Do people say “crikey” a lot Down Under? In my experience, not as much as I had assumed they would. Except for the few times that I’ve heard “fair dinkum” via the generation older than me, I also haven’t heard much of the typical slang “g’day” or “sheila.”
I have to begin this blog with the slang I’ve heard firsthand in the Sydney-area. Slang throughout Australia can vary, so I’m just limiting what all I share here to what I actually have heard, and I will add to this list as my journey continues.
It might equally be helpful to share with you what not to say in Australia, such as “fanny” pack.” Something to keep in mind is that a “fanny” in Australia is not the derrière, but instead Aussies are referring to a woman’s genitalia. My advice is that you say instead that it’s a “belt bag” or “belt pouch,” as long as it’s anything but a “fanny” pack. I’ve tried to include below in my list as well a few other important words to remember avoiding, like “root.”
You can of course find lots of great slang dictionaries online, such as this handy Australian Slang Dictionary or Aussie Slang, but there will often be words or sayings listed there which the Aussies around you might never utter. Also note: Some words are proper English words, but they are the not the version one would say in American English.
Hopefully my growing list of Sydney-area sayings will help any newbies who come to stay as well, and do feel free to contact me with any additional words or sayings you feel should be added to the list.
Aboriginal = Relates to the indigenous peoples of Australia {Aborigines}
Aerial Ping Pong = Australian Rules Football
Aggie line = French drain
Aggro = Describes someone or something aggressive or aggression.
Air con = Air conditioning/conditioner
Aluminium = Aluminum
Ankle biters = Little children
Arvo = Afternoon
Avo = Short for avocado
Backpacker = Young, foreign tourist visiting Australia. Often backpackers walk around with their backpack on their back, making them even more obvious.
Banger = Sausage
Barby = Or barbie; Grill or Barbecue grill {short for barbecue}; Click here for more
Bathers = Swimming suit
Behaviour = Behavior
Bench = {Or “benchtop”} Counter or countertop, especially in the kitchen
“Big night” = A very good time out with friends for the evening. Can even involve heavy partying all night long {sometimes with lots of drugs and/or alcohol], depending on who’s talking.
Bikie = Someone who rides a Harley Davidson, but most commonly used to describe the member of a bikie gang.
Bikkie = Cookie {short for biscuit}
Bloody = An adjective, used as an intensive: “Serves you bloody right.”
“Bloody oath” = An expression used to stress a point or an opinion: “Are you going to talk to him about the mess he made?” “Bloody oath I am!” Read more here.
Blow in = Someone who is uninvited {eg at a party or someone who’s from out of town surfing}
Boardies = Slang for boardshorts, worn by surfers.
Bonnet = Hood {engine end} of a car.
Booger = Boogie/body boarder. Also called “sponger”.
Boot = Trunk end of a car.
Bottle-o = A liquor store {short for what Australians call a bottle shop; also the name of one of the bottle shops [here]}
Bowls = Lawn bowling
Brekkie = Breakfast; Also spelled brekky or breaky
Brisvegas = Nickname for Brisbane, Queensland
Brolly = Umbrella
Bub = Baby
Bucks = A bachelor party; The buck is the groom-to-be. Read more here.
Budgy smuggler = {Also: Budgie smuggler} Nickname for Speedo swimming trunks for men. Also called “ballhuggers”. Read more here.
Bum = Butt
Bush = Foresty-area.
Bushie = Somebody who lives in the bush
B.Y.O. = Bring your own {alcohol/drinks}. There are some unlicensed restaurants where you bring your own wine {sometimes beer} into their establishment.
Cakage = The fee some restaurants will charge if you bring your own cake for a party.
Canadian passport = A mullet hairstyle
Capsicum = What we call in America a green pepper, for example, Aussies call it a {green} capsicum.
Centre = Center
Cheque = A personal bank check
Cheeky = Saucy; bold; smart-alecky
Chemist = Pharmacy
Chewie = Chewing gum
Chippy = Carpenter
Chook = Chicken
Chrissy = Christmas
“Chuck a sickie” = Call in sick to work for a day off.
Cleanskin = An unlabelled bottle of wine which usually costs a lot less.
Coathanger = The Sydney Harbour Bridge
Colour = Color
Cook top = Stove
Cordial = Flavored liquid concentrate that you add water to, similar to Kool-Aid {America}; available in a variety of flavors, like lemon barley.
Corkage = The fee a B.Y.O. restaurant will often charge for each bottle {eg wine} you bring into a restaurant that wasn’t bought on the premises.
“Couldn’t be bothered” = Something Aussies say when they don’t want to do something: “I couldn’t be bothered going to the supermarket today.”
Cozzie = Swimming suit
Cracker = Something that’s great, like the best bargain for the day being the “cracker of the day.”
Crook = Ill or sick
Cubby house = Outdoor playhouse for children {or: cubby}
Cup Day = The day everyone watches the Melbourne Cup.
Cuppa — A hot beverage “Why don’t you come on over and we’ll talk about it over a cuppa?”
Dag = Someone who doesn’t dress well and/or has unrefined manners.
Dead horse = Tomato sauce
Dear = Expensive
Defo = Short for “definitely”
Diarrhoea = Diarrhea
Disco biscuit = Ecstasy {pill}; Also called “E” or “Jack and Jill”
Docket = Receipt or bill
Dog’s breakfast = A mess
Dog’s eye = Meat pie
Doona = Duvet {down- or fiber-filled quilt; comforter}
Draught = Pronounced “draft”, it’s just that. Just like Miller Genuine Draft.
Dummy = Pacifier {for a baby}
Dunny = Toilet {outdoors}
EFTPOS = Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale. This is called “direct debit” in America.
Ensuite = Master bathroom {attached to the master bedroom}
Entree = Appetizer {“main” or main course is what the American version of entree is called in Australia}
Esky = Ice cooler {some Americans call it an Igloo cooler}
Exy = Expensive
Fag = Cigarette
Fair dinkum = I haven’t yet heard this. If you do hear it, it means true or genuine.
Fairy floss = Cotton candy
Fanny = Slang for the vagina. In North America, this is an old way to say “butt.”
Feral = Someone who lives like they’re living out in the wild.
Fibre = Fiber
Fillet = Means the same thing, a strip of boneless meat/fish. Aussies pronounce it with the t… {or: filet}
Flanno = Flannel
Flat out = Some Aussies say “Flat out like a lizard drinking” to describe how supposedly busy they are.
Flat mate = Roommate
Flat white = Coffee with milk or cream.
