, I notice everyone else has a cold here too. Thankfully my voice is sounding better this evening thanks to some hot liquids and throat lozenges. Are you familiar with sounding croaky?

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Wayne’s Word – fifteens

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 FIFTEENS.

Origin: Northern Ireland

Meaning: A no-bake sweet treat made with 15 digestive biscuits, 15 marshmallows, and 15 glacé cherries – hence the name, Fifteens!

Fifteens are a beloved Northern Irish traybake meaning they’re made in a tray, no oven required. These treats became popular in the 20th century as a quick, budget-friendly treat. Their simplicity is key: just five ingredients, no baking, and a bit of fridge time, normally a few hours.

They’re especially common at church fetes, tea breaks, and family gatherings or in my case, a chance to showcase something from Northern Ireland as part of my culture. I have made them a couple of times and they have always been well received. I am making them again this evening for my students as it will be their last day of class on Tuesday.

I have added the recipe below if you ever care to make them. I’m not much of a baker so these are perfect for me to make, it’s hard to go wrong!

15 digestive biscuits (crushed) 15 glacé cherries (halved) 15 marshmallows (chopped), 1/2 tin condensed milk (just enough to bind) and coconut sprinkles (for rolling the mix in).

Instructions:

Mix crushed biscuits, marshmallows, and cherries in a bowl. Stir in condensed milk until it holds together. Roll into a log shape on baking paper, coat in coconut. Chill in the fridge for a few hours. Slice into 15 pieces and voila, you have yourself a tasty treat to share.

Here is my fresh batch just made!
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Wayne’s Word – chuffed

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 CHUFFED.

If you’re in Northern Ireland and someone says they’re “chuffed,” it’s safe to assume something good just happened. This is a word that we Northern Irish use a lot and I can honestly say I was chuffed to have had an amazing holiday in the Philippines and also chuffed to bits to have made it home safe and sound.

“Chuffed” is a wonderfully expressive word that means delighted, pleased, or proud. Unlike louder celebrations, being chuffed is more of a humble, heartfelt happiness. It’s used when you’re quietly happy about something, like getting a compliment from someone you admire, or seeing your favourite team win after a long dry spell.

In Northern Ireland, chuffed to bits or pure chuffed adds extra oomph. Have you ever heard of this word or have something similar that you use in this context?

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Wayne’s Word – salamat po

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 SALAMAT PO.

I have used this word A LOT over the past two weeks and it simply means thank you. A little word that goes a long way. Let’s break it down –

Salamat = thank you

Po = a particle added to show politeness and respect, especially to elders or people in authority.

Every time I say this to a Filipino, they are so extremely grateful, they even double take when I say it, strange as it sounds, as it’s only a word but I think it really makes them happy. The Filipinos I have met have been tremendously friendly and helpful, reaffirming what I already know about Filipino people.

It has been an absolute joy to attend a Filipino wedding here of my good friends and be immersed in their colourful, warm and loving culture. More to come from the Philippines! We are about to board our flight home to Sydney in a couple of hours so I will hopefully see you all from Down Under.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – pride

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 PRIDE.

Following on from today’s Thursday Door post I thought ‘pride’ would be an adequate choice of word for today.

The word pride comes from Old English prȳde, meaning a sense of self-worth or dignity. At its core, pride is about feeling good about who you are and not hiding or apologising.

#loveislove 🌈

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Wayne’s Word – disembark

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 DISEMBARK.

Meaning – to leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.

This seems fitting today as we left Manila this morning for the island of Boracay. I absolutely love this word and I was reminded of it today with Philippine Airways. They have a great method of disembarking by asking each row at a time to collect their over head luggage and leave the airplane. I thought this was great as normally people all stand up together and it can become frantic as everyone is desperate to leave.

We loved our short stay in Manila and I will post our highlights soon. We are now in Boracay for the next few days with the aim of relaxing and appreciating the beauty on offer here.

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Wayne’s Word – Kumusta

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 KUMUSTA

(Pronounced: kuh-moos-tah)

Kumusta is a Filipino word for hello / how are you. It’s very common greeting and one that I will be using from tomorrow as we head to the Philippines for a two week holiday. You can also say Kumusta Po to make it more polite / formal.

