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So you want to learn Aussie slang….Well, now you can. Australians have learned to make every word sound different and shorter! Don’t be scared, this language can be learned within the hour. Here’s a list of the finest words that might come in handy while traveling around Australia.
One thing you will notice right away when arriving in Australia, is that the locals might say some funny words which you will not understand as a result you might want to learn some Aussie slang as it will most definitely help you navigate and avoid a few awkward situations that might arise. Don’t be worried though it’s not as scary as it seems.
Aussie Slang is fairly easy once you heard it a few times. Unlike German, Swedish, or any other strange European language where it is next to impossible to understand what they are saying.
So go ahead and crack a coldie and dive in. You’ll be an Aussie in no time. I guarantee it.
SLANG TERM | MEANING |
---|---|
Crikey! | Holy Sh*t! |
Bikki, Brekki, Barbie | Biscuit, Breakfast, Barbecue |
Stubby Holder | Drink sleeve |
Fair Dinkum | True/Real/Genuine |
Bloke, Sheila | Man, Women |
She'll Be Right | Everything's Going To Be ok |
Mate's Rate | A Friend's Discount |
Thongs | Sandals |
Gone Walkabout | A Foot Journey |
Bonzer | Awesome |
Go Troppo | Go Crazy |
Mate | Friend |
Ambulance | Ambo |
What's the John Dory | What's Going On? |
Do The Harry | Getting the Hell Out |
Defo | Definitely |
Smoko | Smoke Break |
Bottleo | Liquor Store |
Arvo | Afternoon |
Bogan | Redneck |
Root | Sex |
G'Day | Hello |
Knackered | Tired |
Macca's | Mcdonalds |
Have a crack | Try to Attempt Something |
Sanger | Sandwich |
A Stubbie Short of a Six pack | Someone Who is a Bit Crazy |
She’ll be Apples | Everything Will be Alright |
Sparrow’s Fart | Very Early in the Morning |
Heaps | Loads/Lots |
Stubby | Small Beer Bottle |
Tucker | Food |
Goon | Cheap Wine |
Galah | Fool/Silly Person |
Dunny | Toilet |
Dag | Funny Person |
Bottle Shop | Liquor Store |
Beauty | Great/Fantastic |
Accadacca | ACDC |
A Cold One | Beer |
Avo | Avocado |
Billabong | A pond in a dry riverbed |
Billy | Teapot |
Brolly | Umbrella |
Budgie Smugglers | Speedo |
Choc A Bloc | Full |
Chook | Chicken |
Footy | Football |
Flat out | Really busy |
Hard yakka | Hard work |
Iffy | bit risky |
Knickers | female underwear |
Lappy | Laptop |
Mozzies | Mosquitos |
No Worries | No problem |
Nuddy | Naked |
Outback | Country side |
Piece of Piss | Easy |
Piss Up | A Party/Get Together |
Rapt | Very happy |
Ta | Thank you |
Rellie | Relatives |
Servo | Garage/Service Station |
Car Park | Parking Lot |
Stiffy | Erection |
Straya | Australia |
Hungry Jacks | Burger King |
Sunnies | Sunglasses |
Swag | Sleeping Bag |
Tea | Dinner |
True Blue | Genuinely Australian |
Woop Woop | Middle of Nowhere |
Pregant | Preggas |
Bowling Club | Bowlo |
Garbage Man | Garbo |
Postman | Postie |
Registration | Rego |
Tracksuit Pants | Trackie Dacks |
Monday | Mondy |
Tuesday | Choosdee |
Wednesday | Wesndee |
Thursday | Thursdee |
Friday | Fri-Dee |
Saturday | Sat-Dee |
Sunday | Sundee |
Birthday | Birthdee |
Musician | Muso |
U-Turn | Uey |
Facey | |
Vegetarian | Veggo |
Cab Driver | Cabbie |
Lipstick | Lippy |
Present | Prezzie |
Christmas | Chrissy |
Cup of Tea | Cuppa |
Underpants | Undies |
Beverage | Bevy |
Chewing Gum | Chewy |
Husband | Hubby |
Cigarette | Ciggy |
Fireman | Firey |
Cop/Police | Coppa |
Kangaroo` | Roo |
Champagne | Champers |
Expensive | Exxy |
Brisbane | Brizzy |
Cabernet Sauvignon | Cab Sav |
Kindergarden | Kindy |
Conversation | Convos |
Grog | Alcohol |
Devo | Devastated |
Deadset | True |
Crack the Shits | Getting angry at someone or something |
Cobber | Very Good Friend |
Choccy Biccy | Chocolate Biscuit |
Bathers | Swimsuit |
Bail | To Cancel Plans |
Ankle Biter | Child |
Bloody | Very |
Here’s the deal…you will 100% be in a situation where locals will be using Aussie slang and you will be like WTF did they just say? Not to worry because I got you!
Some of these phrases might a little odd at first, but rest assured the more you hear them, the more you will assimilate them. Here are a few slang phrases you might encounter.
I was at the hostel one night and was asked “Are you coming to the piss-up later mate”…Took me a few seconds, but I got understood. They were saying, big party tonight you coming bro? These are key phrases to remember when backpacking. They tend to party pretty hard in Australia so be ready.
Here’s another you might hear – My mate came home from the pub pissed as a fart. You get the gist of it!
Confused as to what is happening? What’s the John Dory?… What on earth is going on? This phrase is commonly heard in the outback. it’s quite funny!
If ever you hear “Flat out like a lizard drinking“? This means that this person is extremely busy!
Now that you’re warmed up and fairly proficient in Aussie slang, test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
Let me know how you did in the comments below!
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