All Australian's possess the mental dexterity
to write fluently in one language (basically English with
a few Americanisms thrown in) and yet speak an entirely
different language.
Xenphobes guide to the Aussies, 1993
Today, Australian English, famous for
it's air of novelty, is something of a living museum, preserving...
eighteenth and nineteenth century regional words from Cornwall,
Wessex, the Midlands, East Anglia, Northumbria, Scotland
and Ireland.
The story of English, Robert McCrum, 1992
As native strine speakers, Australians never realised
how different English is to the American or English dialects...
Some of our phrases fascinate or bamboozle the Yanks or English
but generally the English seem more au fait with the phrases
used.
How to say hello
"G'day!" is the old Australian favourite. It means "good
day" and is only used informally. These days, however,
you are more likely to be greeted with "hi!" or"hello!" or
even the execrable"Yo!". "Good morning/afternoon/evening" is
used formally, just like it is in other English speaking
countries."Goodbye" is said much like in other
English speaking places, "bye", or more formally
goodbye/goodnight.
Aussie abbreviations
Australians tend to shorten many words. Take Australian,
for example. It takes too long to say you see, so it gets
abbreviated to Aussie, Barbeque becomes barbie (not the doll).
Football = footy (and the t turns into a d sound half the
time). Never call us consistent, because Mr Johnson will
most likely be Johnno if he is considered a good bloke. We
are also more likely to have a smoko instead of a tea break
(even if we don't smoke) whilst drinking a cuppa (coffee).
To use, just click on any letter below and it will take
you to a page chock 'o block with words and/or phrases that
begin with that letter. Some examples of usage, and an American
or British synonym (if there is one) is provided.
If you need more information, talk to an Aussie or consult The
Macquarie Dictionary.
A-C D-L M-S T-Z
A
A few tinnies short of a slab, a few sangies short
of a picnic, or a few snags short of a barbie:
not all there; can also mean slow-witted or lacking intelligence.
Americanese: a few cards short of a deck.
Aces: Great, the best. ex: she's aces!
Amber fluid: Beer.
Ankle biter: small child or toddler, tyke.
Aussie salute: waving flies away from one's
face.
Away with the pixies: In another world,
daydreaming.
B
Banana bender or bananalander: Someone from
Queensland.
Banger: a sausage.
Barrack (FOR): to cheer for in a boisterous
manner (usually a sports team). Important note: do not substitute
the word "root" for barrack as this is an epithet
for sexual intercourse. Therefore, you can imagine the conclusions
to which people might jump if you said something like, "I
root for the Tigers".
Beaut/beauty!: Expression of approval.
Beg yours?: could you please repeat that?
Berko: crazy or extremely angry. ex: "he
went berko!"
Bingle: minor car crash. Americanese: fender-bender.
Bite your bum: go away! or be quiet!
Blind: extremely drunk.
Bloke: Average fellow. Americanese:
guy
Bloody: known as the great Australian adjective.
Bludge: to live by the means of someone
else; mooch.
Bludger: one who bludges.
Bob's your uncle: everything's okay; everything's
fine.
Bogan: one who lacks fashion sense. Bogan
attire is generally, but not limited to: fleecy-lined track
suit pants or excessively tight jeans, moccasins or ugg boots,
a heavy-metal t-shirt, flannel shirt, and footy beanie with
matching scarf. You can spot a bogan at train stations, loitering
at milk bars, and in any footy crowd.
Boofhead: can mean both a foolish person
or someone with big hair.
Booze bus: This is not a ride you want
to be on! a booze bus is a police vehicle equipped with a
breath analyzer test for suspected drunk (drink) drivers. Americanese:
the b.a.t. mobile
Buckley's: no chance. commonly heard: you've
got two chances: buckley's and none.
Bugger: another of the great Australian
adjectives. has many meaning depending on the context. ex:
bugger!=damn! or bugger all=nothing. ex: "I can see
bugger all without my glasses." 'Bugger off!=go away!"
Bum: bottom, rear end.
Burl: a try. ex: "I'll give it a burl." Americanese:
whirl.
C
Cadbury's girl: one who becomes intoxicated
after a glass and a half of beer. this phrase takes meaning
from the Cadbury chocolate that touts a glass and a half
of milk in every chocolate bar.
C'arn!: abbreviation of come on. can be
heard at any Aussie sporting event.
Cadge: mooch or sponge. see bludge.
Camp as a row of tents: an expression
describing a very feminine male homosexual.
Capsicum: a bell pepper.
Car park: a parking lot.
Charge like a wounded bull: set excessively
high prices.
Cheap drunk: someone with a low tolerance
for alcohol; someone who becomes easily intoxicated; see
two pot screamer.
Chips: french fries.
Chock a block/chokkers: completely full.
Chook: a chicken.
Chuck: to throw. Also used in the context
of vomiting. ex: "Had a good chuck"
Chuck a wobbly: throw a fit.
Chunder: vomit
Cluey: intelligent, smart.
Cobber: friend.
Coldie: a beer.
Coo-ee!: way of getting someone's attention,
or a greeting.
Crap-on: to talk excessively; usually implies
embellishment.
Crisps: potato chips
Cuppa: cup of tea or coffee. |