Flavour = Flavor
Fly screen = Window screen
Foot path = Sidewalk
Footy = Australian rules football {the use of this varies in each region of Australian}
Fortnight = Once every two weeks; a period of consecutive 14 days {We understand this in America, but it’s not commonly said.}
Fussed = Bothered. “I just couldn’t be fussed calling him back last night.”
Gas = LPG {Liquid Petroleum Gas}; You don’t get gas for your car usually, but you do get gas for the barby.
“Get stuffed” = Piss off; get lost; go away {more via Urban Dictionary}
“Going off” = Something that’s going extremely well {eg the surf or a party}. “I’m glad I woke up early for a surf because the surf was really going off this morning.”
Good on ya = Great job or well done.
Grannie flat = A separate living accommodation, usually attached to the home or in a separate building in the back of the home.
Grommet = Someone who is new to surfing {usually a child}.
“Haitch” = This is how Aussies pronounce the letter H.
Hard yakka = Hard work {more here}
Heaps = A lot. “Thanks heaps!”
Hens = A bachelorette party; The hen is the bride-to-be. Read more here.
Herb = Means the same thing, but Aussies pronounce the h with it. “Herb” is also used in place of marijuana, in conversation.
“How ya going?” = “How are you doing?” Very common to hear Aussies greeting each other this way. Also means someone is odd: “See that guy talking to that tree over there? He’s a bit how ya going.” Read more here.
Hungry Jack’s = Burger King {website}
Jelly = Jell-O
Joey = A baby kangaroo or the name for any baby marsupial, including koalas and wombats.
Jumper = A pullover sweater
Kerb = Curb
Kindie = {Also: kindy} Kindergarten
Kip = Nap {also: in Dutch, a kip is a chicken}
Kiwi = Someone from New Zealand
Knackered = Pooped; Tired; Exhausted
Layby = Layaway
Light globe = Light bulb
Lippie = Lipstick
Lolly water = Soft drink
Loo = Toilet; Restroom
Loose cannon = Someone who is behaving out of control
Lounge room = Living room
Lung lolly = Cigarette
Maccas = Nickname for McDonald’s {pronounced mă-kahs or mackers}
“Mad as a cut snake” = A crazy or a very angry person
Malaka = Greek for “masturbate”, it holds the same usage in Australia as “wanker”. Heard in areas of Sydney.
Maori = Native people of New Zealand. This means “original people” or “local people”, and it was given to the original inhabitants of New Zealand by the European settlers.
Mash = Mashed potatoes
Maths = Math or mathematics
Mate = Friend/Buddy
Mate’s rates = Discounted price for, e.g. work services, from a friend.
Me = Depending on where you are and who you are talking to, some Aussies say “me” in place of “my”, so instead of asking “Where are my sunglasses?”, they might say “Where are me sunnies?”
Metre = Meter
Mould = Mold
Mozzies = {or: mossie} Mosquitoes
Nappies = Diapers
Neighbourhood = Neighborhood
Nits = Lice
“No dramas” = See “no worries”
“No worries” = They do say this and often. It generally means “don’t worry about it” or “no problem.”
Noughts & Crosses = Tic-Tac-Toe
Ocker = A person with poor social skills/manners, often speaking with a strine. Read more here.
Odour = Odor
“Off your head” = High on drugs. “Caz was totally off her head last night at the party.”
“On the DOL” = Collecting unemployment payments from the Department of Labour {click here for more}; Also nicknamed “Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Aussies.
“On the piss” = Drinking alcohol
One-off = Something that is one of a kind; made, happening or done only once.
Outback = The barren lands
Pacer = Mechanical pencil. Also called a propelling pencil, it’s a pencil with refillable lead, used mostly for technical drawings. Aussies usually don’t call it a mechanical pencil and/or understand that name. Other names it’s called around the world are: automatic pencil, drafting pencil, technical pencil, click pencil, clutch pencil, leadholder, pen pencil, and spacer {via Wikipedia}.
Paddle Pop = A popsicle-type frozen treat {website here}.
Paella = Aussies pronounce this incorrectly. They’ve Aussie-fied it. They say something close to “Pay Ella” instead.
Pash = Passionate kiss
Passion Pop = A cheap fizzy drink that some youth drink to get drunk {more about this here}.
“Peninshoola” = How Aussies say “peninsula”
Petrol = Gasoline; Fuel
“Piss off” = Go away; get stuffed; get lost
Pissed = Drunk
Pohm = {Also: Pom; Pommie; Pommy; Pohmmy; Pohmmie} A term used by Australians when referring to English people. Read more here.
Pokies = Poker machines
Poo man = Plumber
Poo tickets = Toilet paper
Postie = Postal worker
Power point = Power/electrical outlet
Pram = Stroller {babystroller}
Prezzy = {or: pressie} A gift or a present
Pyjamas = Pajamas or pj’s
Rack = Cocaine {“They’re in the loo racking up again” = They’re doing cocaine in the bathroom again; “He was racked up last night” = He was high on cocaine last night}
Reckon = Figure; think; assume. “I reckon the summer will be a hot and dry one.”
Rego = Vehicle registration {click here for more info}
Rellie/Relo = A relative, family member
Reno = Short for renovation
Ripper = Great
Ripping = When something {eg surfing} is done really, really well {same as “killing it”}.
Rizzle = {or: rissle} RSL: Returned and Services League {about this here}
“Rock ‘n’ Roll” = Collecting unemployment payments from the Department of Labour; Also said by Aussies “On the DOL”. More here.
“Rock up” = Arrive or show up: “He rocked up to the party at about 11 last night.”
Rocket = {In food, eg salad} Arugula. See more about this here.
Rockmelon = Cantalope
Root = I now feel a bit embarrassed whenever I use the word root because in Australia it is both a verb and a noun used in place of f***. So I won’t say to a friend who is playing a game, “I’m rooting for you.” I’ll say “I’m cheering for you” instead. Even saying “root beer” seems to have taken on a whole new meaning…
Ropeable = Very angry.
RSL = Returned and Services League {about this here}; Also called the “Rizzle.”
Rubbish = Garbage. Also used to describe when something is ridiculous: “That music is rubbish.”
Rug up = Bundle up to keep warm when it’s cold outside.
Rumpus room = Family room; recreation room
Salvo = Salvation Army
Sanger = Sandwich
Savoury = A dish which is not sweet.
Scratchies = Scratch lottery tickets
Script = Prescription
Schoolies = {also: Leavers} High-school graduates who have completed their exams take a week-long vacation and this is what the students are called. Read more here.
