The ultimate guide to Australian slang words and phrases
This post hasn’t even started and I’ve used Aussie slang – Aussie (pronounced “ozy” not “ozy”).
Yes, if you live in Australia, visit down under (yes, that’s some more slang), or even just read my Aussie recipe posts from another part of the world, you’ll have to get used to abbreviations and strange words used for familiar things.
We love our slang insults and instead of answering questions with a simple “yes”, we can sometimes babble a bit with “no, yeah, don’t worry mate”.
confused?
Continue reading.
What is slang?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines slang as “A very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written, used especially by certain groups of people.”
And when it comes to Australian people, there’s a lot of slang to learn. I was born and raised in Australia, and I’m still learning myself.
There is also some nuance involved, and context and location in Australia can be important.
Why do Australians use so much slang?
We use so much slang in Australia that sometimes I’m not even aware that I’m using slang and other times I don’t even understand my fellow Aussies who may be using more obscure slang.
The use of slang is a cultural phenomenon that can be attributed to several factors:
- We are Australians, not British. Although settled by the British, over time an Australian dialect developed.
- We are geographically isolated, which contributes to the development of a unique culture and identity.
- We are calm, friend. And this is reflected in our language.
Ready to find out some of our slang words and phrases?
Aussie Slang: Popular Words and Phrases
Here’s my list of words and phrases that might leave you scratching your head (confused) if you haven’t spent much time in Australia.
This is not exhaustive, so leave a comment below or message me if you think I left something out.
A
| aggro | angry or aggressive |
| Amber liquid | beer |
| Ambo | Ambulance or paramedic |
| ankle biter | A young boy |
| Apples, she will be | Will be fine |
| Ambush | afternoon |
| Australian | Australian |
| Aussie salutes | Waving hands to scare away flies |
| avo | Avocado |
B
| Burke’s rear | A remote location, far from civilization |
| bail | Cancel plans, leave or not show up |
| Barbie | barbecue |
| Beautiful | fantastic |
| big smoke | Big city (for example, Sydney) |
| motorcycle | Cookie |
| Billy | A kettle used on a fire |
| guy | A person |
| accursed | very (as in “it’s hot as hell”) |
| blood oath | very true |
| Blau | blow a fly |
| Bludger | lazy person |
| blue | Nickname for someone with red hair |
| guy | A man, especially an Australian man |
| Mud in | start eating |
| bogan | An unsophisticated person (and usually uses a lot of Australian slang!) |
| Bonzer | Amazing, excellent |
| bottlo | Bottle shop |
| bowlo | bowling club |
| Barki | Breakfast |
| Buckley’s | No chance or very little chance |
| Proboscis smugglers | A tight-fitting swimsuit worn by men |
| Bandy | Bundaberg, a brand of Australian rum |
| discourse | Rural or remote areas of Australia |
| Talby Bush | fire |
| BYO | Bring your own (usually meaning restaurant alcohol or party alcohol/food) |
third
| cactus | broken, not functioning |
| Captain Cook, there is a | to look |
| cover it up | die or stop working |
| choccy | chocolate |
| chockers | Full to the brim |
| strangle | chicken |
| chunder | vomit |
| Chrissy | Christmas |
| Clover | clothes or clothing |
| burying | friend or spouse |
| Corker | something that is very good |
| Crikey | Used to communicate wonder or surprise |
| We can | sick or not well made |
| shot | A cup of tea or coffee, something to enjoy with a slice |
d
| worried | An unfashionable person, someone who lacks style or character or a socially awkward person |
| Dax | Pants, pants |
| Deadst | Definitely |
| miner | A soldier, especially an Australian soldier |
| measuring stick | Loser, idiot |
| spokesman | A magical story |
| A dog’s breakfast | messy |
| The hind leg of the dog, crooked as | Someone who is dishonest, unscrupulous or deceptive |
| down below | Australia and New Zealand |
| Drongo | idiot |
| dumb | Services |
| my generation | cigarette |
God
| Ear pressing | swinging |
| esky | An insulated food/drink container that people take to picnics, barbecues, etc. |
| exxy | Expensive |
and
| fair dinkum | Unquestionably good or true, often used as a general expression of agreement |
| go fair | Chance |
| A fair sip of the sauce bottle | A request for fair treatment |
| A fair crack of the whip | A request for fair treatment |
| Wild | An uncivilized, unkempt or anti-social person |
| Plano | Flannel shirt |
| pedestrian | football |
| whipped | beer |
| furphy | A false or improbable story claimed to be factual |
G
| Good Day | Hello |
| shaved | Stupid or stupid |
| Garbo | Someone who collects trash |
