Australian Slangs

Or: A dictionary containing descriptions of Australian Slang words for Bludger’s to help them not appear as if they are Not the Full Quid in case they go walkabout down under.

 

WELCOME!

So, you’re looking to learn a little Aussie slang, huh? Like every language that has existed since recorded time, English is filled with all kinds of slang (words or expressions that are used to describe or refer to something else) and no country or continent probably contains more dialects or slangs as part of the English language than does Australia.

Australia is filled with rich history and an incredible amalgamation of people’s over its history timeline and this has led to what could just about be described as its own language of slang words, phrases, and even sentences. While most of the people’s of Australia consider this slang second nature, visitors from the outside might find themselves UP A GUM TREE when trying to decipher what folks are saying…OOPS! Sorry…that means confused.

Before we jump into some serious Aussie slang and what it means, it might be a good idea to look at a bit of history of the great continent of Australia to get a bit of understanding of how all this colorful language came about in the first place…whattya say mate?

 

First of all…what IS slang anways?

While most of us have a general understanding of what slang words are, we thought we would include a bit of a more in depth definition here…after all, this IS a dictionary…

Slang words are words or phrases that have been adopted by a group or culture and refer to something else. In other words, slang words or phrases say something without really saying it. To be an effective slang word or phrase, it must be something that a majority of people in a particular group or culture can identify with and understand. For instance, you can’t just make up words for things and assume they are slang. Slang is usually passed down via word of mouth from generation to generation.

While there is no specific time that can be pinpointed as when slang began showing up in our language and literature, there is evidence that dates slang usage back to European manuscripts dating back to the 1500’s. The first official slang dictionary was published in 1785, Francis Grose's 'Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue'. Since then many publications have been printed, including the special Australian version you are reading right now. Let’s look at a little history of Australian slang.

 

Aussie Slang-A Brief History

So, what truly does account for the incredibly colorful language that makes up the basis for Australian words, phrases and slang? As with most cultures, the combinations of various languages form the foundation and in the case of Australia, these languages had quite some time to take shape.

Some of the earliest fossil records indicate that man’s first appearance on the island continent of Australia date back as far as 70,000 years ago. This huge window of timeline allowed many tribal cultures to appear and develop a variety of languages. At the time of the first official European settlement there in 1788, there were over 250 recognized languages being used…the result of more than 250 individual nations of Aborigines. Aborigines were Australia’s original tribal settlers and their culture still exists there to this day. As of modern day, more than 200 of the original languages are extinct, but many words, phrases, and slang terms still exists, along with approximately 50 recognized languages.

No wonder the Aussie language is so varied and colorful! Couple that history with the incredibly barren and rough wilderness and a people that are just as rugged as the land and you have the result of fun phrases that feature no other true equal in any language in existence today. Aussie slang is fun, vibrant, descriptive, and often wildly uproarious in its bawdy “no holds barred” approach to telling it like it is. So, now that you have a little background, let’s jump right in and starting listing some Aussie slang!

PLEASE READ FIRST: Before you start grabbing words to use during your next visit to “The Land Down Under”, please understand that many of the words and phrases below are based on local dialects and have been handed down from generation to generation. Their usage and meaning can vary slightly from one city or town to the next. It is important that you know exactly what you mean and what you are saying in order to avoid accidentally offending someone in conversation. Some words can have negative meanings if used incorrectly, so please, speak at your own risk and when in doubt, simply smile and offer your Aussie friend a beer!

 

A

Abattoir - A slaughterhouse for local livestock

Acid - Means the truth as in “You can always get the acid from that bloke.”

Ace or Aces - Refers to something is awesome or great

Adam’s ale - refers to the biblical first man, means water as in “I am bloody parched, need a gulp of adam’s ale.”

Aerial Pingpong - Used to reference Australian Rules Football…often as a putdown by those who are fans of Rugby

Agro - means being aggressive, upset, or angry about something

Airy fairy - to beat around the push or be vague about something as in “He was being so airy fairy about telling me about his surgery, I wish he would just get to the point!”

Akubra - A type of Australian hat with a wide brim worn to keep sun out of the eyes

Alligator pear - another name for an avocado, so named because of the skin that resembles that of an alligator

Amber Fluid - Simply but, means BEER

Ambo - A shortened reference to an Ambulance or Ambulance driver

Anchors - could refer to anything used to slow something or someone down such as the brakes of a car, horses reins, or even your own legs or feet

Ankle Biter - A term that refers to a toddler or little child

Ants pants - Used to describe someone or something that is trendy or in high fashion or someone who thinks very highly of themselves as in “With his brand new outfit he thinks he is just the ants pants”

Any tic of the clock - means something will happen very soon as in “He should be here at any tic of the clock.”

Apples (she’ll be, as in “She’ll be apples”) - Means that everything will be all right...typical usage: “Do you think this will work?” “No worries…she’ll be apples.”

Apple isle - slang for Tasmania named because the area has a booming apple industry

Argy bargy - slang for an argument

Armchair Sportsmen - Someone who studies and is very knowledgeable about sports yet doesn’t play any at all

Arse - butt or backside, slang for the word ASS

Arvo - Used to denote the latter part of the day, or afternoon

Aussie - Short for Australia or Australian

Aussie Salute - The act of brushing flies or bugs from about your face

Avago - an attempt at something, comes from HAVE A GO

Avos - A shortened word for the fruit Avocados

Awning over the toy shop - a phrase that refers to a man’s beer belly whereas the “toy shop” is the male reproductive organs

 

 

B 

 

Baccy - Short for TOBACCO

Back of Bourke - refers to something that is a long ways away

Bad case of the trots - Another way to say you have diarrhea

Bail somebody up - to physically corner someone as in a fight

Bail out - to leave a situation, often out of anger

Banana bender - refers to someone who is from Queensland, Australia

Bang on - means to hit a target right in the bullseye or used to refer to something that is accurate or “dead on” as in “Looks like he was bang on about that company going out of business.”

Banged up - refers to a woman who is pregnant

Barbie - short for barbecue, as in “Put another shrimp on the barbie.”