Schooner = Pronounced “skooner,” it’s a large beer glass, generally holding a pint or more.
Scratchy = Scratch lottery ticket
Seppo = Originally a surfer term, a seppo {short for septic tank, rhymes with Yank} is an American surfer. Read more here.
Servo = Service/gas station
Shark biscuit = Amateur surfer
“Shedjool” = How Aussies say “schedule”
“She’ll be right” = “Everything’s going to be OK.”
Shopping centre = Shopping center or shopping mall
Shout = Someone’s turn to buy a round of drinks: “It’s your shout, mate.”
Sickie = Calling in sick to work.
Sinking piss = Drinking alcohol at home {generally beer}
Smoko = Cigarette or coffee/tea break {a term used often on construction sites}. Read more here.
Snag = Sausage
Snag bag = Sausage roll
Soft drink = Pop or soda beverage; Many Aussies I’ve met in the Sydney-area don’t understand “pop”, but if you go to America most Americans will understand — Check out this map of what Americans call it per region…
Sook = Someone who is tame or unoffending.
Sparky = Electrician
Spewin’ = Very angry: “He’s so mad, he’s spewin’”
Spit the dummy = To throw a fit or get upset about something. Read more here.
Sponge = A boogie board {a “sponger” is a boogie boarder}. Read more here.
Strine = Broad accent of Australian English. Read more here.
Stroppy = Copping an attitude
Stubbie = Bottle of beer
Stubbie holder = Beer cozy/holder
Study = Den
Sunday surcharge = The 10% Sunday and public holiday surcharge at many restaurants, added on to your bill.
Sunnies = Sunglasses
Surfies = People who surf a lot
Suss = Size up or study something {ahead of time}; Or if someone seems a bit suspicious, you can call them suss.
Sweet as = Something they seemed to take from New Zealanders {“Kiwi’s”}, this means something is really good. “The surf was sweet as.” The point being you mentally fill in how sweet the surf was.
Swimmers = Bathing suit
Ta = Thanks a lot {said: tah}; My husband said this one in America to a cashier and she stood there puzzled until I explained to her that it’s how some Aussies say thanks.
TAFE = Training {or Technical} and Further Education. A school where vocational education courses are offered. Read more here.
Tap = Faucet
Tax File Number = Social Security Number {U.S.A.}
Ten-pin bowling = Bowling {U.S.A.-style}
Terry towelling = Terry cloth.
“The Lot” = Aussies say this when they mean “everything”. A burger with “the lot” means everything, for example. In this case, that typically means the beef patty with beetroot, egg, pineapple, cheese, bacon, onion, tomato {and/or tomato sauce}.
“The Mrs.” = {also: “Me Mrs.”} Someone’s wife.
The Toaster = Also known as the “Toaster Building,” the Bennelong Apartments building, next to the Opera House in Sydney.
Thongs = Flip-flops. Typically the favorite favourite brand of thongs is Havaianas.
Tin lids = Kids
Tinny = Small aluminum boat or a can of beer
Tip = The garbage dump
Torch = Flashlight
Tosser = A useless idiot; a wanker “Jono can’t do anything right. What a tosser.”
Tracky = Tracksuit or sweats/sweat pants {also known as trackies or tracky dacks—read more here}
Tradie = Tradesman/woman
Trolley = Shopping cart; cart
Turps = Turpentine {short for mineral turpentine}; Also refers to alcohol “Did you get on the turps last night?”
Tyres = Tires {like on a vehicle}
Uluru = Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock. It is now known only as Uluru and best to refer to it as so.
Uni = University
“Up the duff” = Pregnant {usually referring to an unplanned pregnancy}
Ute = Pickup truck or utility vehicle {example here}
Veranda = Porch or balcony
Vico = Victoria
Walk of shame = Wearing the same dress clothes out in public in the morning, following a big party night.
Wanker = A ridiculous person
Whinge = Persistently and annoying complaining {somebody who does this would be a “whinger”}.
Whiteant = To deter someone from buying something by criticizing it.
Windscreen = Windsheild {on a vehicle}
Wobbly = Behavior behaviour that is either excitable or slightly off.
Woolie’s = Woolworths; woolen clothing
Woop Woop = Made up name for a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.
Yank = An American. Not intended to be offensive at all.
Yeew! = I hear a lot of Aussies saying this when they’re expressing excitement
Yewy = U-turn
“Zed” = This is how Aussies pronounce the letter Z
Last, but not least, a different kind of alphabet… I’m still learning this part, but here is what I notice so far. The letter H is often pronounced by Aussies as “haitch,” as opposed to how Americans pronounce it “aitch.” In addition, Aussies say the letter Z as “zed,” whereas Americans say “zee.” The letter O, for most of those who I know in the Sydney-area, in “two” sounds more like the German ö, so “two” sounds like it has a faint r or -er on the end. Even on the Qantas airline customer service telephone recording, the man sounds like he’s saying “twoer.” I also notice this sometimes whenever I hear someone here say “no” and “hello.” The letter A varies as well: the letter A without the letter R following gains an R-sound {“gnaw” becomes “gnarw”}, and the letter A with the letter R loses the R-sound {“shark” becomes “shahk”}.
Update: Sorry, dear readers, that I’ve not had time lately to update or reply, but your additions & corrections are definitely welcome in these comments. I’ll adjust or add when I do get free time. In the meantime, Aussie Aussie Aussie!! 🙂
‘mad as a cut snake’- love this one- basically means they are loop de loop
@ Aqua: Good one! Thanks for this! I’ve asked a few Aussies and they agree, and they add that it would mean the person is angry as well.
This is all true too XD yes I am an Aussie 😛 I thought everyone pronounced it: shedjool (schedule) XD
there is also one specific to victorian aussies…. “Grouse”, which means, awesome / very good
”you’re like a little sparrow, all twitter and shit” – for someone that is babbling rubbish
This list is insanely impressive, omg best expat blog ever. You go with your badass self.
LOL! Thanks so much 😀
I really truly enjoy blogging a lot, so I really appreciate your compliment. I have so much more to add to that list as well, by the way – I’ve been slacking because we had to leave the country for my visa {I’m sure you know the drill very well}. One day soon I’ll have to add them here. Thanks again!
I heard a new one today that isn’t on your list: “brolly.” I think it means umbrella.
Oh, that’s a great one! I think I’ve heard this one too. Thanks for sharing that one! I’ve got a little list growing on my iPhone of stuff to add up here soon & I’ll add that to that list as well 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
I have another one for you. I read it in a magazine, so it must be legit. “Exy”, which is short for expensive.
