Australian Slang: 101 Phrases and Phrases to Assist You Sound Extra Native Down Beneath
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Do you know that the phrase “selfie” got here from Australia?
You’re welcome, world.
We Australians—I imply, Aussies—like to abbreviate (shorten) our phrases.
After some analysis (which concerned having a beer, barbie and saying “G’day” to some mates) I’ve provide you with each the reason why we love abbreviations: We sound friendlier and extra informal after we use quick phrases.
Total, Australians are very laid again and this exhibits after we converse. Needless to say we don’t truly write issues this manner.
Let’s take a look at some awesomely abbreviated Australian slang phrases and the way they’re used within the land down below.
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1. Cuppa — a cup of tea
That is the abbreviated type of the phrase “a cup of tea.” It’s quite common to drink tea in Australia so this is without doubt one of the commonest slang phrases you’ll hear.
In case you didn’t already know, the British colonized Australia. So, in fact tea was introduced over with the early settlers.
“Would ya prefer to pop round for a cuppa?”
2. Macca’s — McDonald’s
That is the abbreviated model of McDonald’s. To an Australian, announcing three syllables is an excessive amount of effort. Two syllables is way simpler.
Let’s go right down to Macca’s for some burgers.
3. Arvo — afternoon
This comes from the phrase “afternoon.” In case you say the phrase afternoon in your head, you will discover that it additionally has three syllables! Nicely that’s too many!
Two syllables is faster. Which means we will go for a surf sooner.
4. Straya — Australia
This one is simple to be taught and even simpler to pronounce. Most native English audio system will pronounce all of the syllables in “Australia,” however we Aussies simply say the final two syllables as an alternative.
You’ll have to be cautious if you begin speaking with an Aussie—if you happen to say “AU-STRA-LIA” they may make enjoyable of your pronunciation (however in a pleasant means).
5. Footy — rugby
Aussies love their footy! However for us, footy is rugby.
We love rugby a lot that there are 4 main varieties: Rugby Union, Rugby League, AFL and Contact soccer.
Don’t get confused with the different soccer. We name this soccer (just like the People do).
“You wanna watch footie spherical mine this arvo?”
6. Biccy — biscuit
In case you’ve been speaking about footy for hours and also you’re beginning to get hungry, ask your pal for a biccy! Biccy is brief for biscuit.
Be warned—in Australia, a biccy is many issues. A biccy is usually a cracker, cookie (American) or a plain, barely candy spherical snack you eat together with your tea.
The commonest biccies are Tim-Tams, Saos (not candy), choc-chip biccies and digestives (UK).
“Give us a biccy with our tea.”
7. Choccy — chocolate
Yum! Everybody loves chocolate, so right here’s the way you discuss it in Straya. Use the phrase choccy.
That means, if you happen to don’t really feel like a plain biccy, merely ask if they’ve a choccy biccy. That’s a chocolate biscuit!
“Choccy is healthier than footie.”
8. Lappy — laptop computer
This abbreviation is extra of a nickname. The phrase doesn’t get a lot shorter, though that is technically an abbreviation. Consider it as a cute identify in your laptop computer!
“I must get a brand new lappy. I spilled a cuppa on mine.”
AC/DC is probably the most well-known Australian band. Everybody in Australia is aware of about Accadacca!
I feel that is the primary band you’ll take heed to as an Australian baby. In case you go to the pub, you’ll hear it. Really, you’ll hear an Accadacca track virtually in all places you go if you go to Australia.
“No band rocks like Accadacca.”
10. Devo — devastated
Devastated is usually shortened to “devo,” however you don’t actually must be devastated to make use of this one. It’s normally used as an exaggeration for mildly upset.
11. Defo — undoubtedly
This phrase isn’t associated to “devo” in any respect though it seems very related. That is the shortened model of “undoubtedly” and it’s primarily used to say “sure.”
12. S’arvo — this afternoon
This phrase is an extension of “arvo.” It actually means “this afternoon” versus any afternoon usually.
13. Servo — fuel station
I wager you’ve heard the noun “fuel station.” That is an American time period.