I may be quieter on my blog over the next couple of weeks or I might actually have more time, it’s hard to tell yet haha. I’m heading over for a good friend’s wedding, however, I have wanted to visit the Philippines for many years so this was the perfect chance to make it happen. I look forward to showing you all around and I might even find some interesting doors. Let me know if you have been to the Philippines and want to share any places of interest to investigate. I love hearing other suggestions.

Have a great weekend everyone.

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Wayne’s Word – nomad

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 NOMAD.

What is a nomad?

Traditionally: A member of a people or community who move from place to place, rather than settling permanently in one location. This movement is usually seasonal and often in search of food, water, or land.

Modern usage: A person who does not stay long in the same place, someone who is constantly moving, whether physically, emotionally, or professionally.

So, a nomad is someone who moves with purpose, they are not lost but unsettled by choice. Can you be a career nomad?

Yes absolutely! Gone are the days when careers followed a single, straight path from hire to retire. Today people change direction. They re-skill, freelance, contract, consult. Some jump to completely different industries and could even change countries.

It’s not aimlessness. It’s adaptive and exploratory. Sometimes it can be out of necessity and sometimes out of curiosity. I know, especially in Northern Ireland, people thought that they were better than others for being in the same job for 20+ years. I think that mindset is changing and staying in the same role, now can be seen as a disadvantage as you’re not spreading your wings or learning other skills.

A career nomad isn’t afraid to ask: What else is out there? I’m not saying it works for everyone but if you never change roles, you will never know.

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Wayne’s Word – Cheshire

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 CHESHIRE.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, Cheshire is a noun –

– a county in northwestern England.

– but can also be used as part of the phrase “Cheshire cat” – a fictional cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll or in the Disney animated movie. The cat is known for its broad, fixed smile and its ability to disappear, sometimes leaving only its grin behind (rather creepy).

You might be familiar with the expression – “to grin like a Cheshire cat”, meaning to smile very widely, often in a self-satisfied or mysterious way. I always think of someone looking very smug with themselves, they smile like a Cheshire cat, like the cat that got the cream. As far as I’m aware, there is no real Cheshire cat!

Have you ever heard or used this word / phrase? You can see an image of the Cheshire Cat here. This was spotted at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

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Wayne’s Word – hurkle-durkle

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 HURKLE-DURKLE.

Today’s word is an amusingly lazy one: hurkle-durkle, a fantastic word that I learned from my seven year old niece when she accused me of hurkle-durkle.

Originating from Scots dialect, hurkle-durkle means to lounge about in bed long after it’s time to get up. It depicts the image of someone cocooned in the covers, half-asleep, resisting the call of responsibility.

Examples –

It’s Sunday morning and the sun’s peeking through the blinds? You hurkle-durkle.

The alarm has gone off but so has your will to move. You hurkle-durkle.

It’s one of those words that makes laziness sound poetic but honestly, we all need a good hurkle-durkle now and then. It’s not procrastination – it’s intentional rest, your body’s way of telling you that you need to rest.

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Wayne’s Word – buzzing

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 BUZZING.

Used in Northern Ireland to mean: happy, ecstatic, full of energy. Im not thinking of bees or wasps today.

Have you ever been so chuffed you could burst? That’s buzzing. In Northern Ireland, if you’re buzzing, you’re not just happy, you’re electric.

Some examples:

“Buzzing I got that job!”

“I was buzzing after the gig last night, unreal atmosphere.”

“The whole place was buzzing when he scored that last-minute goal.”

Let me know if you have ever used this word in this context 🙂

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Wayne’s Word – done

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 DONE.

Adjective – finished, fed up, emotionally clocked out.

I am so done with Sydney trains. All this week they have been delayed for one reason or another. When the system works, it is great but as soon as one thing goes wrong, the whole train network comes to a standstill. I have emotionally clocked out haha. I should have driven to work.

Anyways, hope you’re all having a great Friday.

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Wayne’s Word – lashing

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 LASHING.

I feel like I am teaching you all my favourite Northern Irish words and I have to say I am enjoying it. However, today in Sydney it is absolutely lashing! That just means that it is raining very heavily, as in extreme rainfall.

If you’ve ever set foot in Northern Ireland or even just stood too close to someone from there, you will have likely heard this phrase when the heavens open up.

