Australian slang

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. Greetings Hey  Hello. Often combined with How ya doin' / goin' How ya goin'  How are you? How ya doin'  How are you? Not bad mate  Fine, thank you. Good  I'm well, 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) She'll be apples / It'll be right  Everything will be ok / go to plan See ya later   Goodbye Hoo roo  Goodbye Take it easy  Goodbye Have a good one  Have a good day / night / weekend / etc 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". Colours Bluey  Red hair. Virgin planes are red in Australia and are therefore Virgin Blue. Red  A name often given to Blue Cattle dogs Cursing (Note that seemingly uniquely, Australians use insults affectionately as well. It is commonplace to greet one's closest friends with the foulest combination expletives and slurs as possible, preferably creatively arranged.) Bugger Damn - a common expression of disappointment, not offensive to most. Drongo an idiot or a fool. Bloody Bastard very commonly used for an idiot. Wanker Someone who is egotistical and likes to stir trouble, a generally dislikeable person. 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. Nosebag Takeaway from a restaurant Pissed  drunk (as opposed to pissed off, which means to be annoyed) Scab  To scrounge off a friend, as in scab a feed.   To scrounge through the local rubbish tip / local council clean up piles 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. People Mate Anybody at all, only commonly used by males, friends - especially when you forget their name. Aussie  Australian - pronounced Ozzy. Relo Relative, as in member of the family. 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 Sandgropers Western Australians Mexicans Anyone from the next state south (not often used) Is used by people that live in New South Wales when referring to someone that lives in Victoria. Yank An American Seppo An American (pejorative). Abbreviated form of rhyming slang, Septic Tank = Yank. Kiwi A New Zealander Pom/Pommy An Englishman (Is an insult if used by anyone but an Aussie Dole Bludger Someone who is on the Dole (employment benefits) and not actively looking for a job. Scabber Someone who scabs Ranga Person with red hair. Derived from Orangutan. Geography The bush areas outside of major cities and towns. The outback the deserts of inland Australia Bushfire wildfire Whoop Whoop The middle of nowhere (eg: So I was stuck out whoop whoop...) It is a short 'oo' sound, like in 'pull', not long like in 'choose'. Also an actual town in the middle of the Australian bush. Beyond the black stump An imaginary point beyond which the country is considered remote or uncivilised Back of Beyond Even further than beyond the black stump. Really far. Places Servo Service Station (Gas Station) Bottle-O Bottle Shop (Liquor Store) Chemist Pharmacy (also used), Drug Store Uni University