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va lese
it's used in chasing games as a call of 'safe' or 'home': Va lese, I'm safe.
Editor's comments: This is probably a version of "barleys" pronounced, as it is in WA, with the stress on the second syllable. It is sometimes spelt 'barlees' for that reason.
Contributor's comments: I think the expression 'va lese' may be just a mis hearing of 'barleys', which I believe is originally from 'parlez' - a request for a truce in order to talk.
Contributor's comments: For 1960s and 70s children, in the South-of-the-River part of Perth, the common pronunciation was bar-LEEZ. I'm intrigued by 'va lese'! It could also be a 'time-out' signal too.
Contributor's comments: I played chasies in regional NSW, where we said "bar." Some kids said something like "bar lease," which I always thought strange.
Contributor's comments: The word we used as kids in Victoria was Barley. I haven't heard va lese. We also used to say you're "he" if we caught someone. My kids use the Americanisation "you're IT". Don't like that much.
Contributor's comments: I also grew up in Perth, but north of the river. We also used use the term "Bar Lees" (not sure of spelling as I never saw it written down). I agree that va lese is probably a mis-hearing of the word.