Lashing in local lingo doesn’t mean whipping or punishment (well, maybe it feels that way). It’s our dramatic, no-nonsense way of saying it’s absolutely pouring. Buckets. Sideways rain that soaks you even if you’re under an umbrella.

It’s not just rain. It’s proper rain.

Not a drizzle, not a sprinkle.

It’s lashing! This is what we’re having today, so I feel like I am at home in Northern Ireland. The only difference is that it’s warm here and even the rain is warm. What phrases do you use when it rains heavily???

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Wayne’s Word – quare

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 QUARE.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with someone from Northern Ireland, chances are you’ve heard the word “quare” pop up in conversation. But what exactly does it mean?

Definition:

Quare is an all-purpose adjective in Northern Irish everyday language. It originates from a local pronunciation of “queer,” but it doesn’t carry the modern connotations of gender or sexuality. Instead, it simply means:

Very remarkable, unusual, excellent or just a general emphasis on something.

It’s a flexible word – quare handy, you could say.

Examples you could hear in Northern Ireland:

“He’s a quare lad, so he is.” – means that he’s a really good guy.

“That was a quare feed!” – means that was a big or delicious meal.

“It’s quare warm today.” – means it’s very warm today.

“She’s a quare one.” – means she’s a character / unique / odd in a good way.

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Wayne’s Word – indecisive

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 INDECISIVE 🤷🏼‍♂️

“I used to be indecisive but now I’m not so sure”.

Haha…I love this quote and I say it a lot. I am known for being indecisive, although I have to say I’m getting better with age. I like to think of it as me being very easy going. I take things in my stride and tend to go with the flow, however, like I said, this is changing the older that I become.

Have a great Sunday everyone and I hope you can decide what to do today 😝

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Wayne’s Word – habibi

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 HABIBI.

Today’s word is a term of endearment from the Middle East and simply means “my love” or “my dear.”

It isn’t just for people you love, in Arabic-speaking communities, habibi is used for friends, family, kids, even the guy who makes your coffee just right every morning. It’s affection packed into a single, beautiful word and can be thought of as of the equivalent of “darling” or “sweetheart,” but with more cultural soul and musicality.

I first heard it in my nursing profession, when some Arabic patients would call me habibi for looking after them as a term of gratitude. I heard it again today and I thought, yes that’s a fantastic word.

I thought I would tie in my word today with a flower of the day, seeing as it’s Friday. Today I am showcasing the classic red rose.

In many Middle Eastern cultures, red roses often symbolize romantic love, so they’re commonly used in music, poetry, and art alongside terms like habibi. For example: in Arabic love poetry and songs, phrases like “ya habibi” are often paired with floral imagery.

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Wayne’s Word – famished

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 FAMISHED

Definition: Extremely hungry; ravenous (another word I love).

Famished comes from the Middle English famen, meaning to starve, which itself derives from Old French – affamer, a combination of a- (toward) and faim (hunger). The word has been around since at least the 15th century, originally meaning “to starve to death.” Over time, it has mellowed somewhat and is now more about being really, really hungry! I use it as an exaggeration of being hungry but I’m definitely more than just a little peckish. Normally I have an apple at this time to tie me over but I have ran out of apples.

Me looking forward to my dinner this evening 😜
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Wayne’s Word – engrossed

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 ENGROSSED.

Meaning:

So focused or absorbed in something that you ignore everything else around you.

Example:

He was completely engrossed in his book and didn’t hear the phone ring.

For me this morning, I was so engrossed in reading people’s blog posts that I missed my train stop. This is not the first time this has happened and I was aware it could happen, yet I still missed my stop!!!! Grrrr, I’m also not used to taking the train to work anymore. Ok no more blogging this morning!

See you later.

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Wayne’s Word – banter

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 BANTER

After reading Dan Antion’s post today, I realised the characters were having great banter and it reminded me how cool this word is. I think it’s a word used in Australia and it is definitely popular in the UK and Ireland, however, I’m not sure about other English speaking countries. For those of you who haven’t heard of banter, it can be described as a playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks. For example,

“There was plenty of banter between the teammates after the win.”

Banter is often associated with camaraderie and quick wit. It’s especially common in British and Irish cultures, where trading jabs among friends is a sign of closeness. However, banter walks a fine line—what’s funny to one person might come off as cutting to another. The best banter is mutual, clever, and never cruel.