Thanks for this one too – Yet again one that I haven’t heard as well, but I’m sure I will soon. As a matter of fact, shortly after you shared about the “brolly”, I must have heard it over a dozen times! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Brolly is an English term. There are stacks of words that come from there.
Is brolly not common slang overseas? Everyone says brolly here. People tend to think you’re up bit up yourself if you say umbrella. I’m Australian and this list isn’t really slang, it’s just normal to me so yeah, this list’s pretty good.
[…] a decade ago and wanted to fit in. Don’t want to be a ‘blow in’ either? Then check out the guide to Sydney slang and get down with the […]
In the place of root, you could instead say “im barracking for him”… same meaning as “cheering” for him.
Yes I grew up with ‘barracking’. Funny word hey.
[…] Macca’s (pronounced “mă-kahs” or “mackers”) is just one example of the Australian slang. Other examples include “sunnies” for sunglasses, “sparky” for electrician, and “budgie smuggler” for Speedo, according to website Things Aussies Like. […]
[…] Macca’s (pronounced “mă-kahs” or “mackers”) is just one example of the Australian slang. Other examples include “sunnies” for sunglasses, “sparky” for electrician, and “budgie smuggler” for Speedo, according to website Things Aussies Like. […]
How about, Snog = kiss
What Americans call a “fanny pack”, we call a “bum bag”. Well, that’s what all my friends and I called it when it was cool to own them in the 90’s.
True and they haven’t got it here.
It’s so weird reading this from an aussie point of view. But you’ve got some golden stuff here.
About the fanny-pack: we usually call them bum-bags.
And a schooner is usually about mid way between a pot and a pint.
-from a Melbournian who works in a bar. and drinks a lot of beer.
From a melburnian – well done! Yeah we do say “no worries” A LOT!
Feedback- sook is someone who is a whinger and or someone who cries easily.
G’Day Amy, Bugger me… this is bloody brilliant stuff. Well, done, Abso-bloody-lutely great job you’ve done. Keep’em comin’! …Rod (Aussie Sydneysider)
Well done list, brings back many memories of living down under. Elli caught the sook definition as I remember it, and one to add: Hamburger is called mincemeat. Figured that one out the first time my GF sent me to the shop for groceries!
Hamburger is a patty of cooked mincemeat to an Aussie. Do you call mincemeat ‘hamburger’ in the US? What if you’re making something else?
Ground beef, I think (Paul, USian in Oz since 1996)
they call it Centrelink when ppl collect the dol
No they don’t!!!! You get the ‘dole’ through Centrelink, the organisation.
Great list, I’m referring my OS friends here from now on!
Also need though ‘not bad’ which means ‘pretty good’ which is typically said if we’re impressed but tend to automatically understate things.
Don’t forget that the names for glasses of beer change from place to place. A schooner (425mls) is a pint in SA, while a small beer (285ml) is a schooner in SA, a middy in NSW and WA, and a pot in Qld and Vic. Most men would go the larger size though – those small things would barely wet your whistle.
Pints in WA are also 585 mils im pretty sure, i know their above the 550 mark
Us wa fuckers drink a lot of piss aba !
A few more from the Snowy Mountains area:
“Out on the wallop” for getting drunk in pubs, “dry as a dead dingo’s donger”, “bangs like a dunny door” (sleeps around energetically, “dunny” being an outhouse) bogan (a “white trash” equivalent), “strain the spuds” (pee), “All over the place like a mad woman’s sh#t” or “Goes off like a frog in a sock” (completely out of control), “Face like a robber’s dog” or “Could scare a pack of hungry dogs off a butcher’s truck” (not a beauty).
Oh, and good on ya mate!
I lived there. Gone troppo is another one = gone crazy from the tropical sun.
this has to be one of the dumbest lists i have ever seen. not only is this just stereotypical of the basic aussie ocker, its just plain offensive to see that there has been very little research put into this.
I know, we don’t say half of these.. It’s just offensive. I know you live in Sydney, but you haven’t spent much time researching or learning about Aussia slang
Relax Dylan Its fun
How so? Most of it is correct. There’s a few that are questionable, but I imagine it depends on the area you live in. Certain sayings and slang are used differently (or not at all) in different states. From the sounds of it, this person was mainly in Sydney and picked up the slang there. Sure, there’s more that is missing, but that’s their own experience and they’re almost bang on the buck.
Geez mate, I dunno what part of Aus you come from but that list is bloody accurate!
Not really. I find that it’s quite inaccurate.
I’m Australian, my entire family are Australian, and I’ve lived in Australia my whole life. I’m origionally from Brisbane Queensland but I’ve been traveling Australia with my family all my life. So I’ve been to many places across Australia and if I may say, nearly half of these I’ve never in my life heard.
Also you are some of the first people I’ve heard actually use the term ‘mate’ from anyone except men in their 40’s or higher and occasionally some women in their 20’s or higher but even then that’s extreamly rare.
I believe that this is rather steriotypical, granted we add one more ‘u’ in some of our words and prenounce various things differently. But half of these things I had no idea were considered words to anyone.
I may only be aged at 13 and 4 months old, so you may call me ‘stupid’ or ‘ignorant’ for having such an oppinion. But this to me is rather offencive.
I’d also like to add that if you know the way Americans speak english then there isn’t enough difference to confuse you. Not only that but if you truly are confused about the context of a sentence/word/saying then would it be so hard as to ask what the sentence/word/saying’s meaning is?
Totally agree! I don’t use 90% of these terms. Maybe South Aussies don’t use the terms as much.
So many of these are wrong! As someone who lives in Sydney, you need to understand that only a very small amount of people say some of these things! Also, a lot of them are actually British and we have just picked them up. Apart from that, well done collecting all of these phrases/words!
[…] Want to learn more: view here! […]
Wow, thanks for all of these comments here! Positive or not, I appreciate them all. I’m still finding more words to add (yes, some are chiefly British or even heard of in parts of U.S.A. and Canada. I cross check these – or I ask several Aussies to verify to me what in the heck they’re saying to me – and I usually share links or options, but some slip between the cracks), but almost everyday I come across a new word here Down Under and I get a kick out of it. This fascinates me (corny as it may seem), but that’s because I lived in the Netherlands for several years and learned to speak and understand Dutch fluently. Ever since then, I find it so important that I know my own language, English, inside and out. Living in Australia is an eye-opener for me in this, for certain, and I love it. So any corrections you have for me here, seriously, I appreciate. I would rather know, and want for readers to know too, so share away!
