Aussie-isms - "Cross" and "Knickers" Edition

I admit it: as much as I enjoy a good Aussie accent, there are some things about Aussie English that do irritate me.  My tolerance has shortened for the tendency to abbreviate just about everything.  It's not breakfast, avocado, mosquito, afternoon, McDonald's, thank you, etc. Nope, it's brekkie, avo, mozzie, arvo/arvie, Macca's, and Ta.  It may just be me, but I do not feel very thanked or appreciated when someone says, "Ta."  But that's a rant/tangent for another day...

I've also run across more than a few words that they use that at times make me feel like it really is a foreign language they're speaking.  A few examples that come to mind: lollie (name used for any kind of candy), thongs (flip flops, NOT underwear), bloke (guy, man), coldie (a beer), bush (the Outback or basically anywhere with lots of trees/brush), heaps (lots!), and heaps more I can't think of at the moment. 

I do sometimes hear words that they use that I find totally endearing.  Two examples being: "cross" and "knickers."  I've been working a few days a week as a teacher aide at one of the local schools, and this is where I've heard these two words used most. 

*Knickers:
One day last week, the kids in the class I was working in had swim lessons in the arvo.  I just rolled my eyes at myself for typing that.  Oh, and Aussies are big on water safety and swim lessons, FYI, so the younger kids usually get swim lessons at school.  The kiddos I was with were pretty young and so needed some help when getting dressed to return to school.  I can't tell you how adorable it was when I heard one of the little girls shout that she couldn't find her knickers (don't worry, they were soon found).  Knickers.  Totally adorable.  Love it!

*Cross:
Cross as in the adjective, not the noun or verb.  Cross as in "Ms. Megan (except they say Meeeeegan, which drives me insane but whatever), so and so won't stop bothering me and he's making me cross."  I also often hear teachers saying, "so and so don't make that cross face at me!"  OR "You better get to your seat and do your work- you don't want to see me get cross with you!"  Even better is that the kids have the most amazing "cross faces."  Here's a random Google Images photo that I found of a "cross face." It is seriously amazing.  And I absolutely plan on practicing my best cross face.  You should, too.  :-)