| good ship | Well done |
| grog | alcohol |
| Unlucky, I had a | I had enough |
H
| Yaka is hard | hard work |
| piles | Much |
| fortune | A reckless driver or someone who behaves foolishly |
| the euro | goodbye |
| cutie | attractive person |
I am
| Idiot box | TV set |
| questionable | uncertain or questionable |
| iso | “isolation” or “self-isolation” |
| Itchy feet | Desire to travel or move to new things |
J
| Jackaroo or Jillaro | Apprentice or intern on a sheep or cattle station |
| Joe Blake | snake |
| John Dory, what is it? | What’s going on, what’s the gossip? |
| Journalist | journalist or reporter |
K
| buddy | Kindergarten or kindergarten |
| sleep | nap |
| dumb | tired or exhausted |
| knock | visit |
| Knock back | refusal |
| deduct | Finish the work for the day |
To
| Larkin | Someone who is a mischievous person, disrespectful or playing practical jokes |
| steep | throw something |
| loli | Sweets or sweets |
M
| Maccas | McDonald’s |
| Partner | A term of friendship or companionship, similar to “friend” or “friend” |
| moolah | Of money |
| Mozzie | mosquito |
| cup | fool |
| mullet | Hairstyle short on top and long at the back |
| gather | A collection or assembly of animals, or a social gathering in the Land of Israel |
N
| Dark | to annoy or annoy someone, or a person who informs others. |
| forever | Outback Australia, especially remote or unknown areas |
| No drama | It’s okay, don’t worry about it |
| no worries | An expression of forgiveness or assurance |
| Not the sharpest tool in the shed | A way of saying that someone is not very intelligent |
| naked | naked |
| dormant | a stupid or stupid person |
O
| oker | A stereotypically rude or uncultured Australian |
| Oh | A call used to get someone’s attention or express excitement, similar to “hi” |
| old partner | A general term for a person, especially when his name is unknown |
| on the nose | Something that smells bad or doesn’t look right |
| op shop | Abbreviation of “opportunity store” – second hand store or charity store |
| get out of balance | Something is not working or functioning properly |
| Outback | The remote or rural areas of Australia |
| courage | Australia |
P
| Fash | A long and passionate kiss |
| pav | Pavlova, an Australian dessert |
| Furious | drunk |
| pokey | Poker machine or slot machine |
| Polly | politician |
| postie | Dever |
| Posey | position |
| Prezi | Gift |
That
| shoot, do a | earn a living, earn money |
R
| rack | Go away |
| Ranga | A man with red hair |
| enthusiastic | satisfied, satisfied |
| rat bag | stupid person |
| calculate | think or “you bet” |
| rellie | Relative, family member |
| to tear a hole | Great, fantastic |
| Ripa | big |
| raise up | turn up |
| rusty | From practice, worn out |
S
| Singer | Sandwich |
| Servo | Gas station or service station |
| Sheila | A woman, especially an Australian woman |
| She would be right | Everything will be fine |
| shoot through | leave |
| Shout out, mine | My turn to buy a round of drinks, a meal, coffee, etc. |
| sick | A day off from work due to illness |
| smoko | Smoke or coffee break |
| rupture | sausage |
| spit the dummy | get very angry |
| jumped | Caught doing something wrong |
| Streut | An expression of surprise or shock, similar to “wow” or “oh my god” |
| sun | Sun glasses |
| swaying | Rolled sheets |
ninth
| ta | Thanks |
| tall poppy | a successful person |
| Tassie | Tasmania |
| tea | Dinner |
| T-up | to set up, to organize |
| Tell him he’s dreaming | Answer when someone doesn’t offer a fair deal |
| TV set | TV set |
| flip flops | flip flops or sandals |
| metallic | A beer can or a small aluminum boat |
| too true | Agree, enthusiastically |
| the upper edge | The northern part of Australia |
| trackie often | Tracksuit bottoms or sweatpants |
| tradie | professional |
| true blue | Aussie or really authentic |
| Tucker | food |
| duos | Swimmers, swimsuit |
| stuck | Be tight and comfortable in bed |
U
| u-ey | U-turn while driving |
| Uggies | ugg boots, Australian sheepskin boots |
| unco | uncoordinated |
| under the pump | under pressure |
| underpants | underpants |
| raise yourself up | Being arrogant or self-important |
| ute | A utility vehicle, similar to a van |
V
| Plant outside | relax |
| vegetables | vegetables |
W
| Whining | to complain |
| wombat | A native Australian marsupial (also a stupid person) |
| Wrap up your laughter gear | eat or consume something |
J
| Yes | are you |
| Yabi | A freshwater crab found in Australian waterways |
| Yaka | Working |
| wire | story or conversation |
| Yobo | An uncivilized or boisterous person |
| mammals | long time |
| are you | Both of you, all of you |
| yammu | Delicious, tasty or delicious |
Now you had Captain Cook on this list, what do you think?
Can you think of anything worth including?
Tell me in the comments below. Ta.
But for now, that’s cheers from me.
