If you’ve just arrived in Australia, you’re probably not sure what’s going on. While Australia’s main language is English, you might have found a bit of a twist – some random informal words that sound nothing like what they are.
But worry not!
We’ve compiled an alphabetical guide to Aussie slang so you have a cheat sheet for your next neighbourhood barbie (that’s our first bonus word – Meaning: barbecue).
A-Z of Aussie slang
A is for ARVO
Meaning: Afternoon
B is for BUDGIE SMUGGLERS
Meaning: Tight male cozzie*. These look like undies or beachwear, depending on whether you’re at the beach or not.
C is for *COZZIE
Meaning: Swimming costume
D is for DOOVALACKY
Meaning: When you can’t remember what something is called. Also known as whatsit, thingamajig or wiso.
E is for ESKY
Meaning: A large insulated container – you usually put food or drinks in this to keep them cool.
F is for FAIR DINKUM
Meaning: Genuine.
G is for GOBSMACKED
Meaning: Surprised, astonished.
H is for HOTTIE
Meaning: Hot water bottle.
I is for IDOT BOX
Meaning: Television.
J is for JUG
Meaning: Kettle.
K is for KINDIE
Meaning: Kindergarten, for children.
L is for LIPPY
Meaning: Either lipstick or term used to describe someone who is being cheeky (this one depends on the context).
M is for MOZZIE
Meaning: Mosquitos.
N is for NIPPER
Meaning: A child.
O is for OZ
Meaning: Australia
P is for PREZZY
Meaning: Present or gift
Q is for QUID
Meaning: Making a: earning a living “making a quid.”
R is for RIPPER
Meaning: Great, bloody fantastic.
S is for STREWTH
Meaning: Exclamation – “strewth those thongs are nice.”
T is for THONGS
Meaning: Sandals.
U is for UTE
Meaning: Utility vehicle, truck.
V is for VINNIE’S
Meaning: St Vincent De Paul’s (charity store).
W is for WUSS
Meaning: Coward, a person who scares easily.
X is for…
Meaning: (Cut us a break, finding a word for X is too much hard yakka!*)
Y is for *YAKKA
Meaning: Work.
Z is for ZINGER
Meaning: A witty remark.
Aussie Sayings
On top of those, you may hear a few of these sayings out and about:
“She’ll be right”
Meaning: It will be fine.
“Tell him he’s dreaming”
Meaning: When you’re trying to say something’s unrealistic (From the movie: The Castle).
“Buckley’s chance of that happening”
Meaning: Unlikely.
“It’s gone walkabout”
Meaning: Lost, not to be found.
We hope some of those will come in handy on your next trip down under. If you’re feeling brave, you can probably make up some words of your own. After all, who’s going to notice or care anyway?