| dag | Some who is a joker or comedian. A funny guy, or hard case. “I like Jane, she’s such a dag. She’s always coming out with the most outrageous comments!” |
| dairy | A small corner store, often open 7 days a week. |
| de facto | The name used for a couple living together, as in marriage, but not actually being married. Overseas it is often called “living in common law.” |
| dear | Expensive. “The food at that place is too dear. I’d rather buy something cheaper.” |
| ding | A small dent, generally in a car or other vehicle “John’s car had a small ding in the side after another driver hit his car.” |
| dodgy | Bad. Unreliable. Of Questionable morality or intentions “That man seems like a dodgy character to me.” |
| doing the ton | Driving at 100mph. May be used to describe someone driving extremely fast. “I was doing the ton on the motorway.” |
| dole | A common name for the Work and Income Unemployment Benefit, paid to someone who is eligible to work, but is unable to find a job. “After University I couldn’t get a job so I went on the dole for a while.” |
| doodackie / doodacky | An object or thing, the name of which you have temporarily forgotten. See also thingummybob and doodad. “What was the name of that doodackie you were telling me about?” |
| doodad | An object or thing, the name of which you have temporarily forgotten. See also doodackie and thingummybob. “He had a new doodad that he was showing everyone.” |
| dork | A term for a person you don’t like, generally meaning that they are stupid, or an idiot. Often used as an insult. “Don’t be such a dork!” |
| dough | Money. “I don’t have enough dough to buy a car at the moment.” |
| down the gurgler | Meaning down the drain. Used to denote a failed plan or waste of money. “The new TV I bought didn’t last long. Talk about money down the gurgler!” |
| draughts | Another term for the game of checkers, or the actual playing pieces used in the game. “Anyone for a game of drafts?” |
| dreaded lurgy | A slang expression for an illness, especially the cold or flu. Sometimes used as slang for sexually transmitted infections. “I haven’t been at work all week as I’ve got the dreaded lurgy.” |
| dressing gown | A bathrobe. |
| drive around the bend | Used to describe the feeling of being annoyed so much you feel like you are going crazy or will you’re your temper. “The way my children are acting it’s enough to drive me around the bend!” |
| drongo | An idiot. Often used as an insult. “Those guys are a bunch of drongos” |
| drop in it | To get into trouble. “Please don’t say anything, or you will really drop me in it!” |
| drop your gear | To take your clothes off. To get undressed. “I’d just dropped my gear before taking a shower and there was a knock on the door.” |
| dude | A cool man. Often used to refer to a male friend. There was an iconic New Zealand rock group called Th’Dudes, featuring Dave Dobbyn. “Hey dude, what’s up?” |
| dudette | A cool woman. Derived from the word dude. “Hey dudes and dudettes, what’s going on?” |
| dummy | Known as a pacifier in American English. A small rubber or plastic nipple given to babies to suck on, with the intention of keeping them quiet. |
| dunny | Typically an outdoor toilet. May be used generally as a synonym for the toilet, bathroom, or lavatory. |
| duvet | A type of bedding, traditionally filled with down or feathers. It is similar to a quilt, but generally has a removable cover and is often used without a top sheet. |
| dux | A title given to the top student in academic achievement during final year of high school. |
Kiwi Slang Dictionary
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If you hear or read a New Zealand colloquial or slang word or phrase and would like an explanation of what it means then feel welcome to ask a question in the form below.
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