The Best Australian Slang Phrases The Rest of the World Should Know
One thing I’ve come across in the last year or two when talking to people from overseas, is that they all want to know our slang words.
Yes, there are the traditional swear words that everyone of every culture always want to know, but people are particularly interested in the way Australian people speak.
What you need to know about Australians is that we all speak differently, depending on what area you visit. For example someone from outback Queensland will probably use a lot more slang than say someone in Sydney. So don’t be disappointed if you get to an international airport, and we aren’t all going ‘She’ll be right mate’… Not all of us use these words! But you can sure-as-shit guarantee that most Aussie will understand the whole lot of them!!!
Because we really do shorten, or lengthen near-on every word we usually say. Rarely does anyone get called by their name for a start….
So I’ve put my thinking cap on to bring you all the traditional Australian Slang words I know personally, and a few other hilarious versions that aren’t used all the time, but deserve a place in this list.
Accadacca
The legendary band ACDC.
‘Let’s go see Accadacca and have a Macca’s Run afterwards!’. Bon Scott, an Aussie icon, chocked on his own vomit but you can visit him at Fremantle Cemetery.
‘Acting the Goat’
To behave in a silly manner.
‘Jesus mate, stop acting the goat and finish your meat pie and sauce!’
Agro
Really mad. Or a badly mad puppet on tv popular in the 1980’s on Australian television.
‘The Missus is agro cause I was home late from the pub.’
Ambo
An ambulance worker or paramedic.
‘Darren needed the Ambo after he stacked it on his bike.’
Ankle Biters
A term of endearment for children.
‘These ankle-biters are shitting me to tears!’.
‘Any Tick of the Clock’
Means ‘Any minute now’.
‘She’ll be here any tick of the clock now’.
Going Ape Shit
When someone throws a huge wobbly.
‘Did you see Sheila and Sharon going ape-shit that Darren was late with the beer?’
‘Arse About Face’
To be back to front.
‘Arse Over Tit’
Means you’ve fallen over, usually because you are drunk.
Arse Wipe
Someone you don’t like very much.
‘That fuckwit is an arse wipe.’
Arvo or ‘This arvo’
The afternoon.
‘Can’t wait until this arvo and I can watch the Dockers training at the Freo Oval’
Banana Bender
Somebody who is from Queensland.
‘Bloody banana bender can’t drive for shit.’
Banger
A sausage. Although we usually just call it a sausage…..or snag.
‘Let’s have some bangers and mash for tea.’
‘Bang Like a Dunny Door’
To really want to have sex with someone.
‘I would bang that bloke like a dunny door’
To Barrack For
To go for a particular team.
‘I barrack for the Freo Dockers.’
Bathers
See ‘Togs’, ‘Cozzies’ or ‘Swimmers”
Barby or Barbie or BBQ
A barbeque.
‘Let’s go to Sharon’s house for a barbie.’
Have a Barney
A fight or tiff.
‘Karen and Stacey were having a barney near the beach.’
Bastard
Can be both a term of endearment and an insult depending on the tone used.
“I freaking love that bastard.’ or
‘I’m going to kill that bastard!’. Also can be a ‘very rough metal file’.
Beer Gut/Belly
A large stomach on a male from drinking too much beer.
Beer O’Clock
Time for a beer. Meant to be 5pm. But seriously is any time after midday.
‘Beg Yours?’
Pardon me? What did you say?
Belly Up
Gone out of business.
Bender
To be drunk for several days.
Bible-Basher
A religious person that tries to convert you.
Big Smoke
The city.
Bikkie or Biccie
A sweet biscuit Known as a ‘cookie’ in the US.
Bingle or Dingle
A minor car accident.
Bitzer (or Mongrel)
A dog that doesn’t really have a breed, more like a combination of a lot of breeds.
Blind
To be really really drunk. ‘Gawd Janet is blind tonight – she needs to slow down!.’
Blind Freddy
Someone that states the obvious. For example: ‘Blind Freddy could see that she’d go arse up on that bar stool’.
Bloke
A man.
Bog
A shit.
Bog Roll
Toilet paper.
Bog-Standard
A ‘poverty-pack’ vehicle. Stock. The basic model.
