The ultimate guide to Australian slang words and phrases
This post hasn’t even started yet and I used a little Aussie slang – Aussie (pronounced “Ozzie” instead of “Awzie”).
Yes, if you live in Australia, are visiting Down Under (yep, that’s a bit of slang again) or just reading my Australian recipe posts from another part of the world, you’ll need to get used to abbreviated words and weird words being used for familiar things .
We love our colloquial insults, and instead of answering questions with a simple “yes,” we can sometimes ramble around with, “Nope, yeah, don’t worry, bro.”
Confused?
Continue reading.
What is slang?
The Cambridge dictionary defines slang as “Very informal language, usually spoken rather than written, used especially by certain groups of people.”
And when it comes to Australians, there’s a lot of slang to learn. I was born and raised in Australia and am still learning myself.
There are also a few nuances, and context and location in Australia can play a role.
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 sometimes I don’t even understand those around me who may be using more obscure slang.
The use of slang is a cultural phenomenon that can be attributed to a few factors:
- We are Australian not British. Although colonized by the British, an Australian dialect developed over time.
- We are geographically isolated, which helps develop a unique culture and identity.
- We’re relaxed, buddy. And that is 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 words and phrases that might make you scratch (confuse) your head if you haven’t spent much time in Australia.
It’s not complete so leave a comment below or send me a message if you think I’ve left something out.
A
| aggressive | angry or aggressive |
| amber liquid | Beer |
| ambo | ambulance or paramedic |
| ankle biter | a little child |
| apples, she will be | it will be alright |
| arvo | Afternoon |
| aussie | Australian |
| Australian greeting | Wave your hands to scare away flies |
| av | avocado |
B
| Back of Bourke | remote location, far from civilization |
| Deposit | Cancel plans, leave or don’t show up |
| Barbie | grilling |
| nice | fantastic |
| big smoke | the big city (e.g. Sydney) |
| bikini | biscuit |
| billy | a teapot used on a campfire |
| Guy | a man |
| bloody | very (as in “it’s damn hot”) |
| bloody oath | very correct |
| nonsense | blow fly |
| bludger | lazy person |
| Blue | Nickname for someone with red hair |
| Guy | a man, particularly an Australian |
| sink | start eating |
| bogan | a person who is straightforward (and usually uses a lot of Aussie slang!) |
| class | great, excellent |
| bottomless | bottle shop |
| bowlo | bowling club |
| Breakfast | Breakfast |
| Buckley’s | no chance or a very small chance |
| Budgie Smuggler | close-fitting swimsuit for men |
| bundy | Bundaberg, a brand of Australian rum |
| bush | rural or remote parts of Australia |
| Bush TV | campfire |
| BYO | bring your own (usually refers to alcohol at a restaurant or alcohol/food at a party) |
C
| cactus | broken, not working |
| Captain Cook, have one | have a look |
| Car Kit | die or stop working |
| chocolaty | Chocolate |
| chokers | full to the brim |
| strangle | Chicken |
| hunter | to vomit |
| Chrissi | Christmas |
| Threads | clothes or clothing |
| cobbler | friend or buddy |
| corker | something that is very good |
| creeping | used to express astonishment or surprise |
| rogue | sick or not well done |
| Cup of tea | Cup of tea or coffee, something to enjoy with a slice |
D
| that | an unfashionable person, someone lacking in style or character, or a socially awkward person |
| daks | pants, pants |
| dead | absolutely |
| excavator | a soldier, particularly an Australian soldier |
| dipstick | a loser, idiot |
| dobber | a chatter |
| dog breakfast | chaotic |
| Dog hind leg, as crooked as | someone who is dishonest, unscrupulous, or deceitful |
| under | Australia and New Zealand |
| drone | an idiot |
| dunny | a toilet |
| thirsty | a cigarette |
E
| slaps | nagging |
| Eski | an insulated food/drink container that people take with them to picnics, barbecues, etc |
| sexy | expensive |
f
| very authentic | undoubtedly good or genuine, often used as a general expression of approval |
| go fair | a chance |
| fair suck the sauce bottle | a plea for fair treatment |
| neat crack of the whip | a plea for fair treatment |
| wild | a person who is uncivilized, scruffy, or antisocial |
| Flanno | flannel shirt |
| footed | football |
| foamy | Beer |
| furphy | a false or improbable story that is claimed to be fact |
G
| Hey there | Hello |
| Gala | a fool or stupid |
| garbo | someone who collects garbage |
| Good Onya | well done |
| grog | alcohol |