Barney - a disagreement or argument

Barrack - to root for or cheer for a sports team

Barra - short for the Barramundi fish

Bastard - a term of endearment between old friends “How are ya, you ‘ole bastard?”

Bathers - swimming trunks or bathing suit

Battler - refers to someone who is a hard worker but only making ends meet

Bean counter - an accountant

Beauty or Beaut - means fantastic, great

Beg yours - I beg your pardon

Belt up - a way to tell someone to shut up, usually angrily when someone has been speaking too much or too loudly

Big bikkies - a large sum of money

Big Smoke - Another word for Big City

Big note oneself - to brag about oneself, such as in “Sure, you done great, but don’t big note oneself too much or else folks’ll get tired of your company.”

Bikkie - a word for biscuit. Often used in the phrase, “it cost big bikkies” meaning it was expensive.

Billabong - Refers to a body of water, often used in surfing circles

Billy - another name for a common teapot or a can used to boil water over a fire

Billy tea - tea that is made from boiling water over an open fire or camp stove

Bingle - a fender bender or auto accident

Biscuit - a cookie

Bite ya bum - means to shut up or be quiet as in “Bite ya bum about that surprise party.”

Bities - insects that bite “Wouldn’t be bad out ‘cept for all these bities looking for blood.”

Bitzer - a wild or mongrel dog, looking for “bits of this” and “bits of that”

Bizzo - another word for business as in “Why don’t you mind your own bizzo?”

Black Stump, beyond the - refers to a place that is far away or in the middle of nowhere as in “I thought we had the right directions but before you know it, we were well beyond the black stump.”

Bloke - Generic term meaning guy or man

Bloody - interchangeable with the word VERY, as in “That movie was bloody awful!”

Bloody oath - It means that what someone is saying is the truth as in “I swear it, I give my bloody oath that it really happened!”

Blow in the bag - to take a breathalyzer test

Blowie - another word for a blow fly, a common Australian insect

Bludger - refers to a stupid or lazy person…something that has other people do things for them as in “I wish this bludger would get of his ass and get a job!”

Blue - Another word for fight as in “Looks like he and the wife had another blue.”

Blue, make a - to screw up or make a mistake as in “I apologize, I made a blue.”

Bluey - A widely used term and in Aussie slang can mean a number of things including:

Bodgy - Something that is not of quality, shoddy, as in “That outhouse he built looks a little bodgy.”

Blotto - the state of being extremely intoxicated, drunk

Bog in - To voraciously enjoy eating, to attack food with fevor.

Bog standard - Something that is simple and uncomplicated as in “That car was cheap because it came bog standard.”

Bogan - Someone who looks disheveled, takes little pride in their appearance, spends days drinking and not being productive.

Bogged - To get stuck in mud or sand as in “Uh oh fellas…our car is really bogged in.”

Bonzer - Another word for super, awesome, great

Boogie board - A small type of surfboard that one lays on to ride waves as opposed to standing on a larger surfboard.

Boomer - A word used to reference a large kangaroo

Booze bus - Another word for a policeman’s paddywagon or a bus or truck used to round up and secure drunk individuals

Boozer - Another word for a bar

Bored shitless - simply means being very bored

Bottle Shop - A beer or liquor store

Bottler - Means something is great or excellent as in “That movie last night was a bottler!”

Bottl-o - slang for a liquor store

Bowl of rice, not my - Something that is not of your interest, not your cup of tea as in “That song is just not my bowl of rice.”

Brekkie - A word meaning breakfast or the first meal of the day

Brickie - A nickname for a mason or someone who works with bricks

Brisvegas - What Aussie’s refer to when talking about the capital of Queensland, Brisbane

Brothel - describes something that is unkempt or a mess

Brumby - A horse that is wild

Buck’s night - Another name for a bachelor party, males gathering the night before the wedding

Budgie smugglers - men’s swimming trunks or bathing suit

Bull bar - Strong metal attachment to the front of a vehicle to protect it in the event of a collision with a kangaroo (also referred to as a roo bar)

Brumby - a wild Australian horse

Bugger me dead - an expression used to display intense shock or amazement

Bull dust - something that is untrue, a lie you tell someone

Bulla manka - a made up place that represents an area that is as far as you can go into the wild area of the Outback

Bunch of fives - means a punch as in “If you don’t shut your mouth I am going to hand you a bunch of fives.”

Bundy - nickname for a city in Queensland known as Bundaberg…also to refer to a brand of rum that is made there

Bush - The wild…the outback…also used when talking about anywhere that is not specifically in a city location

Bush bash - can refer to a running or vehicle race through the outback or bush

Bushman’s clock - refers to the kookaburra bird which makes a loud cackling sound at the break of dawn telling folks it is morning

Bush oyster - snot or mucus from the nose

Bush telly - a nickname for a campfire, as in “Looks like it’s dimming down…might want to throw another log on the bush telly.”

Bushie - Some who makes their home in the bush or outback

Bushman’s hanky - The act of getting rid of nasal mucus by holding one nostril and blowing through the other one

Buster - an extremely strong wind

Busy as a centipede on a hot plate - a colorful way to describe someone who is extremely busy

Butcher - Refers to a small glass of beer. Derived from stories about butchers taking small breaks from work, having a glass of beer, then going right back to the job.

By jingoes - an exclamation, used when someone is astounded or surprised by something

BYO - An easting establishment where you have to bring your own drink, usually alcohol

 

C

 

Cab Sav - Short for the wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Cackleberry - egg

Cactus - means dead or not working as in “Time to junk the car…it’s cactus.”

Camp oven - a large pot usually cast iron with a lid used to cook meals over a fire

Cane Toad - nickname for a person from Queensland

Cark it - means to quit working/functioning or die as in “That machine looks like it is going to cark it.”

Carpetbagger steak - a meal which consists of a piece of beef stuffed with oysters

Cat’s burying shit, as busy as - A phrase meaning extremely busy as in “Can’t talk today, I am as busy as cat’s burying shit.”

