The ultimate guide to Australian slang words and phrases
This post hasn't even started and I've used some Aussie slang - Aussie (pronounced "Ozzie" rather than "Awzie").
Yes, if you live in Australia, visit down under (yep, that's another bit of slang), or even just read my Aussie recipe posts from another part of the world, you'll need to get used to words being shortened and odd words being used for familiar things.
We love our slang insults and instead of answering questions with a simple "yes", we can sometimes ramble a bit with "nah, yeah, no worries mate."
Confused?
Keep reading.
What is slang?
The Cambridge dictionary defines slang as "very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written, used especially by particular 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's also a bit of nuance involved, and context and location within Australia can matter.
Why do Australians use so much slang?
We use so much slang in Australia, that sometimes I'm not even aware I'm using slang and other times I don't even understand my fellow Aussies who might be using some more obscure slang.
The use of slang is a cultural phenomenon that can be attributed to a few factors:
- We're Australian, not British. Although colonised by the British, over time an Australian dialect developed.
- We're geographically isolated, which contributes to the development of a unique culture and identity.
- We're laid back, mate. And that's reflected in our language.
Ready to discover some of our slang words and phrases?
Aussie slang: popular words and phrases
Here's my list of the words and phrases that might leave you scratching your head (confused) if you haven't spent much time in Australia.
It's not exhaustive, so leave a comment below or message me if you think I've left anything out.
A
| aggro | angry or aggressive |
| amber fluid | beer |
| ambo | ambulance or paramedic |
| ankle biter | a young child |
| apples, she'll be | it will be alright |
| arvo | afternoon |
| Aussie | Australian |
| Aussie salute | Waving your hands to scare away flies |
| avo | avocado |
B
| back of Bourke | far away location, far away from civilisation |
| bail | cancel plans, leave or not turn up |
| barbie | barbeque |
| beaut | fantastic |
| big smoke | the big city (for example, Sydney) |
| bikkie | biscuit |
| billy | a teapot used on a campfire |
| bloke | a man |
| bloody | very (as in, "it's bloody hot") |
| bloody oath | very true |
| blowie | blow fly |
| bludger | lazy person |
| blue | nickname for someone with red hair |
| bloke | a man, particularly an Australian man |
| bog in | start eating |
| bogan | a person who is unsophisticated (and usually uses a lot of Aussie slang!) |
| bonzer | awesome, excellent |
| bottlo | bottle shop |
| bowlo | bowling club |
| brekky | breakfast |
| Buckley's | no chance or a very small chance |
| budgie smugglers | tight-fitting swimming costume worn by men |
| bundy | Bundaberg, a brand of Australian rum |
| bush | rural or remote parts of Australia |
| bush telly | campfire |
| BYO | bring your own (usually referring to alcohol at a restaurant or alcohol/food to a party) |
C
| cactus | broken, not functioning |
| Captain Cook, have a | have a look |
| cark it | to die or stop working |
| choccy | chocolate |
| chockers | full to the brim |
| chook | chicken |
| chunder | to vomit |
| Chrissie | Christmas |
| clobber | clothes or attire |
| cobber | friend or mate |
| corker | something that is very good |
| crikey | used to communicate amazement or surprise |
| crook | sick or not well made |
| cuppa | cup of tea or coffee, something to enjoy with a slice |
D
| dag | an unfashionable person, someone lacking style or character or a socially awkward person |
| daks | pants, trousers |
| deadset | absolutely |
| digger | a soldier, particularly an Australian soldier |
| dipstick | a loser, idiot |
| dobber | a tattletale |
| dog's breakfast | messy |
| dog's hind leg, as crooked as | someone who's dishonest, unscrupulous or deceptive |
| down under | Australia and New Zealand |
| drongo | an idiot |
| dunny | a toilet |
| durry | a cigarette |
E
| earbashing | nagging |
| esky | an insulated food/drink container that people take to picnics, barbecues etc |
| exxy | expensive |
F
| fair dinkum | unquestionably good or genuine, often used as a general expression of approval |
| fair go | a chance |
| fair suck of the sauce bottle | a plea to be treated fairly |
| fair crack of the whip | a plea to be treated fairly |
| feral | a person who is uncivilised, unkempt or anti-social |
| flanno | flannalette shirt |
| footy | football |
| frothy | beer |
| furphy | an erroneous or improbable story that is claimed to be factual |
G
| g'day | hello |
| galah | a fool or silly |
| garbo | someone who collects garbage |
| good onya | well done |
| grog | alcohol |
| gutful, I've had a | I've had enough |
H