Bloody
A word that emphasizes something. ‘That bloody idiot’. or ‘Bloody hell, will you look at that!’
Bloody Oath
Yes – for sure!
Blow-In
An uninvited guest.
‘Bob’s Your Uncle’
An expression meaning ‘Consider it done’.
Bored Shitless
To be very very bored.
Bright Spark
Someone that is very clever.
Bubbler
A public drinking fountain.
Bludger
Someone that collects payments from the government and is lazy.
Blue
Another word for a ‘tiff’ or ‘fight’.
Bluey
A person with red hair. See: Ranga
Bogan
A person that wears ugg boots and flannel, loves loud cars and rock music. Every Aussie has a bit of bogan in them – we are born with it.
Bogged
When a vehicle is stuck in sand or mud and can’t get traction.
Bonnet
The front of a car – sits on top of the engine.
Boot
The back of a car where you load your shopping into.
Booze
Alcohol
Booze Bus
The large white bus used by police to catch drunk drivers.
Bottle-o
A shop where you can purchase alcohol.
Boys in Blue
The police.
Brekkie
Breakfast
Brickie
Slang for a brick-layer.
Bris-vegas or Brizzy
Brisbane – the capital of Queensland.
Brolly
An umbrella
‘Buckley’s Chance’ (or ‘Buckley’s’)
No chance at all.
Budgie Smugglers or Dick Togs
Inappropriately small swimwear for men that shows the outline of their penis.
Bugger
Means ‘Oh crap’.
Buggered
Really really tired.
‘Bunging it on’
Someone faking it. For example: ‘He’s not really sick, he’s bunging it on’.
‘Built like a brick shithouse’
A way to describe someone that is really big or muscular.
Bull Bar
A cage-like metal fixture to the front of a vehicle to protect it from hitting kangaroos.
Bum
Your bottom.
Bum-Fluff
The first whiskers of an adolescent boy.
Bundy
Shortened term for ‘Bundaberg’, a city located in Queensland that houses the best rum distillery in the world.
‘Bun-In-The-Oven’
Means to be pregnant.
Bushman’s Hanky
The disgusting habit of blocking one’s nostril, and using force to expel snot out of the other at a fast pace.
Bush-Bash
To drive a vehicle where there are no roads.
Bush Oyster
A booger.
Bush Telegraph
Gossip that gets around fast by word of mouth.
BYO
‘Bring Your Own’ – always refers to alcohol. For example – ‘This restaurant is BYO, so fuck it, let’s go somewhere else!’.
Cab Sav
A cabernet sauvignon which is a type of wine. Usually fancy.
Cackleberry
A chook’s egg.
Cactus
See: Cark it. Dead.
Cadbury Kid
Someone that has a glass and a half and is pissed.
‘Call it a day’
Means to finish work for the day and go home.
Cark it
To die.
Carpet Muncher
A derogatory term for a lesbian.
Carrot Bag
To vomit. There are always carrots in the carrot bag, even if you have never eaten a carrot.
Carry on like a Pork Chop
To be acting out, being silly or having a tantrum.
Cat Fight
Two women fighting.
Capsicum
A large apple-shaped vegetable known as a ‘pepper’ in the US. Comes in Green, Red and Yellow.
Centrelink
The Australian Government Department that gives out welfare payments to the unemployed.
‘Charge Like a Wounded Bull’
To over-charge someone for a product or service.
Chateau-De-Cardboard (or Cardboard-eaux)
Wine from a box. Cask wine.
Chardy or ‘Cardy’
White wine.
Cheeky
Being very mischievous.
Chemist
Is a pharmacy. But all Aussies use the word ‘chemist’ and not ‘pharmacy’.
Chewie
A piece of chewing gum.
Chippy
Slang word for a carpenter.
Chockas
Means: full.
Choc-a-Block
Means totally full. ‘The shopping centre carpark was choc-a-block’
Chook
A chicken, usually pre-roasted that is served with hot chips and coleslaw.
Chrome Dome
An affectionate term for a man who is bald.
‘Chucking a U’ey’
Doing a u-turn in traffic.
Clodhoppers
Means your feet..
Coon
Is a brand of cheese popular in Australia and is by no means a racist term. Many people call cheese “Coon” as a general term.