In Australia we name it one thing fully totally different: a service station or a servo.
Additionally, we don’t consult with gasoline as “fuel” in Australia. We name it “petrol”…until it’s diesel.
We regularly have a mini-market inside every fuel station that sells meals and gives different providers. So after you refill your automobile with petrol, you may also purchase milk, espresso, water, credit score in your cellphone and perhaps a latte. Typically you’ll be able to even pay your payments.
After all, 4 syllables is an excessive amount of effort for us, so we’ve got abbreviated it to servo.
“I gotta swing by the servo to choose up some pies and petrol.”
14. Petty — gasoline
This phrase is extra widespread amongst youthful individuals. So, after you go to the servo, you refill your automobile with petty (petrol). Keep in mind, petrol is what we name gasoline.
“Scrounge up some money for petty.”
15. Bottle-o — liquor retailer
That is the abbreviation for a bottle store, normally known as a liquor retailer in American English.
“Swing by the bottle-o and choose up a sixer of tinnies.”
16. Tinny — can of beer
In Australia, a lot of our beers are bought in cans. We name these tins. So, if you go to the bottle-o, take a look for the well-known Toohey’s New or Victoria Bitter (VB) tinnys.
“In case you cowl the tinnys, I’ll purchase the meat pies.”
17. Coppa — police officer
This implies a policeman or legislation enforcement officer.
It seems that this isn’t actually 100% Australian slang, because it has its roots in English slang. Our model of the phrase relies on the English phrase “copper.” This derives from the verb “to cop” which suggests “to catch.” People additionally name law enforcement officials “cops.”
As the unique white settlers in Australia had been English convicts, the time period copper in all probability came visiting from England.
“Decelerate! There’s a coppa!”
18. Tradie — tradesman
The phrase tradie derives from the total phrase “tradesman,” which is a time period for all these individuals who work doing a commerce or a job that requires specific expertise.
For instance, electricians, plumbers and carpenters have commerce jobs. Not simply anyone can have one, it’s good to learn the way first.
“I’m considering of changing into a tradie after faculty.”
19. Postie — postal employee
That is easy: A postie is a postman/postwoman, or somebody who delivers our letters and parcels every day.
“Did the postie come spherical but? I’m ready for a examine.”
20. Garbo — rubbish collector
That is quick for rubbish collector or rubbish truck driver, which is taken into account a superb job in Straya.
“There’s the garbo! Fast get the garbage out!”
21. Muso — musician
Anybody who performs in a band at a pub is known as a muso. More often than not, they get a small amount of cash and free beer for acting at their native watering gap or pub.
“The musos are beginning up round 9.”
22. Cabbie — taxi driver
As you’ll have guessed, this implies cab driver or taxi driver.
We normally consult with cabs as taxis in Australia. Nonetheless, we desire to make use of to noun cabbie for the taxi driver. People use this time period as effectively.
23. Brickie — bricklayer
A brickie is a tradie who works as a bricklayer. Such a expert work entails laying bricks in flooring, sidewalks and constructing partitions of recent buildings and homes.
“That brickie have to be knackered. This wall is crooked.”
24. Firey — firefighter
This can be a phrase for a firefighter. It was 4 syllables so we made it two.
“I think about it’d be fairly scary to be a firey.”
25. Ambo — ambulance
This abbreviation is used to consult with each the ambulance (the automobile) in addition to the ambulance driver.
Don’t fear if you happen to hear it and get confused. We have a tendency to make use of this phrase to consult with each issues interchangeably.
“Name an ambo! I broke my arm.”
26. Facey — Fb
The shortened model of Fb. You’ll in all probability hear youngsters consult with it as Facey. It’s true: even model names aren’t immune from Aussie shortening and slang.
27. Prezzie — current
The quick model of the noun “current.” While you’re invited to a party or every other celebration, just be sure you deliver a prezzie.
Typical prezzies embody wine, beer or reward vouchers.
“Thanks for the prezzie, mate!”
28. Chrissie — Christmas
It’s possible you’ll be considering that it is a girl’s identify, however you’d be fallacious. That is our phrase for Christmas! Begin shopping for your Chrissie prezzies earlier than the shops are empty!