| hard yakka | hard work |
| heaps | a lot |
| hoon | a reckless driver or someone who behaves in a foolish manner |
| hooroo | goodbye |
| hottie | an attractive person |
I
| idiot box | television |
| iffy | uncertain or dubious |
| iso | "isolation" or "self-isolation" |
| itchy feet | a desire to travel or move on to new things |
J
| jackaroo or jillaroo | a male or female trainee on a sheep or cattle station |
| joe blake | a snake |
| John Dory, what's the | what's happening, what's the gossip? |
| journo | a journalist or reporter |
K
| kindie | kindergarten or preschool |
| kip | a nap |
| knackered | tired or exhausted |
| knock | to criticise |
| knock back | refusal |
| knock off | to finish work for the day |
L
| larrikin | someone who is person who is mischievous, irreverent or plays practical jokes |
| lob | to throw something |
| lollies | sweets or candy |
M
| Maccas | McDonald's |
| mate | a term of friendship or companionship, similar to "buddy" or "pal" |
| moolah | money |
| mozzie | mosquito |
| mug | fool |
| mullet | a hairstyle that is short on top and long at the back |
| muster | a gathering or roundup of livestock, or a social gathering in the outback |
N
| nark | to annoy or irritate someone, or a person who informs on others. |
| never never | the Australian outback, particularly remote or uncharted areas |
| no drama | it's ok, don't worry about it |
| no worries | expression of forgiveness or reassurance |
| not the sharpest tool in the shed | a way of saying someone is not very intelligent |
| nuddy | naked |
| numpty | a foolish or silly person |
O
| ocker | a stereotypically rough or uncultured Australian person |
| oi | an exclamation used to get someone's attention or express excitement, similar to "hey" |
| old mate | a generic term for a person, particularly when their name is unknown |
| on the nose | something that smells bad or doesn't seem right |
| op shop | short for "opportunity shop" – a thrift store or charity shop |
| out of whack | something is not working or functioning correctly |
| outback | the remote or rural areas of Australia |
| Oz | Australia |
P
| pash | a long and passionate kiss |
| pav | pavlova, an Australian dessert |
| pissed | drunk |
| pokie | a poker machine or slot machine |
| polly | politician |
| postie | postman |
| pozzy | position |
| prezzy | present |
Q
| quid, make a | earn a living, make money |
R
| rack off | go away |
| ranga | person with red hair |
| rapt | pleased, delighted |
| ratbag | silly person |
| reckon | think or "you bet" |
| rellie | relative, family member |
| rip snorter | great, fantastic |
| rippa | great |
| rock up | turn up |
| rusty | out of practice, worn out |
S
| sanger | sandwich |
| servo | a gas station or service station |
| sheila | a woman, particularly an Australian woman |
| she'll be right | everything will be ok |
| shoot through | to leave |
| shout, my | my turn to buy a round of drinks, meal, coffee etc |
| sickie | a day off work due to illness |
| smoko | smoke or coffee break |
| snag | a sausage |
| spit the dummy | get very upset |
| sprung | caught doing something wrong |
| streuth | an expression of surprise or shock, similar to "wow" or "oh my god" |
| sunnies | sunglasses |
| swag | rolled up bedding |
T
| ta | thank you |
| tall poppy | successful person |
| Tassie | Tasmania |
| tea | supper |
| tee-up | set up, organise |
| tell him he's dreaming | a reply when someone is not offering a fair deal |
| telly | television |
| thongs | flip flops or sandals |
| tinny | a can of beer or a small aluminium boat |
| too right | agree, enthusiastically |
| top end | the northern part of Australia |
| trackie dacks | tracksuit pants or sweatpants |
| tradie | a tradesperson |
| true blue | genuinely Australian or authentic |
| tucker | food |
| togs | swimmers, bathing suit |
| tucked up | to be snug and comfortable in bed |
U
| u-ey | a U-turn while driving |
| uggies | ugg boots, Australian sheepskin boots |
| unco | uncoordinated |
| under the pump | under pressure |
| undies | underwear |
| up yourself | to be arrogant or self-important |
| ute | a utility vehicle, similar to a pick-up truck |
V
| veg out | relax |
| veges | vegetables |
W
| whinge | complain |
| wombat | native Australian marsupial (also, a stupid person) |
| wrap your laughing gear around | to eat or consume something |
Y
| ya | you |
| yabby | a freshwater crayfish found in Australian waterways |
| yakka | work |
| yarn | a story or conversation |
| yobbo | an uncultured or rowdy person |
| yonks | a long time |
| youse | you both, you all |
| yummo | delicious, tasty, or yummy |
Now you've had a Captain Cook at this list, what do you think?
Can you think of something that should be included?
Let me know in the comments below. Ta.
For now, though, it's hooroo from me.
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