It is a lovely site. I would like to add the word “Chingo”, a drink invented by a brewery in Broome, WA, which is a mix of chili beer (HOT!!!!) and mango beer (Fruity). Sounds disgusting but it is fantastic, once you get over the initial shock.
Hi, I’m an American but I work in a bingo site for Australians as a chat host, I have just recently learned (yesterday as a matter of fact) that if an Aussie calls you a “dick”, it’s not meant the same as in the US, lol, to them it means a “silly/goofy” person, NOT anything close to the offensive meaning it would have in America, lol… I have learned that I absolutely LOVE the Aussie’s and truly hope to get to visit there someday!!! Thanks for the list and keep them coming!! They will help me understand a LOT more of what they’re saying to me in chat!!! lololol 😉
In Adelaide we usually use the word ‘dick’ offensively XD
A ‘dick’ is not a compliment. It’s sort of like an ‘idiot’.
Hate to be a killer here. But dick is only offensive if it is on its own.
Clever dick
Smart dick
Silly dick
And laughingly we say. Of you fcking dick.
Are all compliments and/or jokes
Generally though. You can get if we’re insulting you from our tone of voice…
As long as we aren’t drunk
I’m a true blue aussie (just means I’m 100000% Aussie) and I thought most places said some of this stuff not just ((mainly)) Australia
It’s great to see how our language is viewed by others. Well done. You are helping to preserve Australian slang.
I may have missed it but the word “bloke” does not seem to be mentioned. As for the people putting the “er” onto the ends of words, they are just bunging it on (pretending to be cultured). For an understanding, look at the characters created by Gina Riley and Jane Turner (Prude and Trude). Would love to discuss more.
I made an American friend laugh when I told him what “root” meant in Aussie slang. He then told me how the traditional half-time song at baseball matches now has a totally new meaning for him.
years ago a seppo footie team was out here together with a cheer squad. A charming young lady said they were out here to root for their team. Half the men in Sinny applied to joint he team.
Make of that what you wll!
Hilarious.
Here’s the one he meant, I think. Now I’ve seen the lyrics, I can see why he laughed… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game
All the critics of this list are flamin’ wowsers.
“too right” = definitely, really [as in “Do you think I look good in this dress?”, “Too right! You’re a cracker.”]
“beauty” (or “bewdy”) = good, excellent [as in “Your new ute’s a bewdy.”]. Can also mean right, correct, no worries and a dozen other things [“See you at 10.”, “Beauty mate.”]
Victorian terms from years ago … “bonza” and “grouse” = great, excellent, fantastic [as in “We had a grouse time at the shindig”]
“shindig” = party (originally meant a dance at the local hall)
I was on a bus in Europe and took about 30 minutes to explain all the ways the word Piss is used. Here’s a few: 1. Pissed : drunk 2. Pissing on : drinking 3. On the piss: drinking, or back to drinking from a dry spell. 4.Pissing in my pocket: said to someone who appears to be making non-genuine praise 5.Pissing off : taking off, going now 6. Piss off : go away 7. Pissing into the wind : trying to do something that’s naturally difficult or impossible 8.Pissed off: not happy (with someone or situation) 9. Taking the Piss (out of me) : when someone is making fun of you, you might ask this,”Are you taking the piss out of me?” 10. Pissed it up against the wall : usually to lose money (or something of value) in a haphazard way
I am a 60+ grown up in country victoria living in “the big smoke” melbourne since ’72 and many of the above are very true, but you have to realise there is no love lost between “sydney ites” and ‘melbourne ites’ and to most victorians, Aussie Rules is ‘footy’, soccer is ‘football’, and rugby “is that other stuff” Being an “older aussie” I do say many of the above in my everyday lingo. Yes many of our saying do come from “old english words etc” cos (because) most of our ansestors are from Ireland (I am 4th generation aussie) It also depends where you work as to how you speak, and old country factory worker etc, will come out with many older phrases such as “going to water the lemon tree” or “going for a leak” they are going to the toilet. I could go on and on and on but won’t.
This is “heaps good”! In SA we use it all the time instead of awesome or great. Not sure if it’s a aussie or not but “huh” is almost saying your confused or pardon. “Oi” to get someone’s attention in a sentence Oi, do you know how to …. .
I got told by an American living in oz the best way to explain our accent is with pirates. In America the pirates go aaaarrrrrrrggggghhh in Australia they go aaaaahhhhhhhh as we don’t pronounce our R’S very well. In SA depending on where you were taught some people pronounce th words as f’s en three is free and throw is from its a payout to say freeffor free to people that say three with an f.
I don’t know anyone that calls Victoria “Vico” and I have lived in Victoria my whole life.
There’s also, on the ‘morrow, which means tomorrow ie, see ya on the ‘morrow. Also OJ; orange juice. My nan calls baked beans on toast, skinheads on a raft. She also calls spaghetti on toast, worms on a raft and eggs on a raft is eggs on toast. An odd one i’ve heard from my dad is that he describes things as “how ya goin’ ” eg, that footy team was a bit how ya goin’; a bit too relaxed you could say.
When you want to call or describe someone as an idiot, is that they’re a duffer or a tool.
Nice list. But it isn’t ‘DOL’, it is ‘dole’. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_benefits
as an aussie some of these things sound ridiculous
Wow, that’s an exhaustive list, and my bad that I just saw it now…Compiled a short list of popular Aussie short-form slang, but your list is crazy! Now I know where to hop by when I want to look up some words 🙂
It’s commonly understood that those who pronounce the letter ‘H’ as haitch are products of a Catholic education.
Many of the nuns in the teaching orders were Irish immigrants- as were many priests from the time of settlement until perhaps just before WWII.
The Irish pronounce the letter as ‘haitch’ and it has been perpetuated by the Catholic school system.
Any kid in a state school would have been promptly reprimanded for such pronunciation.
I went to a state school and I pronounce it haich. A couple of my friends say aich but some say haich too. We’re from Gold Coast. Near bogan logan
Don’t forget chunder… meaning to throw up… Hear that a fair amount, it is even in that song :Men at Work.
… where the women glow and the men chunder…
Which for some reason I always understand as
.. where the women blow and the men thunder…
hehehe
‘Chunder’, apparently came from ‘Watch under!’ which was called from the deck of a ship to any below as you threw up over the rails. Apocryphal, perhaps. Also, growing up a Sydneysider, we called Victorians ‘Mexicans’ because they were south of the border. Queensland was referred to as ‘the deep North’ due to its right wing, conservative politics and ‘wacko’ people (from a Sydney point of view).
