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Aussie slang: deciphered!

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.

aussie slang

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:

  1. We’re Australian, not British. Although colonised by the British, over time an Australian dialect developed.
  2. We’re geographically isolated, which contributes to the development of a unique culture and identity.
  3. 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

aggroangry or aggressive
amber fluidbeer
amboambulance or paramedic
ankle bitera young child
apples, she’ll beit will be alright
arvoafternoon
AussieAustralian
Aussie saluteWaving your hands to scare away flies
avoavocado

B

back of Bourkefar away location, far away from civilisation
bailcancel plans, leave or not turn up
barbiebarbeque
beautfantastic
big smokethe big city (for example, Sydney)
bikkiebiscuit
billya teapot used on a campfire
blokea man
bloodyvery (as in, “it’s bloody hot”)
bloody oathvery true
blowieblow fly
bludgerlazy person
bluenickname for someone with red hair
blokea man, particularly an Australian man
bog instart eating
bogana person who is unsophisticated (and usually uses a lot of Aussie slang!)
bonzer awesome, excellent
bottlobottle shop
bowlobowling club
brekkybreakfast
Buckley’sno chance or a very small chance
budgie smugglerstight-fitting swimming costume worn by men
bundyBundaberg, a brand of Australian rum
bushrural or remote parts of Australia
bush tellycampfire
BYObring your own (usually referring to alcohol at a restaurant or alcohol/food to a party)
aussie slang 2

C

cactus
broken, not functioning
Captain Cook, have ahave a look
cark itto die or stop working
choccychocolate
chockersfull to the brim
chookchicken
chunderto vomit
ChrissieChristmas
clobberclothes or attire
cobberfriend or mate
corker
something that is very good
crikeyused to communicate amazement or surprise
crooksick or not well made
cuppacup 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
dakspants, trousers
deadsetabsolutely
diggera soldier, particularly an Australian soldier
dipsticka loser, idiot
dobbera tattletale
dog’s breakfastmessy
dog’s hind leg, as crooked assomeone who’s dishonest, unscrupulous or deceptive
down underAustralia and New Zealand
drongoan idiot
dunny a toilet
durrya cigarette

E

earbashingnagging
eskyan insulated food/drink container that people take to picnics, barbecues etc
exxyexpensive

F

fair dinkumunquestionably good or genuine, often used as a general expression of approval
fair goa chance
fair suck of the sauce bottlea plea to be treated fairly
fair crack of the whipa plea to be treated fairly
ferala person who is uncivilised, unkempt or anti-social
flannoflannalette shirt
footyfootball
frothybeer
furphyan erroneous or improbable story that is claimed to be factual

G

g’dayhello
galaha fool or silly
garbosomeone who collects garbage
good onyawell done
grogalcohol
gutful, I’ve had aI’ve had enough
australian slang

H

hard yakkahard work
heapsa lot
hoona reckless driver or someone who behaves in a foolish manner
hooroogoodbye
hottiean attractive person

I

idiot boxtelevision
iffyuncertain or dubious
iso“isolation” or “self-isolation”
itchy feet a desire to travel or move on to new things

J

jackaroo or jillarooa male or female trainee on a sheep or cattle station
joe blakea snake
John Dory, what’s thewhat’s happening, what’s the gossip?
journoa journalist or reporter

K

kindiekindergarten or preschool
kipa nap
knackeredtired or exhausted
knockto criticise
knock backrefusal
knock offto finish work for the day

L

larrikinsomeone who is person who is mischievous, irreverent or plays practical jokes
lobto throw something
lolliessweets or candy

M

MaccasMcDonald’s
matea term of friendship or companionship, similar to “buddy” or “pal”
moolahmoney
mozziemosquito
mugfool
mulleta hairstyle that is short on top and long at the back
mustera gathering or roundup of livestock, or a social gathering in the outback
aussie slang guide 1

N

narkto annoy or irritate someone, or a person who informs on others.
never neverthe Australian outback, particularly remote or uncharted areas
no dramait’s ok, don’t worry about it
no worriesexpression of forgiveness or reassurance
not the sharpest tool in the shed a way of saying someone is not very intelligent
nuddynaked
numptya foolish or silly person

O

ockera stereotypically rough or uncultured Australian person
oian exclamation used to get someone’s attention or express excitement, similar to “hey”
old matea generic term for a person, particularly when their name is unknown
on the nose something that smells bad or doesn’t seem right
op shopshort for “opportunity shop” – a thrift store or charity shop
out of whacksomething is not working or functioning correctly
outbackthe remote or rural areas of Australia
OzAustralia

P

pasha long and passionate kiss
pavpavlova, an Australian dessert
pisseddrunk
pokiea poker machine or slot machine
pollypolitician
postiepostman
pozzyposition
prezzypresent

Q

quid, make aearn a living, make money

R

rack offgo away
rangaperson with red hair
raptpleased, delighted
ratbagsilly person
reckonthink or “you bet”
rellierelative, family member
rip snortergreat, fantastic
rippagreat
rock upturn up
rustyout of practice, worn out

S

sangersandwich
servoa gas station or service station
sheila a woman, particularly an Australian woman
she’ll be righteverything will be ok
shoot throughto leave
shout, mymy turn to buy a round of drinks, meal, coffee etc
sickiea day off work due to illness
smokosmoke or coffee break
snaga sausage
spit the dummyget very upset
sprungcaught doing something wrong
streuthan expression of surprise or shock, similar to “wow” or “oh my god”
sunniessunglasses
swagrolled up bedding
slang australian

T

tathank you
tall poppysuccessful person
TassieTasmania
teasupper
tee-upset up, organise
tell him he’s dreaminga reply when someone is not offering a fair deal
tellytelevision
thongsflip flops or sandals
tinnya can of beer or a small aluminium boat
too rightagree, enthusiastically
top endthe northern part of Australia
trackie dackstracksuit pants or sweatpants
tradiea tradesperson
true bluegenuinely Australian or authentic
tuckerfood
togsswimmers, bathing suit
tucked upto be snug and comfortable in bed

U

u-eya U-turn while driving
uggies ugg boots, Australian sheepskin boots
uncouncoordinated
under the pumpunder pressure
undiesunderwear
up yourselfto be arrogant or self-important
utea utility vehicle, similar to a pick-up truck

V

veg outrelax
vegesvegetables

W

whingecomplain
wombatnative Australian marsupial (also, a stupid person)
wrap your laughing gear around to eat or consume something

Y

yayou
yabbya freshwater crayfish found in Australian waterways
yakkawork
yarna story or conversation
yobboan uncultured or rowdy person
yonksa long time
youseyou both, you all
yummodelicious, 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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