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Australian slang

From Wikitravel

Greetings
Time
Colours
Cursing
Eating and Drinking
People
Geography
Places

This article is a travel topic.

Australian slang is informal language used in Australia.

This guide should be viewed as an informal and fun introduction to some Australian idiosyncrasies, rather than a guide on how to communicate.

Increasing globalisation and a move away from rural living has seen Australian English adopt a lot of American terms while at the same time romanticising words commonly associated with the bush. Australians mostly view their slang as being uniquely Australian and an integral part of their culture. Judging by the amount of Australian slang books available on the shelves, it remains of interest to travellers too.

Many parts of Australian slang have their origins outside Australia, particularly in England and Ireland. Don't be surprised if many terms seem familiar. However, don't assume that similar slang expressions have the same meaning to Australians as they might in other countries. An attempt to use some Australian slang will likely be viewed as an attempt to mock, rather than as a genuine attempt to speak the local dialect. It's better to use the guide to interpret Steve Irwin's TV shows.

English speaking travellers are best advised just to speak clearly, as most Australians are used to a variety of accents. However, it can never hurt to say "G'day, How are ya goin'" to an Aussie. You can also ask for your chips to take-away, rather than fries to go.

[edit] Greetings

G'day: Hello.
How ya goin': How are you?
Not bad mate: Fine, thank you.
Cheers mate: Thank you.
No worries / No drama: You're welcome (in response to thank you)
Oi.: Excuse me (may be regarded as uncouth by some people)

You're right: That is okay (in response to sorry)
See ya later: Goodbye
Hoo roo: Goodbye
Take it easy: Goodbye

[edit] Time

Arvo: afternoon, eg "Let's meet for a schooner this arvo".

Yonks: commonly used to convey an exaggerated view of time, eg "I haven't seen you in yonks".

[edit] Colours

Bluey: Red hair. Virgin planes are red in Australia and are therefore Virgin Blue.
Ranga: Red haired

[edit] Cursing

Bugger: Damn - a common expression of disappointment, not offensive to most.
Drongo: an idiot or a fool
Bloody Bastod: very commonly used for an idiot

[edit] Eating and Drinking

Grab a feed: Get something to eat
Middy, Pot, Schooner, Handle: Various sizes of glass (usually used for beer). Definitions vary by state: refer to the table at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Australia#Sizes
Take-away: Fast food also used instead of "to go" when ordering food.
Pissed: drunk (as opposed to annoyed, though can be used to mean annoyed in context)
Scab: To scrounge off a friend, as in scab a feed.
Bludge: To be lazy, or to scab, as in bludge a feed.
Grog: alcoholic drink, likely beer.
Plonk: Cheap low-quality wine.
Goon: Plonk in a cask.

[edit] People

Mate: Anybody at all, only commonly used by males, friends - especially when you forget their name.
Aussie: Australian - pronounced Ozzy.
Youse: Plural of you - pronounced Yooz. Only used by "bogans" (see below).
Bogan: An uneducated person; (similar to the British 'chav') favoured expression outside of Sydney to describe Westies.
Westie: A person from the western suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne. (both being working-class neighbourhoods)
Brickie: Bricklayer
Sparkie: Electrician
Chippie: Carpenter
Bikie: Biker
Smackie: Smackhead, as in, a heroin addict
Ocker: A crude, uncultured Aussie.
Banana Benders: Queenslanders
Mexicans: Anyone from the next state south (not often used)

Yank: An American
Seppo: An American (pejorative)
Kiwi: A New Zealander
Pom/Pommy: An Englishman