Cellotape - brand name for an adhesive tape similar to Skotch Tape

Cheerio - a friendly way to say goodbye to someone

Cheesed off - to be very annoyed

Chewie - refers to chewing gum

Chippie - a builder or carpenter

Chokkie - means chocolate

Chook - a chicken

Chrissie - the holiday Christmas

Chuck a leftie - to make a lefthand turn

Chuck a sickie - to play hooky or call in sick to work even when you are healthy

Chuck a spaz - to become angry and visibly upset and out of control

Chuck up - to throw up, vomit

Chunder - to throw up, vomit

Clanger - can mean to tell a whopper of a lie or to say something else shocking or inappropriate just to get a reaction from others

Clapped out - something that is broken or washed up

Clayton’s - used to describe something that is fake or a replacement for something else, derived from a non-alcoholic beverage or a “fake” drink

Cleanskin - A bottle of wine that does not have a label. Usually sold in bulk and retailers slap their own label on it…can ALSO mean a head of cattle that has not been branded or otherwise marked for ownership

Click - short for kilometers as in “He lives about 5 clicks from here.” (5 kilometers)

Clobber - slang for your clothes but also means to hit someone

Clod hoppers - feet

Cobber - someone who is your friend

Cockie - another word for a farmer, named after a bird with the same name because like the birds, farmers would make their homes on the edge or near water holes

Cock and bull - something that is made up, a lie as in “He sure told you a cock and bull story about where he was last night.”

Coldie - nickname for a  cold beer

Come a gutser - to have an accident or make a mistake as in “Be careful walking on that ice or you might just come a gutser.”

Compo - Money provided in a worker’s compensation incident

Conch - A studious or conscientious person. Someone who would rather improve themselves than party or goof off

Cooee - refers to a high pitched call that is used between people who are a far distance away, often out in the bush

Cop it sweet - a way to say “take your medicine like a man”, refers to someone who takes what is coming to them gracefully and doesn’t try to get back at the other person

Cook - another name for a man’s wife (not necessarily looked on kindly by the women)

Cow-tow - to acquiesce or comply to someone else’s wishes or demands

Corker - refers to something that is exceptional or great as in “That was one corker of a fish you caught!”

Cozzie - a bathing or swimming suit

Crack a fat - when a man gets an erection

Crack onto - a phrase used to describe someone who is hitting on or pursuing someone romantically

Cranky - a fairly universal term meaning angry or being in a bad mood

Crapper - a vulgar name for the toilet

Cream - often used in sports, means to defeat handily

Crikey - an expression of surprise as in “Crikey, did you see the size of that shark?”

Croc - refers to something that is fake as in “Don’t believe his story…it’s a total croc.”

Crockery - refers to someone’s teeth

Crook - something that was made very badly

Crook as Rookwood - means to be sick as Rookwood is a cemetery in the Western part of Sydney

Crow eater - used to describe a person who is from the South of Australia

Cubby house - a clubhouse or playhouse for children made from timber

Cunning as a shithouse rat - someone who is sly, sneaky, intelligent

Curly - refers to someone who is bald

Cut lunch - another way to say sandwich

Cut snake, mad as a - a phrase used to describe someone who is very angry

 

D

 

Dad ‘n Dave - another way of saying TO SHAVE

Dag - used to describe types of people such as a comical person, a nerd, or a goofy person

Daks - slang word used to describe pants or trousers as in “Uh oh, looks like you got a split in your daks!”

Damper - a simple type of bread made by combing water and flour

Dazzler - something that is above and beyond the norm, excellent, great

Dead horse - a phrase meaning tomato sauce

Dead marine - another name for an empty beer bottle

Deadset - refers to something that is true or the truth about something

Decko - a quick glance or look at something

Dero - a hobo or a homeless person, derived from the word DERELICT

Dial - your or someone else’s face

Didgeridoo - a musical instrument made by the Aborigines which makes a distinctive sound by blowing into a long wooden tube

Digger - another word for soldier

Dill - someone who is stupid, an idiot

Dimwit - someone who is not very bright

Dingo - an Australian dog that does not bark but howls-can also mean an ugly woman

Dingo’s breakfast - actually means NOT having breakfast. Often referred to as yawning, going to the bathroom, and taking a look around

Dinkum or Fair Dinkum - something that is genuine or true

Dinky di - similar to dinkum, means something that is the genuine article

Dipstick - an idiot or foolish person as in “Don’t believe a thing he says…he is a dipstick.”

Divvy van - a van that is used to transport criminals which includes a divider between the criminals and the policy

Dob - to tell or tattle on someone else

Docket - an invoice, bill, or receipt for something

Doco - a documentary

Dodgy - something that is below standard or “cheesy”

Dog - a woman who is less than attractive

Dog’s balls, stand out like a - refers to someone or something that is incredibly obvious

Dog’s eye - a type of Australian meat pie

Dole bludger - refers to a person who is receiving social welfare who doesn’t really need to; someone who is taking advantage of social assistance

Dong - to punch or hit someone

Donger - another word for penis

Donk - a boat’s or car’s engine

Doodle - again, another word for penis

Doovalacky - a term used whenever you can’t remember what something is called as in “Move that doovalacky over there.”

Down under - used when talking about either New Zealand or Australia

Drink with the flies - used to describe someone who is drinking alone

Dropped your bundle - refers to a situation that has

Dropped your guts - mean to fart as in “You just about cleared the room when you dropped your guts!”

Drongo - a simple or stupid person

Drum - specific information or a tip-off as in “If you meet me round back after 5 I’ll give you the drum.”

Duchess - another word for surfboard

Dudder - someone who cheats others, a con man

Dummy, spit the - to become very angry or enraged about something such as when a child throws a tantrum

Dunlop checque - a check that is returned from the bank, a bad check, named after Dunlop tires because a bounced check is often called a RUBBER check and Dunlop makes RUBBER tires

Dunny - bathroom, usually referring to an outhouse

Dunny rat, cunning as a - someone who is very clever or intelligent

Durry - refers to a cigarette or tobacco

Dux - to be head of the class as in “He duxed all his classes this year.”