“Chrissy is my favourite vacation of the 12 months!”
29. Avo — avocado
The best fruit on the earth. The standard avocado will be eaten in some ways. I like to recommend it on toast.
Earlier than including avocado…unfold some Vegemite on the toast, add the avo and prime it off with some thinly sliced cheese!
When you’ve mastered that snack, you’ll be much more of a real blue Aussie!
“We’d like some extra avos. Go around the market.”
30. Barbie — barbecue
Everybody appears to know the phrase “Throw some shrimp on the barbie,” however in actuality, we are saying “prawns” right here. This phrase merely means barbecue. We Aussies are inclined to grill up fish, prawns, rooster and steak.
“Let’s go a barbie on the seaside this arvo.”
31. Bloke — man
This one comes from British English and it merely means “man,” or “dude” if you happen to’re American.
“That bloke simply stole my automobile!”
32. Bludger — lazy individual
This can be a humorous slang time period for somebody nobody desires to know: a sloth, in any other case referred to as a lazy bloke (or girl) who doesn’t wish to do a lot of something.
“Don’t be a bludger, Tommy. Stand up and search for a job!”
33. Chook — rooster
“Rooster” was too lengthy for Aussies, so we shortened it to to “chook.” This can be a fashionable barbie meals.
“Decide up some chook for the barbie.”
While you want a break day work, however you’re not likely sick, that is the time period for you.
“The waves are too good… I’m chucking a sickie at present!”
35. Dunny — bathroom
That is our cute model of “bathroom,” don’t ask me why. It’s truly the unique time period for an outdoor bathroom, usually referred to as an outhouse in America.
36. Esky — cooler
That is a kind of conditions the place the preferred model identify turns into a time period for the entire class, type of like Kleenex in the US. Any cooler can now be known as an “Esky.”
“Refill the Esky. We’re headed to the seaside.”
That is Aussie gold normal slang. It means true or real. The true factor is one other means of placing it. The phrase was dropped at Straya from Britain, the place it originated within the dialects of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, the place it meant “work,” or “a due share of labor.”
“Truthful dinkum for a good day’s pay.”
“Good on ya” is a option to acknowledge that somebody’s accomplished one thing effectively. It’s possible you’ll say this after somebody graduates from college or will get a brand new job.
“Good on ya, Tina. You’re going to make an excellent physician.”
40. Heaps — lots
As an alternative of claiming “lots” or “many,” most Aussies will say this. It may be used to explain a crowd or a tinny-filled Esky.
“The market has heaps of bananas on sale proper now!”
While you’re drained, and even exhausted from a protracted day’s work, a day of browsing and even from doing nothing, you’re “knackered” and you might wish to take a nap.
“Dude, I’m knackered from browsing.”
42. Larrikin — mischievous individual
That is normally used to explain a boisterous and badly behaved younger man. It might additionally imply a maverick, maybe to explain a trailblazer of some business—somebody like Elon Musk.
“Tommy’s a little bit of a larrikin. He must get it collectively.”
By way of “lollies” is brief for “lollipops,” in Straya, it may be used to explain any candy sweet deal with.
“I’ve bought a longing for lollies.”
44. Mate — pal
This comes from British English and easily means “pal.”
“Come right here, mate. Give us a hug.”
This slang phrase has been exported to virtually each English talking nation on earth. It means “no drawback” or “don’t fear about it” and it completely encapsulates the Aussie mindset.
“No worries, mate. It’s all good.”
46. Ocker — uncultured Australian individual
This phrase normally describes an Australian male who’s uncouth, unrefined and even boorish. It may also be used affectionately although to explain a stereotypical Aussie bloke, love him or hate him.
“He’s an ocker, however I like him!”
47. Outback — rural areas of Australia
The distant, sparsely populated areas of Australia are identified collectively as “the outback,” that means out again behind the cities on the coasts.
“I simply bought again from two weeks tenting within the outback.”