Even the pronunciation of names of a couple of cities is non-intuitive. The -bourne in Melbourne is not pronounced -born, as in The Bourne Identity, but as -bun, as in bread. The -bane in Brisbane in not like the bane of my existence, but -bin like rubbish bin.
A pergola, which normally is a stand-alone arbor formed of trelliswork and used in a garden, in Australia is more like a veranda, that is, a roofed porch, hanging off the main structure like a lean-to. And it’s not pronounced PER-gola but per-GO-la. And if the pergola is fully enclosed, it’s not called a lanai but a Queensland room.
Hey, I went looking at all this info in my English class, but tbh( to be honest), we do not use half these words, nor know what they mean! (:
A schooner does not hold a pint or more. I holds 15 fluid ounces. A middy holds ten fluid ounces
This really helped me with my english assignment and I can’t beleive how much aussie words there are. Even though I am Australian.
there is also one specific to victorian aussies…. “Grouse”, which basicly means, awesome / very good
What a great list!! Going gang busters on your list. (Working hard at something).
I didn’t realize there are so many words Aussies say that the rest of the world just doesn’t get. We truly are unique. Thanks for the laugh. 😊
Not a bad list although a schooner (also called a schooey) is less than a pint and Woolworth sells groceries, not clothes
Here are a few more obscure ones, usually only said by the older generation
Whats the John Dorey? – whats the story (as in how are you)
Gregory Peck – neck
Butchers hook – look, as in i’ll go have a butchers hook OR I’ll go have a butchers
Stubbies can also be footy shorts
Skatie – skateboard
Moll – slut or tramp
Ganga – slut or tramp
Prawn- a girl with a good body but an ugly face (you dont eat the head of a prawn/shrimp)
Sluzza – slut
Woop woop – the middle of nowhere
Understanding a country’s slang is part of the fun of a new culture, right??
I’m Australian, and have a few others to add (but can’t vouch for them being Australian in origin – just that they’re said a lot):
arse = butt / bum / bottom (pronounced: ahss)
“can’t be arsed” = can’t be bothered
“pig’s arse” = used to express disbelief.
dickhead = someone whose behaviour is stupid or silly (Did you see that driver cut in front of you? What a dickhead).
deadshit = person who appears to be of below average intelligence with behaviour to match (He doesn’t pay child support for his kid? What a deadshit.)
smoke = cigarette (Hey! Got a smoke?)
DOL is always “dole” and is short for “doling out” (British origin, and nothing to do with the “department of labour”. In Australia, the dole is obtained through Centrelink.
RSL – I usually hear it called the “rissole”
Rissole – a hamburger patty served with veggies etc and is usually smaller and fatter than a hamburger patty
bludger = a person who lives off the efforts of others, or is lazy (Come and help with the housework, you lazy bludger!).
dole bludger = a person on the dole who you know isn’t looking for a job
crap = fecal matter, and also an expression to denote shock (Oh crap! I lost my wallet!)
sook = probably more synonymous with “crybaby”
whinger = a person who complains a lot
Tax File Number isn’t a social security number. It’s a number that registers you only with the tax office. Dole bludgers have another number.
thongs = just to point out that what Americans call thongs, Australians call “g-strings”
walk of shame = actually, it’s usually referred to as that when a person has had a one-night stand and returns home the following day wearing the clothes from the previous night.
wanker = a dickhead / tosser
wobbly boots = if a person is drunk and having trouble walking properly, you’d say they had their “wobbly boots” on.
chuck / have a wobbly = have a tantrum
Haha these are great! I’m an Aussie from Adelaide and it’s weird thinking that others don’t say these things. Most of these I say, some I’ve heard others say and some I’ve never heard of. I enjoyed reading this! Thx 😀
Cool post. Just thought I’d add that we sometimes say “no worries” as “no wuckers”. And we use “cheers” both to say cheers before drinking, but also to say “thanks”. Often people sign off emails by writing Cheers at the bottom. Not as formal but still friendly.
Just a few extras 🙂
Galah – Pink and grey bird or Really stupid person
Great Galloot – Thick or stupid person
Rain Juice – Water
The language changes a lot once you get out of the eastern states ad people in the sticks are more likely to use the slang then city fokes
Nice site:-)
Booger – also refers to nose pickings, things hanging out someones nose or the stuff in a hanky – yes I know, disgusting!
Runs – (Diarrhoea) as in “I have the runs”
Hanky – handkerchief
Dole – Unemployment benefits
Bogan – a person with an unsophisticated background, or whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour exemplify a lack of manners and education. It was mentioned by someone else actually
I spent 3 great years in Oz – Sydney to be specific. Loved it and the Aussie people. That’s why I married one – just like a Seppo to do that! A couple lines I would add…
“did the runner” – didn’t know what my wife (girlfriend at the time) was talking about when she told me this, but thought maybe she was talking about sexual exploits, but it means to run off when the bill comes but before paying.
“Cut sick” – great term. I think my wife read the urban dictionary definition which said it was to go off on someone, but in an awesome way. An example would be that John McEnroe used to cut sick on chair umpires in tennis.
A ‘sook’ is a cry baby.
Thx 4 the info. If my life dream to go to Australia ever works, the people will think IM the normal one in the family
OMG – who put this together? Fair dinkum or dinki di is used ALL the time. It means true blue or the real mccoy. Same diff. Lol.
Also, NO Australian has EVER called Victoria ‘Vico’. Same with ‘defo’ for definitely. NO way.
However we do make up nicknames that often end in ‘o’, like a comedian once said that if we had the Star of David it would be called ‘the star of Davo’. Lol.
A ‘yank’ is not an American surfer, it’s just an American – also known as ‘those arrogant bastards who start wars with everyone’.
A ‘Salvo’ is a salvation army person, not the salvation army.
‘Yeew’ is not an expression of excitement, it means ‘Oh GROSS!’ or ‘disgusting’.
It’s not often heard these days but doing ‘Yewy’ (a U turn) is often accompanied with language like ‘We were just doing blockies’. A maybe blockie is when a few guys hang out in a car and drive around and around the block, usually looking for sheilas.
That last para should read:
It’s not often heard these days but doing a ‘Yewy’ (a U turn) is often accompanied with language like ‘We were just doing blockies’. A blockie is when a few blokes hang out in a car and drive around and around the block, usually looking for sheilas.
Yes a very good developing list anyway. Good for you. I don’t see ‘ripper’ here which is very common ‘an absolute ripper’ is something that is very good indeed.
