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Ah, Australia — the land of marine reserves and vegemite, where people use “barbie” to refer to “barbecue,” and everyone tries their hardest to make words as short and fun as possible. But Australian slang doesn’t stop here. If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the country (or have one of your friends from Down Under visit you), you’ve probably noticed that Australians have their own way of speaking.
Understanding Australian slang can be difficult at first, especially if you’re not a native English speaker. After all, Aussie slang reflects the country’s unique culture, history, and personality — a mix of British, Irish, and First Nations influences with a dash of the Australian humor and sarcasm that we absolutely love. The country gave birth to unique words that make it sound like everyone is talking in code, and while some of these terms are so common they’ve made their way into mainstream English (“selfie,” “no worries”), others remain exclusively Aussie-isms.
Learning Australian idioms can be tough for anyone who isn’t actually from Down Under, but have no fear — we’ve got your back! We’ve done some research and come up with an authentic Aussie slang word list so that next time someone drops “she’ll be right” or “g’day” into a conversation, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about. And if you happen to be in Oz yourself, we promise this list will come in handy when chatting with locals. Ready to learn how to speak like an Aussie?
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#1
“Banana bender”
Meaning: someone from Queensland.
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#2
“Crikey”
Meaning: an expression of surprise and amazement.
#3
“Bogan”
Meaning: someone who is not well-educated or well-mannered.
#4
“Dob”
Meaning: to incriminate someone for a wrongdoing.
#6
“Flat out like a lizard drinking”
Meaning: as fast as possible.
#7
“The ant’s pants”
Meaning: something exceptional.
#9
“Akubra”
Meaning: a type of hat worn by farmers and cattlemen.
#10
“Billabong”
Meaning: when a branch of a river forms a pool or lagoon, usually made by water flowing from the main stream following a flood.
#12
“Fair suck of the sauce bottle”
Meaning: used to implore someone to be more reasonable and fair.
Mel Cathcart 2 years ago (edited)
Nope. The meaning is correct, but there are two similar expressions for this, which the above mashes together. It's 'fair suck of the sav" (short for saveloy sausage), or "fair shake of the sauce bottle". Don't ask why. We're a unique lot down here.
#15
“Laughing gear”
Meaning: a person’s mouth.
#16
“Ocker”
Meaning: an uncultured Australian man.
Performingyak 2 years ago
Rarely used to refer to a person, that would be "bogan" If they are going to rip meanings from the net, get them right "also used as an adjective meaning characteristically Australian; uncouth, uncultured, or aggressively boorish in a stereotypically Australian manner."
#17
“Put a sock in it”
Meaning: used to tell someone to shut up and stop being so loud.
#18
“Galah”
Meaning: a loud-mouthed idiot, a fool.
#22
“Emu bob”
Meaning: the act or process of picking up rubbish.
#23
“Jumbuck”
Meaning: a male sheep.
un-izzy 2 years ago
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me", Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong, Up jumped the swagging and grabbed him with glee, And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag, "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"
#25
“Rort”
Meaning: to scam someone, a fraudulent practice.
#26
“Fair go”
Meaning: when you want someone to be fair and reasonable in their actions.
#27
“Do the Harry”
Meaning: quickly get away from a difficult situation.
I think I’m hilarious 2 years ago
The whole Harold Holt situation was wild. The prime minister goes for a swim and disappears, and everyone promptly replaced him and named a swimming pool after him! They never found a body
#28
“Onya bike”
Meaning: “get out of here and stop bothering me.”
#29
“Gone walkabout”
Meaning: when something has gone walkabout, it means it’s missing, especially because someone has taken it.
What do you think ?
Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
Is this post made by one of those dozen people who live in "Non-America?"
Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
Is this post made by one of those dozen people who live in "Non-America?"
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