48. Pom — English individual
The origin is unclear, however we name Brits “poms” within the land down below. One idea of the phrase’s origins is that it comes from the letters “POME,” which was stamped on the clothes of British prisoners within the late 1800s, as an acronym of “Prisoner of Mom England.”
“Typical pom. He likes tea and has dangerous enamel.”
49. Ripper — wonderful
This time period means nice or wonderful. A wave is usually a ripper and so can a celebration.
“That race was an actual ripper!”
50. Roo — kangaroo
Since we Aussies prefer to shorten the whole lot, why not the identify of one in every of our most well-known animals?
“Be careful for roos on the highway!”
51. Sheila — girl
This one is used lower than it was as a result of it may be thought of sexist, however you continue to hear it within the outback. It’s used to explain a girl. Apparently, the identify was extra widespread for girls in Straya.
“That Sheila is an actual catch!”
52. Snag — sausage
One other shortened slang phrase, a “snag” will be any sort of sausage, and it usually discovered at barbies.
“Decide up some snags for the barbie!”
53. Strewth! — exclamation of shock
When an Aussie is shocked or shocked, they could exclaim “strewth!”
“Strewth! That spider got here out of nowhere.”
54. Sunnies — sun shades
That is merely the abbreviated phrase for “sun shades,” that are a necessity down below as a result of it’s so sunny a lot of the 12 months.
“I’m blinded! I forgot my sunnies!”
55. Surfies — surfers
In a rustic with as many seashores and with a wealthy and dynamic seaside tradition, it’s no surprise there are going to be loads of surfers.
“The break is chocked with surfies at present.”
56. Tassie —Tasmania
That island state off the southeast coast of Australia that’s well-known for its little devils? Aussies don’t trouble with the total “Tasmania,” with its cumbersome 4 syllables. They merely name it “Tassie.”
“You wish to do a weekend in Tassie?
57. Thongs — flip-flops
In North America, “thongs” could also be a kind of racy underwear, however in Straya, they’re these low-cost rubber seaside slippers referred to as “flip-flops.”
“I stubbed by toe as a result of I used to be sporting thongs.”
58. True blue — real, patriotic
In case you’re “true blue,” you’re the true factor. It might imply real, patriotic or simply that you just’re a arise individual.
59. Ute — pickup truck
That is the abbreviation for pickup truck or utility truck, and even an SUV.
“Can I borrow your ute? I’ve to maneuver this weekend.”
Aussies use this cute slang to explain younger youngsters, who’re quick sufficient to chunk your ankles (however hopefully received’t!)
“Now that I’ve bought an ankle biter of my very own, I’m knackered!”
61. Bathers — swimsuit
Australia has plenty of slang for swimsuits and that is one in every of them.
“Have you ever bought your bathers within the automobile? I’d like to take a dip.”
62. Billabong — stagnant waterhole
This isn’t truly slang as a result of the phrase is from the Wiradjuri Indigenous phrase bilabang, which interprets to “lake.” At the moment, most individuals affiliate the phrase with the favored surf firm and it’s additionally used to explain stagnant lakes within the outback.
“Don’t swim in that billabong.”
63. Bogan — unsophisticated individual
This phrase isn’t a praise. It normally refers to an uncouth individual from someplace within the outback.
“This city is filled with bogans.”
64. Chewie — chewing gum
This abbreviation merely means “chewing gum.” Why say three syllables when you should use two?
“My mouth is dry. I would like some chewie.”
When the seaside is packed or the pub is full, they’re “chockers” or packed.
“Man the seaside is chockers at present.”
66. Cozzie — swimsuit
Right here’s yet one more slang phrase for swimsuit. This one derives from the British “swimming or bathing costume.”
“Carry your cozzie! It’s going to be a sizzling one.”
67. Crikey — exclamation of shock
That is one other option to specific shock.
“Crikey it’s sizzling at present!”
68. Daggy — retro
“Daggy” can be utilized in fairly various methods, from describing a scruffy or retro outfit to an affectionate insult to your greatest mate, who could not have the most effective social expertise or trend sense.
“What a daggy observe! We have to get a brand new DJ.”
69. Deadset — completely
This phrase means “undoubtedly.” If somebody is deadset on one thing, they’re going to do it.