Counter Lunch (or Countery)
A lunch that is purchased at a pub.
Cop
A single member of the police.
Crapper
The toilet.
Crikey
Crikey people! No – most Australians do not use the word crikey on a daily basis… This word was reserved for the most Aussie Australian – the late, great Steve Irwin.
Cruddy
Of poor quality.
Choccy Bikkie
A chocolate biscuit.
Chrissy
An abbreviated term for ‘Christmas’.
Chucking a Sickie
See ‘Sickie’
Chunder
Having a vomit.
Cockroach
A term of endearment for a person from New South Wales.
Cozzies
See ‘Togs’
‘Crack the Whip’
Means to ‘hurry up’.
Crook
Means you are sick or drunk too much alcohol. ‘Oh man, I got smashed last night and now I feel crook!’.
Cuppa
A cup of tea or coffee.
Dag
A funny awkward person.
Dead Horse
Slang word for ‘Tomato Sauce’.
Dead Set
Means ‘Wow, truly?’
Dear
Means expensive. For example, ‘That necklace I bought Tracey was really dear!’.
Defo
Means ‘definitely’.
Dero
An idiot. (Note: now added that it means a ‘derrelict’ or ‘homeless’ person).
Devo’d
Devastated.
Dill
An idiot.
Dinghy
See ‘Tinny’
Digger
Someone that is serving in the Defence forces.
Dipstick or Dipshit
An idiot.
Dobber
Someone that tells on someone else.
Docket
Is a receipt.
Dodgy
Means devious. See also: Shonky
Dole Bludger
Someone that is on government benefits that doesn’t bother looking for work.
‘Do the Dirty’
To either cheat on a partner or to swindle somebody.
‘Donkey’s Years’
For a really long time. ‘It’s been donkey’s years since I saw you last’.
Doona
A thick soft blanket that contains feathers or down.
Double-Plugger
A fancy type of thong (see thong).
‘Drop Your Bundle’
To cease doing your job properly and break down and cry.
Drop Your Guts
To fart.
Duchess
A piece of furniture in the bedroom usually used by women when applying makeup. Usually has a mirror and drawers.
Dunny
A slang word for toilet or loo. Most Australians use the word ‘toilet’.
Durry
A cigarette.
Ear-basher
Someone that talks and talks and talks and never shuts up.
Esky
A rectangle shaped insulated box that gets filled with ice to keep beer and soft drinks cold.
Exxy
See ‘Dear’
Garbo
Slang for a garbage collector.
G-Banger
Is a slang word for a g-string (the undies that go up your bum).
G’Day
Means ‘Good Day’ or ‘Hello’. Most of us use the traditional ‘Hello’ more than ‘G’day’… Sorry to disappoint.
Get Stuffed
Go away please. Right now.
Glad Rags
Your best clothing.
Goon
Cheap wine….usually from a cask.
Grey Nomad
An old person that travels around Australia. Usually in a caravan that they have no idea how to drive. They end up crashing it two kilometers from home.
Grouse
Means ‘That’s fantastic!’
Facey
What we call Facebook.
‘Fair Dinkum’
Australian’s rarely use this term – again – more of a ‘Steve Irwinism’. But it means ‘Yes’ – but with wonderment.
‘Fair Enough’
Okay then.
‘Fair Suck of the Sav’
Means to give someone or something a go.
Fella
Means a man. ‘Look at that funny looking fella over there!’
Feral
Like a red-neck or hillbilly. A poorly dressed, poorly educated person usually at the lower end of the socio-economic scale.
Festy
To be really gross.
Flaggan
Also known as a ‘Goon Bag’ (cask wine).
Flanno
A comfortable flannelette shirt.
Flash
Means very fancy. ‘Your house is flash!’
Flutter
To put on a small bet.
Flat Out
Flat out is working so hard you don’t have time to think. “I’m flat out like a lizard drinking”
Fosters
We don’t freaking drink Fosters here in Australia! We drink XXXX (pronounced Four-X), Tooheys or VB. We are also partial to goon. Drunk straight from the bladder – which you can use as a pillow afterwards. Cause we are practical here in Australia!
