Welcome To My Oz Slanguage Page
I hope you enjoy this 'tongue-in-cheek' look at some funny words & phrases we Aussies use.
G'day mate, how ya goin'"!
Since one day ya may be Downunder for a picnic with the rest of the mob,
one thing ya gonna have to learn real quick is how to talk proper, righto.
So, before ya find yaself up a gumtree, ya had better park
ya carcass
and have a gander at this beaut little page.
Sometime today grab a couple of ya Aussie cobbers,
it doesn't matter if they are blokes or sheilas,
and ask them to give ya the good oil
on what we're on about.
It's a piece of cake!
When ya holiday's all over and ya roll up ya swag,
pull up stakes and hit the road for home, ya mates will all wanna know
"Where did you learn to talk like Crocodile Dundee".
A
- ACT: To put on airs ( He's bungin' on an act)
- AERIAL PINGPONG: Australian Rules football
- APPLES, SHE'LL BE: Everything will be okay
- ARVO: Afternoon
- AVAGOODWEEGEND: Have a good weekend
- AUSSIE: Australia; Australian
- AUSSIE SALUTE: Brushing away flies with the hand
B
- BACK O' BEYOND: Somewhere out there in the Outback in a remote and fairly deserted place. Also back o' Bourke and beyond the black stump.
- BANANA BENDER: A nickname for someone who comes from Queensland
- BANKER: A Flooded River (Runnin' a banker)
- BARNEY: An argument
- BEAUT: Good, Great
- BELT UP: A belligerent expression meaning "Shut Up"
- BEWDY: Beautiful, wonderful. great
- BEYOND THE BLACK STUMP: See Back O' Beyond
- BICKIE,BIKKIE: Biscuit, cookie
- BILLABONG: A waterhole
- BILLY: A can in which water is boiled over a camp fire to make tea
- BITE: To borrow money ("To put the bite on")
- BITSER: A mongrel dog
- BLIND FREDDY: A person who is not one to be tricked (Even Blind Freddy could have seen that)
- BLOKE: A male person
- BLOWIE, A: A blowfly
- BLOW-IN: An unexpected visitor or newcomer
- BLUDGE: To impose on; to loaf
- BLUE: A fight; A mistake
- BOBBY DAZZLER: An admiring expression for someone who is special or for an expert at something
- BOMB: An old car
- BONZER: Excellent, Good, Wonderful
- BOSS: Employer
- BOTTLER: A first-class person
- BRUMBY: A wild horse
- BUCKLEY'S (CHANCE): A slim chance or no chance at all
- BUGGER-ALL: Nothing
- BULLDUST: A load of rubbish (a derisive term)
- BULLET: To be sacked from a job ("To be given the bullet")
- BUNDY: Bundaberg Rum
- BUNG ON: To put on a show, to create a scene
- BUNNY: A victim, or a fool
- BUNYIP: Mythological creature said to live in waterholes or billabongs
- BUSHED: Lost; also very tired
- BUSH TELEGRAPH: The local gossip network
C
- CAMP OVEN: A cast iron cooking pot with lid, used to cook stews, bread, etc. Under the ground, covered with red hot coals
- CARK IT: To die
- CARPETED: To be reprimanded or "asked to please explain"
- CENTRE: The central areas of Australia usually focuses around Alice Springs
- CHEEK, TO GIVE: Tease; be rude , ("Don't be Cheeky")
- CHIP IN: To pay one's share
- CHIPS: Fine-cut kindling wood for firemaking
- CHOOF OFF: To go or to leave
- CHOOK: A chicken , fowl
- CHUCK: To throw something
- CHUCK IN: To contribute funds for something, usually a party or alcohol
- CHUCK OUT: To throw away
- CHUCK UP: To vomit
- CLAYPAN: A wide open expanse of clay which has little or no vegetation
- CLEAR OUT: To leave; also to clean out
- CLOBBER: To hit a person; also clothes
- CLOUT: To hit; also used as a term of influence ("He has a lot of clout")
- CLUED UP: Very knowledgeable
- COAT HANGER: Sydney Harbour Bridge
- COBBERS: Mates, pals, buddies
- COCKATOO: A look-out man who keeps guard while illegal activities take place; also a native bird
- COCKY: A farmer or grazier
- COOEE: A word used in the bush as a greeting or when shouted aloud to find someone who is lost
- COOT: A man of inferior quality. Usually prefaced by an adjective ( "Silly Coot")
- CROAK: To die
- CROOK: To be ill ("Geez I feel crook")
- CROW EATER, A: A nickname for someone drom South Australia
- CUT SNAKE, AS MAD AS A: Very angry
D
- DAG, A: A funny person, nerd, goof
- DAGGY: Dirty
- DAMAGE(S): The cost ("What's the damage(s)")
- DAMPER: A small loaf made from flour, salt & water - used as a substitute for bread
- DEAD SET: Absolutely sure
- DEKKO: To look
- DIGGER: An Australian soldier
- DILL: A simpleton, fool, idiot
- DILLYBAG: A small carrybag
- DINGBAT: Someone odd, crazy
- DINGO: A native dog. Also a derogatory expression directed to a coward or sneak
- DINKIE DIE: The truth, an original
- DINKUM: True, honest. {See also FAIR DINKUM}
- DIVVY: A share of the proceeds; to get your share
- DO: A party or celebration
- DOG'S DINNER: A term meaning you look terrible ("You look like the dog's dinner")
- DOG'S DISEASE: Influenza
- DOLE: Unemployment benefits .. one who takes these benefits when he could work is called a DOLE BLUDGER
- DOONA: A quilted eiderdown with a down filling, a comforter
- DOWNUNDER: In Australia
- DRUM: Sound advice
- DUD: Something that does not work properly
- DUDS: Trousers, pants
- DUNNY: Toilet
E
- EARBASH: To talk too much. A constant talker is called an EARBASHER
- EASY: Agreeable ("I'm easy mate")
- EMU: A large flightless bird, capable of running very fast
- EXTRA GROUSE: Very good
F
- FAIR ENOUGH: An expression of approval or agreement
- FAIR GO: To be reasonable
- FART SACK: A bed
- FIZZLE: To fade away
- FLAKE: To pass out, go to sleep ("To flake out")
- FLAT STRAP: As fast as possible ("I'm goin' flat strap now")
G
- GALAH: A fool, an idiot. Also an Australian parrot
- GAME: Courageous ("He's as game as Ned Kelly")
- GANDER: A look, to peek (" Hey, take a gander at that!")