In Northern Ireland, banter is practically a social glue. It’s more than just joking—it’s an art form. Friends “slag” each other off (tease) with sharp, often hilariously cutting remarks, all in good fun. If you can’t take a bit of banter, you’re seen as a bit soft.

Common phrases:

“He’s full of banter.” (He’s funny and sharp-witted.) “Just a bit of banter, don’t be getting thick!” (“Getting thick” means taking offense.)

I like banter the best when it’s lighthearted, not a joke with a jag! It should be fun for all parties involved 😊. BTW, happy Saturday to you all. I’m on my way home from work and couldn’t be happier!

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Wayne’s Word – identity

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 IDENTITY

Something strange happened to me today. A stranger asked me what part of Ireland I am from as they had heard my accent. I said I was from the North. They looked at me strangely, so I said I’m from Belfast. The response was shocking. “Eww” they said. I looked blankly with confusion. “Eww you’re British”. I was honestly speechless and just walked away.

Now being from Northern Ireland, I know it’s tricky as we can be British and Irish yet neither the Irish or British believe this (some, not all). We’re born on the island of Ireland but the North is governed by Britain. Some people will identify as Irish and some British. I don’t particularly mind being either but the older I become, I find myself identifying more as Irish. I don’t find it insulting to be called either but the fact that they made a sound and facial expression like they were disgusted, truly surprised me, especially from a young Australian person. I felt attacked for no reason.

Speaking from experience, many Irish people don’t consider us Irish enough to be Irish and many Brits don’t even know we’re part of Britain. Therefore, we really struggle at times with our identity, or at least I do on occasions. Does anyone else have issues with their identity or experienced something similar?

I know being Irish or British doesn’t define me as a whole and to be honest, I’m happy to be included in both. I also primarily consider myself to be a proud Northern Irish man, yet that is just one aspect of me. Identity also includes qualities, beliefs, personality, and expressions that make a person, not just where you are from. What are your thoughts? Do you have similar issues with where you’re from? I am intrigued to hear other views.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – madness

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 MADNESS

Today’s word is a term that flips between chaos and charm. It can mean mental unrest, wild excitement, or pure and plain fun. For anyone raised on ska-pop and famous British anthems, “Madness” is more than a feeling—it’s a band.

Madness, the iconic British group that brought ska to the forefront in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Their 1980 hit “Baggy Trousers” is a perfect snapshot of schoolboy rebellion, laced with nostalgia and mischief. It’s a musical love letter to youthful chaos and a celebration of the kind of madness that makes life worth living.

Tonight we are being entertained by a Madness tribute band known as Baggy Trousers. Has anyone here heard of Madness or know any of their songs?

One of their big hits
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Wayne’s Word – whirlwind

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 WHIRLWIND

Literal Meaning:

A whirlwind is a spinning column of air, like a small tornado. It moves quickly and unpredictably.

Figurative Meaning:

Used to describe something that happens very fast, often confusing or overwhelming – this is me today, crazy, busy day at work, train home, quick change and out again to meet a friend for dinner. Anyone else have these whirlwind days, where you don’t have time to even think straight?! I am currently sitting on the train back into the city and thought this would be my word for today.

Hope you all have a more settled day.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – against

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 AGAINST

I love this quote from Henry Ford, spotted at Adelaide airport yesterday.

This is a great inspirational quote, reminding us that life rarely moves in a straight line. Progress is often made, not by going with the flow but by moving against it.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

The moments of greatest resistance are often the moments right before we lift off into something greater.

Today, I’m reminded that being against the wind isn’t a setback — it’s part of the journey upward.

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Wayne’s Word – earth

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 EARTH

Today is Earth Day, set up in 1970 with the overall goal to remind people of the importance of a healthy environment and to inspire changes—both big and small—that contribute to a more sustainable future. I can’t believe we have known about the dangers of not looking after our planet for so long and yet we still continue to abuse it. Earth day should be every day 🌎

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Wayne’s Word – glee

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 GLEE

“Monday Monday, so good to me

But the rest of the week off,

Brings me so much glee”

I have finished working over Easter and now it is my turn to have a few days off. We’re heading to Adelaide for a few days, somewhere I have always wanted to visit, namely for the architecture, old churches and the wine tastings. I will keep you all posted.

Ps. I love the word glee and also the TV show if anyone has ever seen it!