Good list. Some extras to add – “Going off” can also be someone who it really mad e.g. “She was going off” also “He was going off his head” (basically and angry rant).
Regarding one of the comments – If we call someone a “dick” we’re calling them a dickhead because they’ve pissed us off – as in “Don’t be a dick!” – at least in North Queensland. Someone who is silly/goofy would more likely be a “nutter”.
Also I say G’day a lot. Mostly stemming from my years living out west (Mount Isa area). When I moved back to the coast my mother told me I was starting to sound like a bushie with the broad slower accent. If you want to hear people say “Sheila / Bloke / G’day” it’s more common in the outback and regional areas, which is why a lot of people who come to the big cities don’t hear it and the Aussies who’ve only ever lived in the big cities say it’s just stereotyping.
Hope you enjoy your search for more slang.
Also, I call a swimsuit “togs” – not sure if it is just a Queensland thing or not, though.
Thank you for the instructive list! But given the meaning of “root” we’d like to know: what can we safely call those subterranean parts of trees and plants???
As an Aussie I can tell you that a lot of words are all about context. Context is everything. When referring to a tree you’re safe. Though yes, I’m rooting for you would be a phrase to give a miss.
Aussies are taught to pronounce H as ‘aitch’. Anyone who says ‘haitch” is in error. But it is a commonly made mistake. Otherwise, great list.
I thought ‘sick’ – meaning awesome, would be here, but apparently yanks use that expression… who knew…
Impressive list. As an Aussie it’s weird to see how our language is viewed. I am living overseas and really miss the Aussie slang.
A few things though, you need to understand that words can change meaning depending on where you are in Aus. A schooner in Melbourne is a beer halfway between a pot and a pint. Also, I don’t really understand why you included words like ‘flavour’…it’s not a different meaning but simply a different spelling.
Oh and I used to say G’day ALL the time when I lived in Aus (and I worked in a posh office)
And one last thing, all swear words can be used as a term of endearment, it simply depends on the tone taken when saying it and who you are saying it to.
What about on ya cobba
Sorry readers for not replying sooner! I’ve been as busy as a bee, getting myself situated here Down Under! I’ll be responding to comments in a few weeks. Cheers!
Amy in OZ
Very good! I inadvertently discovered you are a co-wordpress.com-er so I am coming to you from my new wordpress blog at limerickcba.wordpress.com out of Canberra. You might like to have a look. Often enough I am using the Aussie vernacular to help keep our pollies in line and the rest of the universe in good order – in 40 words or less.
All the best
limerickguy
Thank you very much! I’ll have a look! All the best wishes
Again, sorry dear readers that I’ve not had time to update or reply, but your additions & corrections are definitely welcome in these comments. I’ll adjust or add when I do get free time. In the meantime, Aussie Aussie Aussie!! 🙂
A couple of others from a 62 year old Aussie
Squizzie: to have a look at something ie. Have a squizzie at this!
Have the munchies i.e be hungry, as in ” I’ve got the munchies.” ( around our home we now refer to small candy bars like Mars Bars as ” munchie bars” ! )
Going to spend a penny i.e. Going to the loo. Most older Australians would know that to use a public toilet you had to put a penny coin in the slot on the door to open the cubicle. I grew up in Sydney and in the 70s “grouse” was a common term meaning something was good.
In New south Wales someone from Victoria is call a Mexican i.e. From south of the border and a Queenslander is banana bender ( no offence intended ), a south Australian is a ” sand piper ” and a Wetern Australian is a “crow eater ” ( also no offence intended ) some of my friends from Victoria call me a Welshie i.e. Someone from New South Wales.
My Kiwi mate always ends every sentence with “a” as in “too right a ” meaning ” I agree with you ” and calls me a “skippy”
A great blog!
Molly, I don’t mean to be picky but a South Australian is a crow eater and a West Australian is a sand groper.
My WA Aussie calls a washcloth (or face cloth) a “flannel”.
In Nth Queensland my family has always called it a “face washer” or more likely just “washer”. Not sure if that is a Qld thing or just my family.
I find language fascinating and I have a good ear for languages and accents. I grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and we had a lot of ex-Pat Aussies and Brits.
Here’s my two pence.
Aussies, like some Brits, will put an “r” at the end of a word that ends in a vowel. However, this ONLY happens when the following word starts with a vowel. Instead of saying “Eva is going out” it would sound like “‘Eever’ is going out”. (In this case “Eever” rhymes with “beaver”.) In a spoken language, some pronunciations are a product of dialect. The “intermediate R” between vowels probably developed to smooth the hiatus out between the two vowels.
Here’s the weird thing though, a lot of words end with the letter “r”, but many Aussies don’t pronounce the “r”, and yet they will drop an “Intermediate R” if that word is followed by a word that starts with a vowel. “Wanker” is pronounced “wanka”. When they say “. . . a wanker always . . .”, the “r” sound is there. But when they say ” . . . a wanker doesn’t always . . .”, it comes out as “wanka” again.
Language is a funny thing.
You are so right! I was wondering what people where going on about the ‘r’ being added since as an Aussie I always just thought we dropped it. But your explanation makes total sense. I guess I’ve spoken that way my whole life so didn’t notice there was a distinction.
Great list for a yank. My uncle was from Kelly country in Victoria and he had some pearlers. There was “ugly as a hatful of arseholes” (talk about imagery), this car “wouldn’t pull a greasy stick out of your arse!”, “Sick as a dog”. You also seem to have missed “Straya” for Australia. I’d like to see someone put together a short story completely in Strine to demonstrate it to my seppo rellies. Anyone?
To ‘whiteant’ someone actually means to beat them to a purchase or to score a chick another bloke was trying to root. I whiteanted that other wanker last night. The sheila (girl) has great norks (tits) too. Hope she’s not up the duff … I tarped up (wore a condom).
Fake breasts = bolt ons
Tarp up = wear condom
Fair dinkum = truth / fact ( Cantonese origin meaning the real thing real gold)
White Ant = Termite
what about Ranga(orangutan) for redheads/ gingers?
Yes, the word “Ranga” (unfortunately) was used in a very derogatory way towards our previous PM, Julia Gillard.
Well done for putting this list together.
If this is a guide mainly for Americans it should be stressed that the word Aussie is never pronounced with an “s” sound, it is always pronounced with a “z” – more like Ozzy. (I’ve never known an Aussie that doesn’t cringe when a yank calls us “Ossies”.)
Also a number of the words/phrases on this list are used in most part by surfers (esp in Sydney) which is why some of the comments from Aussies say they’ve never heard of them/don’t use them.