 

E

 

Earbashing - to be talkative or nagging, ongoing chatter

Earwig - mean to eavesdrop on a conversation, can also be used to refer to the eavesdropper

Easterner - someone who is from the Eastern states of Australia, used by those from Western Australia

Easy as pushing shit uphill with a toothpick - refers to a task that is very hard to accomplish

Easy as spearing an eel with a spoon - likewise, refers to an extremely difficult tast

Eat a horse - describes someone who is extremely hungry

Egg beater - slang for a helicopter

Egg boiler - a bowler hat

Ekka - an annual exhibition in Brisbane

Elephant’s trunk - means DRUNK, as part of Australia’s rhyming slang that is commonly used in many areas

Emma chisit? - simply means “How much is it?”

Esky - another word for a cooler or large insulated food and drink container

Even stevens - refers to something that is fair or equal

Every bastard and his dog - means everyone as in “You should have been at the party last night…every bastard and his dog was there!”

Extra grouse - means good or excellent

Exy - term referring to something that is expensive as in “He must be rich looking at that exy car he’s driving.”

Eye’s on, hands off - means it is ok to look, but don’t touch

 

F

 

Face fungus - a man’s beard or facial hair

Face, off one’s - phrase meaning intoxicated or extremely drunk as in “Last night he was off his face and said some really stupid things.”

Face like a chook’s arse - means to have a bad or depressed look on one’s face…a chook is a chicken so this means to have the face of a chicken’s ass

Fag - another word for cigarette

Fair cow - describes an event or thing that is in disagreement among others

Fair crack of the whip - a way to ask for fair or reasonable treatment in a situation as in “I hope my boss gives me a fair crack of the whip concerning my vacation day request.”

Fair Dinkum - Something that is genuine, true, or fair as in “I believe the price for that car is fair dinkum.”

Fair go - to give someone a fair chance at something

Fair suck of the sav - an exclamation of amazement or wonder used to describe disbelief or be in awe of something

Fairy bower - another example of Australian rhyming slang, means A SHOWER

Fairy floss - another way to say cotton candy

fan-bloody-tastic! - an exclamation of happiness, excitement, or jubilation

Fang carpenter - a person who works on your fangs (teeth)…a dentist

Far gone - has several meanings including to be drunk, something that is way beyond fixing, or to be deeply in love with someone

Fart ass around - to do something halfway or to mess around with a project instead of completing it properly

Feed the chooks - describes the act of delivering information via a press conference or the like, usually done by politicians or political representatives (can also mean to masturbate)

Feral - another word for a hippie or someone with a really laid back lifestyle

Few cans short of a sixpack - someone lacking in intelligence

Few sandwiches short of a picnic - some who is slow, dimwitted or possibly mentally disturbed

Figjam - a term used to describe people that have an extremely high opinion of themselves or are “stuck” on themselves

Fisho - someone who loves fish, a fishmonger

Fit as a mallee bull - someone who is very physically fit, in good condition

Fizzer - describes something that did not work, a miserable failure as in “That movie was just saw was a fizzer.”

Flake - another word for shark’s flesh, a delicacy sold in fish and chip restaurants

Flake out - to pass out or collapse due to being drunk or from exhaustion

Flash as a rat with a gold tooth - someone who is dress very fancily

Flat out like a lizard drinking - extremely busy

Flick - to flip something or sell it for a profit right after you buy it

Flip your lid - to become incensed or incredibly angry over something

Floater - An Australian meat pie which features the pie floating in a bowl of either peas or gravy

Flog the cat - describes someone who is pitying themselves

Flounder spearer - someone who conducts an orchestra, so name because of the waving of their baton

Flutter - a wager for a small amount, often done over sporting events by intoxicated individuals

Fly wire - a thin mesh or gauze covering for a doorway or window

Footy - slang for Australian Rules Football

Fossick - to search or rummage around for something as in “If you would just tell me where the scissors are I wouldn’t have to fossick in all these stupid drawers!”

Fossick - to dig or search for gold

Fossicker - someone who digs for gold, a prospector

Freckle - another word for anus

Freemantle Doctor - A cooling afternoon breeze that comes from Perth, so named as it comes from the direction of Freemantle in Western Australia

Freo - short for Freemantle Australia

Front someone - means to confront someone face to face

Fruit loop - a foolish or crazy person

Full - refers to someone who is drunk

Funny as a fart in an elevator - used to describe something that is NOT funny

Furphy - a lie or false rumor

 

G

 

G’day - friendly greeting, means hello or good day

Gabba - short for Wooloongabba or the cricket ground in Brisbane

GAFA - (pronounced GAFFA)-Expression used to describe the desolate area of the Australian Outback…Great Australian F—k All

Galah - named after a loud bird called the GALAH, this word is used as an insult to describe someone who is loud or rude

Game as a piss ant - usually describes someone who is small but who is ready for anything and everything

Game as Ned Kelly - a person who is ready for anything that comes their way

Garbo - Another way to say garbage man or garbage collector

Gargle - any kind of drink as in “boy it’s hot out here, mind if I have a gargle?”

Garlic muncher - refers to a person who is from central or southern Europe, based on the amount of garlic in their regular diet

Gasbag - someone who talks incessantly and won’t be quiet

Gazunder - another name for a chamber pot to use to go to the bathroom in as it GOES UNDER the bed

Gee and Tee - also a G and T, stands for a Gin and Tonic

Geebung - someone who was born in Australia but lives in an extremely remote part

Geek - to take a look at something

Get off my back Scobie! - a way to ask someone to leave you alone, stop nagging you

Get off your bike - means to lose one’s temper as in “Now don’t get off your bike, but I put a small scratch on your car door.”

Get on your goat - means that someone is annoying or bugging you

Get the shits - describes someone who gets upset or angry and is visibly distressed

Give it a burl - to go forward with something, give it a go

Gobful, give a - to verbally abuse or talk to, usually for a good reason as in “Their music was so loud and went over to their house and gave them a gobful.”

