down under

The Japan Times Onlineからです。今夏、愛知でもやっていた世界的なコスプレサミットがオーストラリアでも開催されました。

'Anime' on the rise Down Under

SYDNEY — The popularity and availability of "anime" and Japanese pop culture have exploded in Australia with the rise of social media, online forums and specialty screening services.
The increase and improvement in technology allow fans to connect with each other, watch their favorite episodes and easily plan and attend events.
Recently, anime fans were out in force in Sydney to attend Animania, a festival celebrating animation, games, manga and Japanese pop culture.
At the two-day event, which included a "cosplay" competition, a game zone and karaoke, it was the commitment of those attending to dress up in costumes that made the show.
The majority of fans were dressed as characters from "Black Butler," "Pokemon" and "One Piece," as well as the popular blue-haired Hatsune Miku, a "vocaloid" virtual idol.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121018f1.html

downもunderも中学１年で習う単語ですがここでは直訳どおりに意味を取ったら意味がさっぱりわかりません。ここは，みなさんにはおなじみのdown underという口語表現のイディオムで「 オーストラリア[ニュージーランド]に[で]; (英国から見て)(地球の)正反対側に」という意味(『ジーニアス英和辞典』第4版、大修館書店)の副詞の表現になります（cf. Downunder）。

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20120612/1339506090

見出しの意味を取ると、「オーストラリアで人気が上昇中のアニメ文化」となるでしょうか。中学で習うような表現だけで国を表す事ができるとは改めて英語の面白さを実感しました。(EnDough)