5 very Aussie things American Bluey fans are totally confused about

First it was the way we speak, now US parents are scratching their heads over things that are classically Aussie.

Recently, an American mum shared all the Aussie slang heard in episodes of Bluey that make no sense to her. It had the US fans of the animation hard-relating and Aussies on the floor laughing. 

Are we really THAT strange to our friends abroad?

The short answer is: Yes, a little. 

While the much-loved Aussie cartoon features plenty of slang and moments that us local folk can relate to (it's why we love Bluey so much!), American parents are often left scratching their heads over them. 

Let's go through just a handful of scenes that have people chatting about online. 

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US parents are not sure why Aussie's wear paper crowns at Christmsas time. Image: ABC

1. Wearing paper crowns at Christmas time

To many of us, and even our relatives in the UK, popping a Christmas cracker and donning the naff paper crown is an annual tradition that just happens when we sit down for our festive lunch. It's often followed by a bad Christmas joke from the cracker and a plastic toy that is deemed a choking hazard for anyone under five. 

But the tradition has gotten a little lost on our American viewers who seem to be puzzled about why all the pooches are wearing crowns when they enjoy their Chrissy lunch. 

"Can any of our lovely Australian members tell me why they're all wearing the crowns in s2e26 Christmas Swim?" one person asked in the Adult Bluey fans Facebook page. "I thought it was so cute and would love to know more about it!"

While many US fans pondered the same thing, Aussie viewers were very quick to jump into the comments to clear up the query - with many also amazed that they didn't know about the tradition.

"Wait, ... Not everyone wears the paper crowns at Christmas? Mind blown lol," one person replied. 

And another chimed in: "My mind is blown, I thought Christmas hats/crackers were universal. It is basically Grinch behaviour to not wear a hat at Christmas lunch in our family. We need to send you some!"

"Love how the world is learning about our Aussie ways. Thanks Bluey," another added.

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2. Why is there a bottle of wine in the bushes? 

The episode 'Daddy Robot' has had many people asking questions - mostly around why on earth there is a bottle of wine poking out of the bushes. 

Earlier this year, an American mum took to Facebook group Bluey Mums to ask what the "oddly shaped object" was that can be seen in one of the scenes. 

"Inquiring minds would love to know what's up with the wine bottle in the bushes in Daddy Robot," she asked the group. 

And how we LOL'd!

But Aussies, who obviously knew it was a cricket bat (der!), were the minority. As it turns out, while Cricket is a popular Aussie sport, it's not one that is that popular in the United States. And plenty of other parents shared how they also thought it was a bottle of wine in the bushes. 

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"My American eyes definitely saw a wine bottle," another US mum commented on the post.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't realise & definitely thought she could relate to Chilli even more because definitely at first glance it looks like a wine bottle," another added. 

Needless to say, many Aussies were gobsmacked that they had no clue what the piece of sporting equipment was. 

"I can't believe Americans don't know cricket," a stunned follower replied. 

US fans don't play that much cricket... Image: ABC

RELATED: 7 Bluey episodes that are censored in the US

3. Aussies have a separate toilet to the bathroom? 

For many older Aussie homes, it's completely normal to have your toilet separate to the main bathroom. It's a household feature that American fans can't quite get their heads around. 

A mum recently asked in the Bluey Family Fans Facebook group: "Question for Aussies, is it normal to not have the toilet in the main bathroom and it be its own thing in a room with nothing else? Just watched Hide and Seek episode and noticed she moved Chattermax to a whole new room to wash hands."

Aussies couldn't believe that this was yet another thing that makes total sense to many of us but is not even a thing for those overseas. 

Fans jumped in to clear things up. 

"Yes. Toilets are usually in a different room sometimes outside," one person answered. 

"Yes! I’m Australian and my main bathroom has a bath/shower and sink in it and the toilet is in a seperate room!" another fan shared, also adding how convenient it is having the rooms laid out this way.

"I love it because it means you can go to the toilet without disturbing the person in the shower."

And another joked: "In Australia, we often have the toilet outside. This means we get to become friendly with snakes and red-back spiders whilst doing a number two."

Oh we're funny! But also, not untrue....

Wait, Aussies have a separate room for just the toilet? Image: ABC

4. What is a bin chicken? 

Ibis birds (or Bin Chickens as they're often referred to as) are iconically Australian. We see many of them rummaging through our rubbish bins or stealing sandwiches out of little childrens' hands and think nothing of it.

But the unique-looking birds with massive beaks are definitely not something that our American pals are familiar with. 

"From an American to Australian. What is a bin chicken? Or at least I think that's what they call the big bird with a large beak," one viewer asked in the Bluey family fans Facebook group. 

And Aussies tuned in for the answers. 

"They are Ibis. The most annoying ugly bird in Australia," one person cleared up. 

"They always rummage for food scraps."

While they weren't familiar with the Ibis, it appeared as though fans from other countries do have their own versions of a bin chicken. 

"Calling them bin chickens makes me think of us referring to raccoons as 'trash pandas'," one laughed. 

What's a bin chicken? Image: ABC

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5. Why do Aussies paint their faces at the beach? 

We take sun safety very seriously here in Australia. But taking things to the next level and painting our faces in bright-coloured zinc is something that only WE do... apparently. 

Seeing Bingo and Bluey's faces being painted while at the beach had one mum very confused. 

“Okay mommas, US momma here,” she said in a private Blluey group. “Is the beach face paint just an Aussie thing? And what is it? I’d love to get beach face paint for my kiddos.”

She is, of course, referring to the yellow and green zinc Bandit and Chilli are decorating their pups with. 

Why do we pain our faces at the beach? Image: ABC

Aussie mums were quick to head to the comments to dispel the myth of “beach face paint”.

“It’s coloured zinc sunscreen,” one woman said. “We wear it on top of normal sunscreen for extra protection.”

Another person elaborated further: “Thick, strong sunblock. The coloured ones come in a stick, like lip balm that winds up – and are used in high affected areas of sun damage to prevent sun burning.”

This article was published in August 2023 and was updated in August 2024. 

Originally published as 5 very Aussie things American Bluey fans are totally confused about