Gobsmacked - to be astounded or surprised

Goer - as in “it’s a goer.” Means something that is progressing or moving forward such as an idea or a project etc.

Going off - used to describe a nightclub or part that is really exciting and active as in “That place was awesome, they were really going off last night!”

Gone to the dogs - used to describe something or some place that has gone downhill and is not well kept as in “My old high school has gone to the dogs in the last few years.”

Good oil - refers to something that is the truth, a good idea, or otherwise useful information

Good onya - another way to say “good for you” or “well done”

Goog, as full as a - means drunk. Goog comes from a north English slang Groggie which means Egg

Green around the gills - describes someone who is sick or nauseous as in “He looks a little green around the gills…maybe the fish he ate was bad.”

Greenie - someone who supports the environment

Grinning like a shot fox - someone who is smugly satisfied

Grizzle - a person who complains all the time

Grog - term used in place of liquor or beer as in “Bring your own grog to the party.”

Grouse - means great, very good, or terrific

Grumblebum - A term of description for an older person, often a senior citizen, who always complains about everything

Grundies - slang for underwear, comes from a television personality, Reg Grundy

Guffing off - being lazy, unproductive such as taking the day of work or school and doing very little

Gutful of piss - someone who is really drunk

 

H

 

Ha-ha pigeon - a tree dwelling bird called a Kookaburra, so nicknamed because of its distinctive laugh like call

Hair like a bush pig’s arse - describes a  wild mane of mess hair

Hair of the dog - a technique of relieving a hangover buy drinking an alcoholic drink

Half pinter - someone who is short in stature

Half your luck - to way to express that you feel another person is extremely lucky

Ham and eggs - Australian rhyming slang which means LEGS

Handle - a beer mug or glass with a handle

Happy as a bastard on Father’s Day - describes someone who is upset or unhappy

Happy as a box full of birds - describes someone who is unusually good spirits

Hardcase - a person who is stubborn or closed minded-can also be used to describe a tough or mean person such as a thug

Hard Yakka - means a job that is tough, hard work

Has a death adder in their pocket - describes someone who is very tight or miserly with their money

Has a Japanese bladder - describes someone who has to urinate frequently

Has a snout on - someone who is holding a grudge about something

Has got some paling off the fence - someone who has mental problems, is crazy

Has got white ants in the woodwork - someone who has mental problems, is crazy

Hasn’t got a bean/cracker - someone who is completely broke

Hatter - someone who lives by themselves

Have a snort - to take or have a drink of something, usually an alcoholic beverage

Have a sticky - to stick your nose or pry into someone else’s business

Haven’t got two bob to rub together - means you are broke

Head like a mini with the doors open - describes someone who has large, protruding ear

Head like a robbers dog - someone who is very ugly

Heaps - means plenty or a lot as in “He just won heaps of money in the lottery!”

Heart starter - referred to as the first alcoholic drink someone has in the day as in “I’ll be with you after I have my heart starter.”

Heave - another way to say vomit or throw up

Hen fruit - another way to say EGGS

Hit the frog and toad - something Australians say when they are ready to leave, means to hit the road as in “Thanks for the visit but I gotta hit the frog and toad.”

Hit your kick - means to open up your wallet or pay for something

Holy dooley! - an excitement exclamation…surprise as in “Holy dooley that car almost hit me!”

Hoon - a shortened term for hooligan or rowdy person

Hooroo - another way to say goodbye or see you later

Hotel - slang for a bar or pub

Hottie - slang for a hot water bottle

Howzat? - a question for clarification, often heard shouted at a judge in Cricket in order to show disapproval of a call or to get a ruling reversed

Humpy - a shoddy cheaply build house or shelter found in the bush

I

 

Iceberger - someone who swims in the sear all year round even in cold winter months

Icy pole - can refer to a lollypop or a popsicle

Idiot Box - a television set

If he bought a kangaroo, it wouldn’t hop - a phrase that means someone is unlucky

I hope your chooks turn into emus and kick your dunny down! - means to wish someone bad luck, a well known Australian curse

In like Flynn - means to be successful or have something positive happen, often used by males when speaking of a possible sexual encounter with a woman as in “He just bought her a drink and it looks like he’s in like Flynn.”

In the cactus - a saying that means being in trouble as in “He got home late last night and was in the cactus with his wife.”

In the club - refers to a woman who is pregnant

In the nick - to be in jail

In the poo - to be in trouble such as with your boss or spouse

I wouldn’t piss on him if he were on fire - a way to express displeasure about someone else

Iron out - to knock someone unconscious as in “He is so mad he is liable to iron out his best mate.”

Irrits - means something that is irritating as in “With that incessant whistling you are giving me the irrits!”

Ivories - slang for your teeth

 

J

 

Jackaroo - a man who works on a farm (also called a station) as a farm hand or manager

Jack dancer - a way of saying cancer

Jake - a slang that means OK or ALLRIGHT such as “Don’t worry, everything’s jake.”

Jaked - means broken as in “We could take my car if it wasn’t jaked.”

Jaffle - a sandwich made with toasted bread

Jam Jars - a nickname for glasses that have extremely thick lenses

Jarrah jerker - a timber worker from Western Australia

Jigged - means broken or run down

Jillaroo - a female employee of a farm (also called a station)

Jimmy dancer - Australian rhyming slang that means CANCER

Jimmy Woodser - someone who drinks alone

Joe Blake - another way to say a snake as in “Looks like you got a joe blake near your leg.”

