I wasn’t sure whether I should include this week’s post in my collection of Common Aussie Slang. After doing a bit of research, though, I decided that it was an important inclusion as it is a distinctly Aussie expression and one that is likely to cause a fair bit of confusion.
You can use ‘carry on like a pork chop’ to describe someone who is behaving in a foolish way, ranting, complaining, or making a fuss. Below are some examples:
“She was carrying on like a pork chop because she didn’t get her own way.”
“Her husband always carries on like a pork chop every time they fight.”
“Their children were carrying on like pork chops about what movie they were going to see at the cinema.”
“He carried on like a pork chop whenever I asked him to help out around the house.”
You may wonder where this interesting Aussie slang expression came from. Many Australians believe it is connected to the spluttering noise of a pork chop that is being fried. [Note: In the past pork chops tended to splutter more due to the higher fat content. They’re healthier now.] According to the Australian National University, though, it’s more likely that it is ‘a variant of the older expression like a pork chop in a synagogue’.
It was back in 1975 that ‘to carry on like a pork chop’ was first recorded, so it has been around my entire life. I’m an Aussie and I’ve heard it used regularly on Aussie soaps and on other Aussie TV media, but I’ve never used this expression myself. If someone said to me that I was carrying on like a pork chop, I’m sure I wouldn’t be pleased. However, it’s probably best just to laugh it off and say, “Fair enough. You may have a point.”
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Glossary
distinctly – in a way that is clearly separate and different from something else
foolish – unwise, stupid, or not showing good judgment
ranting – to speak, write or shout in a loud, uncontrolled, or angry way, often saying confused or silly things
complain – to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
make a fuss – become angry and complain
get your own way [idiom] – to persuade other people to allow you to do what you want
fight [informal] – to argue
splutter – make a series of short explosive spitting or choking sounds
variant – something that is slightly different from other similar things
like a pork chop in a synagogue – meaning something that is unpopular, unlikely, or rare
soap [informal for soap opera] – a series of television or radio programmes about the lives and problems of a particular group of characters. The series continues over a long period and is broadcast (several times) every week.
offended – upset and angry, often because someone has been rude
laugh something off – to make yourself laugh about something unpleasant in order to make it seem less important or serious
fair enough [informal] – something you say to show that you understand why someone has done or said something
have a point – If you say that someone has a point you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered.
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