Fourby
A slang for a 4wd vehicle. For example: ‘I’m taking my fourby down on the beach.”
Franger
Slang word for a condom.
Freo
Shortened version of Fremantle, a port city in Western Australia near Perth. With the best AFL team in Australia, even though they are yet to win a final.
Fringe
The hair that hangs down on your forehead. Called ‘bangs’ in the UK/US.
Fruit Loop
A total idiot or a bit crazy. ‘Old Steve next door is a fruit loop, he blew up his engine when going to the pub last week.’
Fuck It
Means ‘Damn it all to hell’
Fuck Me Drunk or Fuck Me Dead
‘Well that is surprising!’
Furphy
A lie or a stuff up.
Gabba
A sportsground located in Brisbane used to play major cricket games.
Gas
Gas in Australia is what we put in our barbecues to make them work. It is never used as a word for fuel.
Get Rooted
See ‘Get Stuffed’
Get Stuffed
Means to ‘Piss Off’ or ‘Go away’.
Going-Off
Chucking a spack (see spack)
Good onya!
Means ‘Well done’. Can also be a sarcastic form. For example. ‘Good onya, you idiot’.
Greenie
A tree hugging hippy.
‘Green Around the Gills’
To be sick or hungover.
Grog
Means alcohol.
Grog Shop
A shop that sells alcohol. See also ‘Bottle-o’.
Grotty
To be dirty.
Hard Yakka
Means you worked really hard. Is also a well known Aussie brand for work wear and hi-vis gear.
Have a crack!
Try this!
‘Hit the Hay’
To go to bed.
‘Hit the turps’
Get drunk.
Hooroo
‘Goodbye!’
Hostie
An airline steward.
‘Hot Under the Collar’
To get angry about something.
Hubby
An affectionate term for a husband.
Hugs and Kisses
A person’s spouse, usually the wife. “Where is the hugs and kisses tonight?’
Iffy
A bit dodgy.
Jaffle
A toasted sandwich.
Jocks
Men’s underwear.
Jug
An electric kettle.
Jugs
Slang word for boobs.
Jumper
A long sleeved usually woollen pull-over worn in Winter to keep warm.
Kick the Bucket
To die. For example: ‘I won’t inherit any money until me old girl kicks the bucket.’
Knee High to a Grasshopper
A small child
Knickers
See ‘Undies’
Knock-Off
This has two meanings. One is to finished work for the day. For example: ‘I knock-off at 5pm this arv’. The other is to steal something.
Lacky Band
An elastic band women use to tie up their hair.
Legless
Someone who is very very drunk.
Loaded
Loaded has two meanings. One means you have a lot of money. The other is that you are very drunk.
Lolly Water
Lolly water is also known as soft drink or a cheap type of alcoholic beverage sometimes also known as ‘Goon’.
Loo
A toilet.
Macca’s Run
Now nearly every fellow bogan person I know (see Bogan) – has used this phrase…. and the more drunk we get, the more we use it. It means ‘A trip to a McDonald’s restaurant’.
‘Mad as a Cut Snake’
Someone that does something daring without thinking.
Main Drag
The main street of a city or town.
Manky
Really really gross.
Map of Tassie
A thatch of pubic hair on a female.
Mate
A friend
Mate’s Rates
A discount for family and friends. ‘Give me mates rates on that new sink will ya Gerald!’
Mickey Mouse
Something that is really good. “Your new car is Mickey Mouse mate!’
Mongrel
A way to describe someone that has done something wrong. ‘That mongrel stole my beer!’
Mozzies
Slang term for mosquitoes.
Muso
Someone that plays music or an instrument.
Mystery Bag
Slang word for a sausage.
Nappy
What you call a diaper in the US.
Nits
Nits are also known as lice or headlice.
Nitwit
An idiot.
No Worries
Means that everything is okay! Or ‘Yes, I’ll take care of it’. ‘Bob, can you pass me that drink?’ ‘No worries mate!’
Oi
Means ‘Hey you!’ – used to get someone’s attention. Also an Aussie tradition at any sporting event. You will hear them scream ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi’
Oldies
Your parents.
Old Bag
Means an older woman that isn’t very nice.
Old Duck
Means an older woman that isn’t your mother. For example: ‘Look at that old duck crossing the road.’