Hahaha great post! Reading through this list I didnt realise how many of these ‘slangs’ I use in every day conversations
All, thanks for you comments & helpful input — even those few of you who knocked me (lol, tall poppy — no need for name calling or trolling), your input helps. Cheers
I didn’t realize we do the “r” thing until I got to America and people kept asking me why I say “Chiner” (China) and “Amander” (Amanda). I was really confused until someone pointed that particular sound out. Pretty funny.
“ken oath” – means f*cken oath as in “did you have a good time?” “Ken oath, mate”.
To have a kangaroo loose in the top paddock, be a snag short of a barby, or to be a stubby short of a six pack all mean that someone is not quite right in the head.
great website you could also include “fully sick” or just “sick” : meaning great or fantastic eg i had a sick time last night
– from a sydneysider
Thanks for that, Cassie! 😊
OLD LADY
I’m writing a short novel for my masters degree. It’s set in Western Queensland in the ‘Forties. I have culled out the expressions I remember from those days. Thank you for helping make my story authentic.
Absolutely, Florence! And thanks!
“Struth” – means same as `blimey`
I’m an Aussie who worked for a US software company. On conference calls we used to say “no worries” far too often. Then finally, one night, this bloke in California screamed down the line “No. There ARE worries!”. We pissed ourselves (i.e., laughed a lot, not got on the “piss”). Great list but. I think you’re getting the hang of it, love.
Love it! Thanks for sharing this! I say “no worries” all of the time now back in the US, in reasonable conditions. Like the boss says for me to stop what I’m doing to quickly do something else, and even if it’s annoying, I reply “no worries.” I should throw “mate” in there as well, haha!
From my side we have –
Good on ya- usually used in a sarcastic/ demeaning way but in jest towards mates.
“Crashed me bike last night”
“Good onn yaaa loser”
Lolly water usually refers to those sweet premix vodkas drinks (smash a carton before you know ya drunk)
Ripping can also be used for thievery or high price
Ya ripping me off mate. Got ripped off.
She’ll be right – you usually hear this when she most definitely won’t be right. Never really noticed till an American pointed it out. He was camping and a guy got smashed by a snake and they poured rum on the bite and just kept informing him as he worried that she’ll be right mate. Now I notice it all the time hahahaha.
Turps – funnily enough this refers to alcohol because way back when 80s styles, you could buy a litre bottle of 100% alcohol for a few dollars and just water it down, but of course that isn’t good for the old alcoholic industry so they started adding horrid toxins to it hahaha “smashing the turps”
Although I’m not from Australia, I seem to have picked up on some Aussie language. One of my favourites is “no worries, mate.” or simply “no worries.” Or how about “bugger, mate! What the hell was that?”
Bugger – like saying “oh crap!” 😉
Exactly! Or “Oh shit!”
You need the old.
Yeah, nah. Which means no.
And Nah, yeah. Which means yes
We pretty much only ever use slang in Aussie
-A vico
[…] You can find more fun Aussie terms HERE. […]
Is there a term that means “hang up”? like if you’re on the phone with someone and you end the call?
Yes! But a hang up would be like an issue that someone can’t let go of. Correct me if I’m wrong, folks. I’d heard it often and it went in one in and out the other for me because I never had too many hang ups.
ive never heard anyone use slang its just, hang up or end the call. Also its “hung up” if its about an issue “Joe is really hung up about work”
G’day mate , yeah that was a bit of a good read , however a few technical errors in some of your Aussie Slang , ie;- “DOL” is actually “DOLE” , I am happy to add a few for Ya , seein as I was dragged up in the scrub so to speak mate , by the way , I am ” Ocker” when I feel like it but by no means am i short on manners or etiquette , I am a person raised in the bush not the city – a true Aussie . That is the definition of someone who is a true ” Ocker” , the cities are not a real guide for Aussie Slang . No worries tho mate , you did a fair dinkum list
Be careful with “booger” – kids I know use it to mean snot !
You can’t forget the classic:
‘Yeah, nah.’ – this pretty much means no.
And:
‘Nah, yeah.’ – this is the opposite, it means yes.
Thanks for these, Portia!
Another Aussie quirk is to shorten words. An American over here once told me that us Aussies tend to talk baby talk. I asked him what he meant and he reeled of a list of words such as:
brickie = bricklayer
sparky = electrician
Tradie = Tradesman
trucky = truck driver
chippie = carpenter
brekkie = breakfast
tinny = can of beer or small aluminium boat
prezzie = present
Chrissy = Christmas
Barbie = barbeque
Mozzy = mosquito
Pokies = poker machines
Chewie = chewing gum
Lippie = Lipstick
Rellie = A relative, family member
Brizzy = Brisbane (capital of Queensland)
Sickie = To take a day off work when you are not be actually sick
Pollies = politicians
Bikkie = biscuit
Cozzies = swimsuit
Boardies = boardshorts
Postie = postman
Vinnies = St Vincent de Paul Society (charity)
Sunnies = sunglasses
Woollies = Woolworths or warm winter clothing
Exy = Expensive
Footy = Football
Laccy band = elastic or rubber band
Mundy, Sundy, Satdy = Monday, Sunday, Saturday etc.
Ta = Thank you
So true !!!
Awesome! Thanks for these, Bunny!
Here in North America, “Hang-Up” can mean anything. For example: To hang up on someone is to end the telephone call. When someone has an issue that they simply can’t, or refuse to let go of, then he has a hang-up of something.
Rack can also mean boobs, ie, she has a nice rack.
you missed popper! Means juice box 🙂
– alco is an alcoholic as well.
– “old mate” when you cant remember someones name, “remember old mate from the party last week?”
– donkeys years means a very long time
– loose unit generally someone who is up for anything, can be a bit of a tosser sometimes
– cashies – jobs done by friends on the side or “off the books” also fits in with mates rates
– dodgy – a job done quickly and without care/quick fix. usually not up to standard. i.e. a did a dodgy and used a zip tie (on the car) to hold the pipe up (which isnt legal)
Some of these ive never heard in my life (23 and been in qld my whole life) but i know some states use different slang from us. Also some words are outdated and wouldnt be said by anyone under the age of about 50 (fair dinkum etc).
Well done, that’s a great list.
I’m half Aussie/Yanky and always have a hard time being understood by my own family in the U.S…think I’ll give them a copy of this list!
One thing that really bugs me in Australia is how we say Asphalt.
Most Aussies pronounce it as ‘Ash-felt’ instead of ‘ass-fault’….drives me bloody nuts!