Joe Blogs - means an average citizen similar to saying JOHN DOE in the US

Joey - a term for a baby kangaroo

Johnny cake - a type of bread often made in the bush whereas the bread is cooked in the hot ashes of a campfire

Journo - slang for a journalist

Jug - an electric kettle used for heating water to make tea

Jumbuck - slang for sheep

 

K

 

Kaffufle-a disagreement or argument about something

Kelpie-a type of Australian sheepdog that was originally bred from a Scottish Collie dog

Keen as mustard-to be excited or enthusiastic about someone or something

Kick a goal-means to have sex with someone (taking from another slang TO SCORE)

Kick the tin-means to contribute cash to a charity or political campaign

Kiddiewink-a young child

Kindy-slang for kindergarten

King brown-a large beer bottle that is 750ml or larger

Kip-similar to a catnap, means a short rest or nap

Kite flier-refers to someone who often passes checks that are no good

Knee high to a grasshopper-someone who is very short in stature

Knickers-means undergarments that females wear, underwear

Knock-to criticize someone or something as in “Hey, don’t knock on me till you’ve heard the whole story.”

Knock back-to refuse to do something

knocker-a critic, someone who often in disapproval

Knock off-a fake version of something else, a counterfeit

Knock off time-quitting time, time to leave work for the day

Knuckle sandwich-means to punch someone in the mouth

 

 

L

 

Lady’s waste-a curved glass used for serving beer

Lair-someone (usually male) who is dressed flashy clothes and is acting outrageously or in bad taste…to dress in wild clothing…to fix up or renovate a location in poor or gawdy taste.

Lairise-to show off in front of someone, often to impress a woman

Lair it up-the act of behaving in an outrageous, vulgar, or brash way

Lady Muck-a rich woman who is snobbish, stuck up

Lady blamey-a type of beer glass that is created by utilizing the bottom half of a beer bottle

Lamingtons-a type of dessert consisting of a sponge cake that is dipped in chocolate and then sprinked with flaked coconut

Larrikin-someone who is always up to something, impish, someone who pulls harmless pranks

Laugh at the lawn-means to vomit on the grass or outside

Laughing Gear-slang for your mouth

Leckie-an electrician

Legal eagle-an attorney

Leg pull-a prank or a hoax you play on someone else

Lie Doggo-means to try to hide to get out of doing work

Like a blue arsed fly-someone who is in a frantic or frenzied way as in “The day before her wedding she was rushing about like a blue arsed fly!”

Like a lily on a dustbin-describes a lonely or neglected person as in “Ever since she left he has been like a lily on a dustbin.”

Like a one legged man at an arse kicker’s party-describes someone who is out of place or out of their element

Like a possum up a gumtree-describes someone who is in very high spirits and happy about something

Like a shag on a rock-something or someone that is noticeable or really stands out

Like a two bob watch-to behave wildly in a crazy or erratic manner

Like the clappers-something that is fast as in “I got my car fixed and now it goes like the clappers.”

Lippy-Short for lipstick as in “My lips are dry, do you have any lippy I can borrow?”

Liquid laugh-another way to say vomit or puke

Lob or Lob in-to visit or drop in on someone unexpectedly

Lollies-slang for sweets or candy

London to a brick-a saying that means you are absolutely certain about something as in “It’s London to a brick that he won’t be home in time for dinner.”

Long drink of water-refers to someone who is very tall in height

Long Paddock-During a drought, this is the area on the side of a road where water gathers and is used by grazing livestock

Longneck-refers to an amount of beer bottle that is 750 milliliters

Lucky Country-Another phrase meaning Australia

Lunch, who opened their?-A way to ask who farted

Lurk-an underground illegal scheme or racket

 

M

 

Maccas-slang for McDonald’s restaurant as in “Let’s go grab a burger at Maccas.”

Mad as a cut snake-describes someone who has lost their mind or gone crazy, could be just for a particular situation and then they return to normal

Mad as a meat axe-another way to say someone who has gone crazy or is acting irrational

Malle bull, as fit as a-Means to be extremely strong or fit. Named after an area in South Australia that is known for its fit cattle herds

Manchester-refers to one’s sheets, bedding, or linen as in “I have to hang out the Manchester to dry before we leave.”

Mappa Tassie-short for Map of Tasmania…refers to a woman’s private parts

Mate-What you call a good friend or buddy

Mate’s rate-a discount you might receive at a store or for a service…a rate you would give a friend

Matilda-a sleeping bag or bedroll

Meat Plates-your feet

Mexican-A person who is from Queensland or near the New South Wales border

Mickey Mouse-generally means something that is very good or excellent but in some parts of Australia, it could also mean something that is bad as well

Milk bar-a local restaurant that sells carry out or takeaway

Milko-slang for milkman

Mob-a group of people, not necessarily meant as a bad reference…also used to refer to a herd of kangaroo

Mongrel-someone who is less than scrupulous, a mean or vile person

Moolah-slang for money or payment

Mozzie-Australia’s famous biting mosquitos

Muddy-refers to an Australian mud crab which is a favorite food

Muster-to gather together or round up, usually sheep or cattle for purposes of branding

Mug-either a harmless insult or someone that is gullible

Mull-slang for marijuana or weed

Muster-to round up or gather something, often used when speaking about rounding up sheep or other livestock

Mystery bag-phrase used to refer to sausage as the ingredients inside are often a mystery as to what kind of meat or animal parts are contained within

 

N

 

Nacked-to be annoyed by something or someone as in “His constant talking gets me nacked.”

Narkie-Someone who gets angrily easily or is short tempered, can also means someone that is constantly negative

Nasho-refers to NATIONAL SERVICE which is Australia’s military service that is required

Naughty, to have a-means to have sex with someone as in “I haven’t seen Tom or Mary for some time…perhaps they snuck off to have a naughty.”

Neddie-mean horse

Never Never-another reference to Australia’s Outback desolate countryside

Nick, in the-means to be completely naked as in “The two of them went swimming in the nick.”

Nick off-a way to tell someone to leave, get out of here

Nipper-name for a younger lifeguard

No drama-means nothing to worry about, same as saying “no worries”

No-hoper-someone who is hopeless, someone who will never do well in life

Not the full quid-refers to someone who is not very intelligent

Nuddy, in the-without clothes, naked or nude

Nut out-a phrase used to describe negotiating something such as an agreement or contract

 

O

 

OS-means overseas as in “Won’t be seeing me for awhile…going OS.”