Old Man
Your father
Old Girl
Your mother.
‘On the Dole’
Means that the person is receiving benefits from the government because they are unemployed.
‘Off Your Face’
Being drunk.
‘Over the shoulder, boulder holder’
Is a slang term for a bra. Used in jest.
Paralytic
To be so drunk you can’t walk.
Pash
To French kiss someone.
Pash-rash
The red marks on a female’s chin after she has ‘pashed’ someone with stubble.
Pear-Shaped
When things go wrong.
Petrol
Fuel for cars (might be known as Gas in the United States)
Piece of Piss
‘Easy’.
Pig’s Arse
I don’t agree with you.
Piker
Someone who doesn’t show up when they should have.
Pinky
An Aussie traditional nickname for someone with red hair. See: Ranga!
Piss or ‘On the piss’
Usually a slang word for alcohol. ‘Geoff is on the piss tonight’.
Pissed
Means to be drunk.
Piss Off
Means ‘Please go away right now’.
Piss Take
When someone is making fun of you.
Piss Up
Getting together to drink with your friends.
Piss Weak
Weak as piss.
Plonk
Means alcohol.
Pineapple
A $50 note.
Pokies
Poker machines.
Pommy
A person from England.
Poo Man
Is slang for a plumber.
Postie
The person that delivers your mail.
Pot
Has two meanings. The first is a 285ml size glass to serve beer. The other is a slang word for marijuana.
Povvo
Someone that is cheap.
Power-Point
The thing you plug your cords into to get electricity out.
Prang
A minor car accident.
Pratt
See ‘Wanker’
Pub
A bar, usually with pokies and a bistro where you can drink alcohol and have a meal.
‘Put a Sock in It’
Please be quiet now.
Quid
Slang term for money.
Rack
Has a few meanings in Aussie language. First one is a cut of meat. For example, a rack of lamb. The second one is a pair of tits. ‘Look at the rack on that sheila!’.
Ralph
To vomit. ‘Janet had a Ralph in the garbage bin out back.’
Ranga
A red haired person. Also can be known as ‘Blue’ or ‘Pinky’.
Reckon
Used in a sentence ‘I reckon it is going to rain tonight’. Means ‘I think…..’
Rego
The annual subscription to the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep your vehicle on a public road.
Reno
Shortened word for ‘renovation’.
Ridgy-Didge
The real deal.
Rocket
A peppery type of salad leaf.
Rock Up
Turn up somewhere. ‘Rock up about 8pm for the party.’
Rollie
A type of cigarette that you roll yourself.
Root
Means to have sex with someone. ‘Barry went out looking for a root last night’.
Rooted
Means it’s fucked. “My car was rooted when I bogged it at the beach.’
Ropeable
Means very pissed off. ‘Dan’s Mrs was ropeable when he came home pissed last week.”
Rort or Rort the System.
A scam or a con.
Sandgroper
A term of endearment for a person from Western Australia. Most of the Dockers are Sandgropers.
Sausage Sizzle
An Australian tradition of eating a sausage on a piece of white bread with onions and sauce. Usually at the front of Bunnings.
Scone
A small unsweetened cake served with jam and cream. May be known as a ‘biscuit’ in the US. The ‘pumpkin scone’ is a particularly good version.
Scorcher
A really hot day.
Scratchie
A type of lottery ticket that has to be ‘scratched’ to find out if you have won on the spot.
Screwed
Means it’s fucked.
Sculled
‘To drink something very fast’.
Shandy
A beer with a dash of lemonade.
Shrapnel
The loose change in your pocket.
Skerrick
Hardly any.
Slab
A carton of beer
Servo
Aussie slang for a service station – or gas station.
‘She’ll Be Right Mate’
Means ‘Everything will be okay’
Shemozzle
A clusterfuck of all proportions.
Sheila
An adult female.
Shonky
A bit dodgy or devious.
Shotgun
The front passenger seat in a vehicle. ‘I want to ride shotgun’. The first person to say this sentence before hoping in the car is the one that gets to sit in the passenger seat.
Shoot Through
To skip town. Usually owing money or getting someone pregnant.
Shower in a Can
Putting on deodorant.