“Tommy is deadset on getting that job.”
70. Drongo — idiot
This enjoyable slang phrase means “idiot,” “simpleton” or “fool,” nevertheless it may also be used affectionately.
71. Truthful go — give somebody a good likelihood
In case you give somebody a good go, you give them an opportunity. For instance, you might not be certified to be a cabbie, but when the taxi firm offers you a good go and also you do effectively, you might get the job anyway.
“We’re giving her a good go though she flubbed the interview.”
In case you drive full pace or “flat chat” to Melbourne, you can also make it in 5 hours. This phrase means to do one thing at most pace or effort.
“I’m working flat chat, mate. No time for anything.”
73. Fossick — seek for useful objects
In case you’re broke, you might must “fossick.” This implies to seek for gold initially, though now it may imply trying to find spare change and even spare garments to promote for more money.
“I’m fossicking by my storage for previous bits of copper pipe I can promote.”
74. Grommet — younger surfer
While you’re only a child and also you’re studying to surf, the opposite surfers will consult with you as a “grommet.”
“The break is full of grommets at present.”
“Laborious yakka” is Aussie slang for arduous work. The phrase “yakka” isn’t truly slang. It derives from the phrase for work (yaga), which comes from Yagara, one of many Indigenous languages in Australia.
“Cleansing out the yard is difficult yakka.”
76. Jumper — sweater
When it’s chilly exterior, seize a “jumper,” Aussie for the American time period “sweater.”
“I would like a jumper. It’s chilly out.”
77. Op store — thrift retailer
A charity store or a thrift store the place you should purchase used garments and housewares is called an “op store” in Australia, since you by no means know what alternative awaits there.
“I picked up a brand new designer swimsuit on the op store.”
Why so many abbreviations?
We Australians—I imply, Aussies—like to shorten our phrases.
Aussies like to have a superb yarn (chat). However, we wish to make it fast… or perhaps we’re simply lazy. Regardless of the cause, abbreviations are a necessary a part of being a “true blue” Aussie.
Australians use abbreviations as a result of they wish to be extra pleasant. They don’t want individuals to suppose that they’re snobs (too good to speak to them). We sound extra informal and friendlier after we use quick phrases.
A brief story utilizing Australian slang
All proper, now that we’ve discovered plenty of new Aussie slang, listed below are a number of the new phrases in a brief story. This can assist you be taught the phrases in context:
My mate Paolo invited me round to his home yesterday arvo for a fast cuppa. Paolo isn’t from Straya, however he loves a superb cuppa.
I stated to him, “mate, can we simply go to Macca’s? I actually really feel like a burger.” On the way in which to Macca’s, we needed to cease on the servo for some petty. After filling up on the servo, I placed on the radio. Accadacca was taking part in.
I used to be actually excited concerning the track and began driving too quick. I will need to have been rushing as a result of a coppa pulled me over.
The coppa requested, “Have you ever been ingesting?”
I replied, “nah, mate, I’m a tradie. I simply completed work.”
“Are you positive you haven’t had a tinny?” he replied.
I shook my head, “I may need one later once I watch the footy recreation.“
On the way in which to Macca’s we invited some extra mates. One was a cabbie, one other was a postie and the opposite two labored as a brickie and a firey.
Paolo typically works as a muso down on the native pub. He’s additionally a part-time garbo.
We lastly arrived at Macca’s. I ordered a burger and fries, and Paolo ordered rooster nuggets and a choccy biccy.
They’d free Wi-Fi there, so we used our lappys and went onto Facey. It seems that our mate bought a brand new job as an ambo driver! We had been defo enthusiastic about that!
After that, we began trying on-line for some good Chrissy prezzies for our mates. We discovered the proper prezzie, however after we tried to order it we came upon that there weren’t any left. Devo!
And that’s it! In case you want some extra apply, right here’s a incredible clip that can assist you with context—when and find out how to use the phrases—in addition to pronunciation.
We’ve lined plenty of slang however there’s at all times extra to be taught on the market.
Hopefully this new lingo will assist you in your research or journey journey down below!
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