Ocker-an elementary or unsophisticated person

Off like a bride’s nightie-describes someone who departs or leaves a situation quickly as in “When he heard they were giving away free ice cream he was off like a bride’s nighty!”

Offsider-a right hand man, an assistant, a helper

Off your kadoova-a phrase used to describe someone who is not making sense or making irrational decisions

Off your tucker-means someone who has lost their appetite or is not eating for some reason as in “You’ve been off your tucker ever since she broke up with you.”

Old crackers-refers to senior citizens, often said about one’s in-laws

Old fella-slang for penis

Oldies-another word for your parents

On a sticky wicket-means you are in trouble for something

On the blink-refers to something that no longer works or is broken

On the bugle/nose-refers to something that smells very badly

On the murray cod-to purchase something using credit

Op shop-a slang for a thrift or secondhand store

Outback-the interior desolate area of Australia, often described as dangerous and barren

Oz-Short for Australia

 

P

 

Pash-a long romantic kiss, making out

Pav-short for Pavlova which is a type of creamy decadent dessert in Australia

Perve-to lust after someone in a sexual way

Piece of piss-refers to a task that is extremely simple or easy

Pig’s arse-means that you don’t agree with something someone has said or done

Piker-a “partypooper” or someone who doesn’t fit in with other people socially

Pint-a big glass or mug of beer

Piss-another word for beer as in “gonna sink some piss tonight!”

Plate, bring a-phrase used for get togethers or parties where everyone is asked to bring their own food

Plonk-inexpensive or cheap wine

Pokies-slang for slot machines or video poker machines

Polly-a politician or elected official

Pommy bastard-slang for an Englishman, derogatory term

Pommy shower-to use cologne or deodorant instead of showering

Porky-an untruth, a lie as in “He had to tell a big porky to get out of that one.”

Port-a travel bag, suitcase

Postie-someone who delivers packages or letters, a postman or mailman

Pozzy-short for position, as in I hope I get a good pozzy on the football team.”

Prezzy-a gift or present

 

Q

 

Quack-slang for doctor

Quandong-a person who borrows or lives off others

Quid, make a-to earn a wage, to earn a living doing something

Quid, not the full-someone who is not intelligent, someone who has a low IQ

 

R

 

Rack Off-Means to tell someone to get lost or get out of here as in “I am tired of hearing your mouth, just rack off!”

Rage-used as a verb meaning to party hard

Rage on-to party non-stop as in “We raged on for hours after you left!”

Rapt-to be satisfied, delighted, or pleased about something

Ratbag-a simple insult to someone as in “Hey, you owe me another beer you ratbag.”

Reckon-An agreeable slang that means “absolutely” or “right on!”

Reffo-term used to describe someone who is a refugee from another country

Rego-a slang for a vehicle’s registration

Rellie or relo-someone that you are related to, a relative as in “The rellie’s are coming for dinner tonight.”

Ridgy-didge-something that is real, genuine, or true as in “Is this leather wallet the ridgy-didge?”

Right, she-means that it will be all right

Right, that’d be-a phrase used to describe an unfortunate situation that is accepted as an inevitability as in “When we were playing golf, I had my best game ever until a thunderstorm made us quit.” “Yep, that’d be right.”

Rip snorter-something that is awesome, great, fantastic as in “that was one rip snorter of an event!”

Ripper-an adjective used to describe something that is positive as in “That was a ripper of a party!’

Road train-a large semi truck with several trailers in tow

Roadie-a single beer purchased to take with you

Rock up-to show up, arrive as in “We rocked up to the movie at about 9 oclock.”

Rollie-a hand rolled cigarette

Roo-short for kangaroo

Roo bar-a strong metal bar fixed to the front of vehicles used to protect the vehicle from damage in the event it collides with a kangaroo

Root-can be used as a noun or a verb but used to take place of the four letter F word as in “My car is rooted, it just won’t run” or “She’s a good root.”

Root rat-someone who is always on the prowl for sexual activity

Ropeable-means to be very angry

Rort-to illegally or otherwise fraudulently abuse a system, usually financially as in “He really rorted the finances for his own gain.”

Rotten-slang for being drunk as in “After you left, I continued to drink and got really rotten.”

Rubbish-to put someone down or criticize them

 

S

 

Salvos, the-slang for the salvation army

Sandgroper-term for a person who is from hails from Western Australia

Sanger-a word meaning sandwich as in “Can I get a sanger for lunch?”

Schooner-in Queensland, it refers to a large beer mug or glass, in Southern Australia it means a medium beer glass

Scratchy-a scratch off lottery ticket

Screamer-a term used to describe someone who has a very low tolerance for alcohol

Seppo-slang for an American

Servo-a service or gas station

Shag on a rock, stands out like a-something that is very obvious as in “That stain on his shirt stands out like a shag on a rock!”

Shark biscuit-a phrase used to describe someone who is brand new to the sport of surfing

She’ll be right-means that everything will turn out all right in the end

Sheepshagger-a put down referencing someone who is from New Zealand

Sheila-a female, a woman

Shit House-something that is of low quality, not well made, run down

Shonky-scheming, fraudulent, underhanded

Shoot through-to leave some place as in “Sorry, we’re late, gotta shoot through.”

Shout-refers to someone’s turn to buy a round of drinks as in “I got last one, it’s your shout.”

Show pony-a person who dresses or acts in a manner to draw attention to themselves, a show off

Sickie-refers to a day someone takes off from work, they say they are sick but are often just faking to get a day off

Skite-to brag about something

Skull (a beer)-to quickly down a beer in one gulp

Slab-a case of beer (24 bottles or cans)

Sleepout-a porch or patio that has been converted into a bedroom

Smoko-a coffee or cigarette break, usually from work

Snag-slang for sausage

Sook-refers to anything (person, animal) that is harmless or tame

Spewin-someone who is extremely angry as in “Don’t go near him, he is spewin about getting canned at work.”