| Gutful, I had one | I’ve had enough |
H
| hard yakka | hard work |
| heap | a lot |
| hon | a reckless driver or someone who is acting stupid |
| Hooray | adoption |
| hottie | an attractive person |
I
| idiot box | TV |
| doubtful | uncertain or doubtful |
| 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 at a sheep or cattle station |
| Joe Blake | a snake |
| John Dory, what is this | What’s up, what’s the gossip? |
| diary | a journalist or reporter |
K
| baby | kindergarten or preschool |
| sleep | a nap |
| broken | tired or exhausted |
| beat | to critisize |
| hit back | rejection |
| knock off | to finish work for the day |
L
| Larrikin | someone who is mischievous, disrespectful, or playing pranks |
| praise | to throw something |
| lollipop | sweets or candies |
M
| Makkas | MC Donalds |
| mate | a term of friendship or camaraderie, similar to “mate” or “mate” |
| moolah | Money |
| Mozzarella | mosquito |
| A cup | To deceive |
| mullet | a hairstyle that is short at the top and long at the back |
| raise | a gathering or rounding up of livestock or a social gathering in the outback |
N
| snitch | to annoy or irritate someone, or a person who informs others. |
| Never | the Australian outback, particularly remote or unfamiliar areas |
| no drama | it’s ok, don’t worry |
| no problem | Expression of forgiveness or reassurance |
| not the sharpest tool in the shed | a way of saying someone is not very intelligent |
| naked | naked |
| deaf | a foolish or stupid person |
O
| ocher | a stereotypically rough or uncultured Australian person |
| oi | an exclamation used to get someone’s attention or to express excitement, similar to “hey” |
| old buddy | a general term for a person, especially when their name is unknown |
| On the nose | something that smells bad or doesn’t appear right |
| op shop | Abbreviation of “Opportunity Shop” – a thrift store or charity shop |
| out of control | something is not working or not working properly |
| Backland | the remote or rural areas of Australia |
| ounce | Australia |
P
| pash | a long and passionate kiss |
| pav | Pavlova, an Australian dessert |
| drunk | drunk |
| wallet | a poker or slot machine |
| Polly | Politician |
| postie | postman |
| puzzle | position |
| prezzy | currently |
Q
| Quid, make one | live, make money |
R
| get lost | Go away |
| Area | person with red hair |
| ecstatic | delighted, pleased |
| bleating goat | stupid person |
| calculate | think or “you bet” |
| rellie | relative, family member |
| sniffle | great fantastic |
| Rippa | Great |
| rock | turn up |
| rusty | out of practice, worn out |
S
| Singer | sandwich |
| servo | a gas station or service station |
| Sheila | a woman, particularly an Australian |
| she will be right | everything will be fine |
| shoot through | leave |
| scream my | It’s my turn to buy a round of drinks, food, coffee, etc |
| sick | a day off due to illness |
| smoke | Smoke or coffee break |
| Hook | a sausage |
| Spit out the dummy | very upset |
| sprung | caught doing something wrong |
| spread | an expression of surprise or shock, similar to “wow” or “oh my god” |
| sunglasses | sunglasses |
| prey | rolled up bed linen |
T
| ta | Thanks |
| big poppy | successful person |
| Tassi | Tasmania |
| tea | Dinner |
| tee | set up, organize |
| tell him he’s dreaming | a response when someone doesn’t make a fair offer |
| TV | TV |
| belt | Flip flops or sandals |
| tinny | a can of beer or a small aluminum boat |
| too right | agree, excited |
| the top end | the northern part of Australia |
| Trackie Dacks | Track pants or jogging pants |
| trade | a tradesman |
| really blue | real Australian or authentic |
| Tucker | Eat |
| together | swimmer, bathing suit |
| raised | to be cozy and comfortable in bed |
u
| u-ey | a U-turn while driving |
| stroller | Ugg boots, Australian sheepskin boots |
| unko | uncoordinated |
| under the pump | negative pressure |
| underwear | underwear |
| get up yourself | be arrogant or self-important |
| u | a utility vehicle, similar to a pick-up truck |
v
| vegetables out | relax |
| Vegetables | Vegetables |
W
| whine | complain |
| wombat | native Australian marsupial (also a stupid person) |
| Wrap your laugh gear around | eat or consume something |
Y
| Yes | You |
| jabby | a freshwater crustacean found in Australian waters |
| jakka | work |
| yarn | a story or a conversation |
| rowdy | an uncultured or scrappy person |
| Yon | a long time |
| you | both of you, all of you |
| Yummy | delicious, tasty or delicious |
Now that you have a Captain Cook on this list, what do you think?
Can you think of anything that should be included?
Let me know in the comments below. ta
But now it’s my hooray.