All the best,

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – hope

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 HOPE.

I’ve been thinking of Good Friday a lot today, more so because I was working and talking to my patients about their plans for the day. One of the many things I love about Sydney is that it is so multicultural and I really enjoy learning about different religions and traditions, with today being a very important day for many.

I heard the word ‘Hope’ on TV when I returned home from work and it got me thinking about the connection to Good Friday. I feel that hope and Good Friday are deeply connected—not because the day is happy, but because it dares us to believe that something better is just ahead, even when we can’t see it yet and I believe that to be the case with this special day.

I hope you all have a lovely Good Friday, if you celebrate observe it.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – futter

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 FUTTER

(Northern Irish slang, pronounced “footer”).

This is one of my all time favourite words, a very local, colloquial word that is a verb (a doing word, e.g. to futter) and it’s got that great, flexible Northern Irish charm to it.

It typically means to fidget with something, mess around or waste time doing something in an unproductive or clumsy way. It’s a bit like procrastinating but doing silly things that really don’t need to be done at this current moment of time.

Examples in use:

– “He’s been futtering about with that car all morning and still hasn’t fixed it.”

– “Quit futtering and get a move on!”

It is usually lighthearted or teasing — it’s not harsh. Someone who is “futtering” might be tinkering, daydreaming or just not getting on with it.

Let me know if you have ever heard of this word or maybe you have another word to describe futtering.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – craic

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 CRAIC.

I thought it might be fun to introduce you to a very common Irish word today, which you might have already heard before. Craic is basically a word for fun / good times, not to be confused with crack (as in the drug), although it sounds the same as crack but can only be spelled as craic. I hope that makes sense. Here are a couple of ways we can use this fantastic word :

“Having the craic” basically means having fun, enjoying good conversation or being in good company. It can involve laughter, music, storytelling, maybe a pint or two—just generally having good vibes.

“What’s the craic?” is like asking, “What’s going on?” or “What’s the news?” It’s a casual greeting, sort of like saying “What’s up?” or “How are things?”

Here are a couple of examples:

“We were out at the pub last night, great craic altogether!” or “it was great craic”.

“What’s the craic, Wayne? Haven’t seen you in ages!”

It’s a key part of Irish culture, mixing humor, storytelling, and a laid-back spirit. Please do not say “Having a craic” which I have heard some Aussies say haha.

Let me know if you have heard this word being used. I love to hear it being used and it always reminds me of home.

Wayne

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Wayne’s Word – shift

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 SHIFT.

This has a double meaning for me today. I am having a shift with my blogging, not a huge shift but by starting this blogging series, I am hoping to be kept engaged with my blog and create a desire to blog more frequently. For instance, I very rarely would blog on a Monday.

Also when I think of shift, it makes me think of my shift at work today. As a nurse, we talk about shifts worked, as I’m sure many other professions do too. Today I have an extra shift this week, bringing my shift total to six this week. I don’t mind as I will be taking some time off over the Easter holidays, so I will just keep my head down and work away until Sunday again. I don’t want to wish my life away but roll on the weekend haha. I hope you have all had a marvellous Monday! I feel like once Monday is over, you can conquer the rest of the week.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘shift’? You can even simply share your thoughts in the comment section if you wish or create your own blog post.

Many thanks,

Wayne

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500th blog post and beyond 💬

Hey there! It’s Sunday night here in Sydney and I’m trying not to think about work tomorrow haha. I received a notification this week to say I had posted 500 times on my blog, quite the milestone, for me at least.

I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all your support and quietly encouraging me to keep blogging. Admittedly, I am not the best blogger in the world and I have many time constraints but I do love blogging when I can and absolutely love engaging with the blogging community. I hope I am able to make a small impact and even make you smile while reading one of my posts.

Riding on the high of my 500 posts, I thought this would be a good time to announce my new blogging series entitled “Wayne’s Word”. I have been thinking about this for a while now and feel that this is the perfect time to start my own blogging series.

Wayne’s Word

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.

I’ll do my best to share a word each day—but life has its own rhythm, and some days might be quieter than others. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. And whenever the words come, I will be here to share them.

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

I also have my own logo that you are welcome to add to your post but no pressure 😝

Stay tuned for my first word coming tomorrow and again, many, many thanks!

Wayne 💬

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