Spiffy-means good, great

Spit the dummy-to get very upset or angry about something

Spruiker-a person who is positioned outside a nightclub or bar and tries to encourage folks to come inside

Sprung-when someone is caught doing something they shouldn’t

Spunk-someone (either male or female) who is extremely attractive

Squizz-to take a look at something as in “Take a squizz at this pic.”

Standover man-someone who is large, threatening, imposing…often a member of a gang who threatens people with physical violence in order for them to do his bidding

Station-another word for a farm or property for cattle or livestock to graze

Stickybeak-some who is nosy or always getting into other people’s business

Stoked-means to be very excited about something as in “I am stoked about the party tonight!”

Stonkered-to be at a loss for words or action, confused, perplexed

Strides-slang for pants or trousers

Stubby-refers to a beer that is 375ml in volume

Stubby holder-an holder for a beer that is insulated to keep it cold

Stuffed, I feel-a way to say that you are tired

Sunbake-to lay out in the sun to get a sun tan

Sunnies-eyewear, sunglasses

Surfies-refers to those that like to surf board, usually as regular activity

Swag-a bedroll

Swagman-someone who wanders such as a hobo or homeless person

 

T

 

Tall poppies-people that are wealthy and successful

Tall poppy syndrome-a term used to describe someone who puts down others who are more successful

Tallie-a beer that is 750ml in volume

Taswegian-a negative word describing someone who is from Tasmania

Tea-another word for dinner or supper

Technicolor yawn-slang for throw up or vomit

Tee-up-to schedule a meeting with someone as in “I’ll call you later to tee-up a time to meet.”

Thingo-refers to anything that you can’t think of the name of as in “Hand me that thingo right there.”

Thongs-a type of cheap sandal

Throw down-a little bottle of beer that can be consumed quickly

Tinny-a can of beer

Togs-a bathing or swim suit

Too right-means absolutely, for sure

Top end-used to describe the northernmost point of Australia

Trackie daks-refers to the pants of a tracksuit

Trackies-slang for a tracksuit

Troppo, gone-to have become delirious or delusional after spending too much time in tropical areas

Trough lolly-a urinal cake

Truckie-someone who drives a truck for a living

True blue-someone who is very patriotic

Tucker-any type of food

Tucker-bag-a bag full of food

Turps-a type of alcoholic drink

Turps, hit the-to go on a drinking binge

Two up-a type of game of gambling where two coins are spun at the same time

 

U

 

Ugg Boots-Australian boots made from sheepskin, often worn by surfers to keep warm once they exit the water and were also used in both world wars by air men

Ugh-refers to anything that is ugly

Under the affluence of incahol-a funny way to say someone is drunk, often said with slurring speech to represent being drunk

Under the weather-means to be drunk

Uni-an institution of higher learning, a university

Unit-a small apartment

Up a gum tree-to be in a bind or in trouble

Up oneself-to be narcissistic or have a very high opinion of oneself

Up shit creek without a paddle-an expression meaning to be in deep trouble

Up the donga-out in the wilderness

Up the duff-an expression that refers to a woman who is pregnant

Up the pole-someone who is incorrect or confused about something

Useful as an ashtray on a motorbike-something that is completely worthless, unhelpful

Useful as a flywire door on a submarine-means that something is absolutely useless

Ute-a work truck or utility vehicle

 

V

 

Vandyke-a bathroom that is outside, an outhouse

Vedgies-slang for vegetables

Vegemite-a type of paste made from vegetables that is spread on sandwich bread

Vee dub-a VW or Volkswagen vehicle

Veg out-to completely relax and watch TV or sit on the couch

Vejjo-someone who does not eat meat, a vegetarian

Verandah above the toyshop-refers to a man’s belly, paunch (toyshop being the male genitalia)

Verbal diarrhea-incessant talking or chatter

Village bike-a very promiscuous woman that everyone “rides”

Vinnie’s-refers to a chain of thrift stores and hostels, St. Vincent De Paul’s

Vino-slang for inexpensive wine

Volcanoes-refers to acne or boils on the skin

Vulture-refers to someone who double parks their car or someone who hangs around someone else closely waiting for something

 

W

 

WACA-(pronounced as WHACKER) refers to the Western Australia Cricket Association and Perth Crickets grounds

Wagging school-to skip school, play hooky

Walkabout-term originated by Aborigines, means an extended walk or adventure in the Outback with no specific duration in mind

Weekend warrior-someone who is in the army reserve

Whacker-an idiot, someone who speaks nonsense, someone you have no respect for

Whinge-to complain about someone or something

White pointers-refers to females who are sun bathing topless

Whiteant-to put down something to try to convince someone not to be it. A store might whiteant another store’s products to try to get customers to purchase from them instead

Wobbly-excited or anxious behavior

Wog-a sickness or illness such as a cold or flu

Wombat-refers to a person who eats, has sex, and then leaves

Woop Woop-a general term that refers to any small and inconsequential town

Wowser-a conservative, prude person…a party pooper

Wuss-someone who is afraid, a coward, a wimpy person

 

X

 

XXXX-pronounced 4x it is a type of Queensland made beer

Y

 

Yabber-to talk non-stop as in “On our date, all she did was yabber about her ex.”

Yabby-a type of crayfish found in Australian freshwater bodies of water

Yakka-refers to any kind of work

Yank bait-a term that was popular during World War II which referred to woman who tried to attract American soldiers

Yellow fever-used to describe a prospector, someone who is searching for gold as in “we haven’t seen him since he got yellow fever and left with a pail and a shovel to go prospecting.”

Yewy-to perform a u-turn on a roadway

Yodel-to throw up, vomit

Yobbo-a person with no manners or social skills

Yonnie-refers to a stone or rock that is flat so as to be used to skip across a body of water

You der!-a put down, means to call someone an idiot

You’d make a blowfly sick!-a putdown

Your blood’s worth bottling-a praise of someone else, usually after they have done something exceptionally well

Yowie-a mythical beast told about in Australian folk lore

 

Z

 

Zack-equal to 5 cents or sixpence in Australia

Ziff-a man’s beard

Zilch-means zero or nothing

Zonk-a foolish person

Zonked-means to be tired or completely drunk