Skinny as a Rake
Someone that is very thin.
Smoko
Morning or afternoon tea.
Sickie or ‘Chucking a Sickie’
Means to have a day off and pretend you are sick.
Smokes
Cigarettes
Spack-Attack or just ‘Spack’
See also – ‘Chucking a spack’. Having a ‘Spack’ means that an adult is throwing a tantrum. ‘Bob had a spack-attack when he couldn’t get into the pub on Friday night’.
Sparky
Shortened form of ‘electrician’.
Sparrow’s Fart
Really really early in the morning.
Spit the Dummy (also Snap the Carrot)
Have a tantrum.
‘Sticks Out Like Dog’s Balls’
Usually, this is in relation to a city person going into the country. But generally, means something is there that usually shouldn’t be!
Sticky Beak
Someone that sticks their nose in other people’s business.
Stoked
Very very happy. “I was stoked I won a meat tray!’
Stretch
A common nickname for a tall person.
Struth
Aussie’s rarely use this term, but it means ‘Oh geez, really?’
Stroppy
Means you are cranky. ‘Mum was stroppy when I came home late.’
Stubbie
A stubbie is a small bottle of beer.
Stubbie Holder
A traditional gift for Australian fathers from their offspring. A stubbie holder is an insulated casing used to keep a beer colder for longer.
Stuffed
Really really tired from hard work.
Sunnies
Slang for sunglasses.
Take a Slash
To go for a wee.
Tap
The metal thing water comes out of. Or beer if you are at the pub.
‘Thanks Heaps’
Means ‘thank you very very much’.
The Missus
Someone’s wife.
Thongs
Thongs are those flat sandals you wear on the beach. Not a pair of undies that go up your bum. May be known in the US as flip-flops and in NZ as “jandles”.
To Have ‘Tickets on Yourself’
You think you are shit hot. You are not.
Tightarse or Tightwad
Someone that is cheap and careful with their money.
Tinny or Dinghy
A small aluminium boat to go fishing in.
Truckie
Slang term for a truck driver.
Togs
Also known as cozzies or swimmers. What you wear to the beach or the pool.
Tosser
See ‘Wanker’
Trackie Dacks
Aussism for ‘tracksuit pants’
Tradie
A tradesperson like a carpenter or plumber.
Trolley
Is a type of cart you push around the supermarket and put your groceries in.
Turps
Alcohol. ‘Janet is on the turps again.’
Twat
See ‘Wanker’
Two-Pot Screamer
Means two drinks and you’re drunk.
Undies
Also known as knickers. They are underpants.
Uni
Is slang for ‘University’.
‘Up the Duff’
Means pregnancy. Usually an unplanned pregnancy. ‘Cheryl is up-the-duff, wonder who the father is?’
‘Up Shit Creek’
In a lot of trouble.
‘Up Yours!’
Get fucked.
Ute
Short for ‘Utility’. A type of vehicle with a tray back.
Vege Out
To sit around and watch tv and relax.
Verandah
A type of porch that is connected to a house.
Wanker
Very commonly used in Australia. A total idiot or obnoxious person. ‘That fella’s a bloody wanker!’
Wedding Tackle
A penis.
Weekend Warrior
A person that is subscribed to the Army Reserves.
Whinger
Someone that complains a lot.
Winnie Blues
Not used commonly in normal Australian speak. But is means cigarettes. Winfield Blue is a brand.
Wog
A sickness. Usually a flu.
Wonky
Something this is unstable. For example: ‘This three legged table is really wonky!’
Woolies
Slang for a large supermarket chain called ‘Woolworths’.
Woop Woop
A fictional place that is out in the middle of nowhere. Or somewhere that is a really long way away.
Wuss
A coward.
Yank
A term of endearment for an American person.
Yobbo
A dope-smoking dole bludger.
Yonks
A really long period of time.
‘Your Blood is worth Bottling’
Means you mean a lot to that person. Or having very admirable qualities.
I had a blast putting this together. Do you have anything to add?
I know Aussie slang sounds weird, but it sure is fun!
from Stay at Home Mum https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/fun-stuff/the-best-australian-slang-phrases-the-rest-of-the-world-should-know/
Comments
Post a Comment