- GO: To try ("Have a go ya mug")
- GOOD NICK: In excellent condition, in good health
- GOOD OIL: The correct information
- GOOD SORT: An attractive female ("Wow, she's a good sort")
- GOOG: An egg
- GROTTY: Dirty, unattractive
- GROUSE: Good, great
- GULF: The country around the Gulf of Carpentaria
- GULLY: A small valley
- GUMTREE, UP A: To be lost, confused or bushed
- GUTZER: A fall, fail ("He came a gutzer")
H
- HAD IT: Finished
- HARD CASE: A tough person, a survivor
- HARD YAKKA: Hard work
- HAYBURNER: A useless horse
- HIDE: Impudence or cheek ("You've got a hide!")
- HIT THE SACK: Go to bed
- HOLD YOUR HORSES: Slow down, not so fast
- HOP INTO: To make short work of a task
- HOT TO TROT: Ready to go
- HUMDINGER: Excellent ("It's a humdinger")
- HUMPY: A small shack
- HUNGRY: To be mean or selfish
I
- IN SMOKE: To hide or disappear ("He's gone up in smoke")
- IN THE BAG: As good as done
- IRON: A stirrup
J
- JACKASS, LAUGHING: A kookaburra
- JACKED OFF: To be fed up, tired of
- JACK UP: To refuse to proceed
- JACKEROO: A novice on a sheep or cattle station
- JAKE, SHE'S: An expression meaning everything is fine ("She's jake, mate")
- JELLY: Gelignite
- JOB: To punch someone
- JOEY: A baby kangaroo
- JOE BLAKE: A snake (rhyming slang)
- JONAH: A bringer of bad luck
K
- KELPIE: An Australian sheepdog, usually black and tan or red
- KICK THE BUCKET: To die
- KIP: To sleep
- KNACKERED: Tired
- KNOCK OFF: To finish work. Also means to steal
L
- LAIR: A male who dresses outlandishly and behaves in a boorish manner
- LARRIKIN: Street tough or hoodlum
- LINE UP: To make an approach ("I've lined up a new bloke")
- LOAF: To do nothing ("He just loafs around")
- LOG: A person lacking in brains
- LOUSY: Mean
- LUCKY COUNTRY: Australia
- LURK: A racket, a dodge, or an illegal scheme
M
- MALLEE BULL: A big strong bull from Victoria's Mallee country
- MANGY: Mean
- MIX IT: To have a fist fight
- MOB: A large number of persons or things
- MOLLY DOOKERS: Left-handed people
- MOONLIGHT FLIT: To depart at night from premises without paying the rent
- MORAL: A sure thing, a certainty
- MUG: A gullible fool
N
- NARK: A spoilsport
- NEVER NEVER: The bush, the outback
- NICE LINE: A good looking girl
- NIPPER: A male child
- NO HOPER: A useless person
- NO SWEAT: No trouble at all
- NUGGETY: Compact in build or size
O
- OFF SIDER: A partner or companion
- OLD MAN: An adult male kangaroo; a slang name for a husband
- ON ABOUT: What do you Mean ("What are you on about?")
- OODLES: Plenty, lots
- OUT TO IT: Asleep or unconscious
- OVERLANDER: A stockman who herds stock over long distances
- OVER THE FENCE: Too much, unreasonable, unfair
P
- PACK,TO GO TO THE: To collapse or go downhill
- PADDOCK: Any fenced area, irrespective of size used for crops or stock
- PANNIKIN: An enamel/metal cup
- PARK THE CARCASS: To sit down
- PEANUT: An idiot
- PERFORM: To lose one's temper or to carry on ("Don't perform!!")
- PERK: A special privilege or an 'extra'
- PICNIC: A good time
- PIECE OF CAKE: Anything that is achieved easily
- POSSIE: A place or position
- POSSUM PAD: A bush track or seldom-used road
- PRANG: An accident ("He had a prang in his car")
- PULL UP STAKES: To depart, leave
Q
- QUACK: A doctor
- QUART POT: A tin pot for boiling water or for cooking
- QUID: Two dollars "NOT THE FULL QUID" means someone who is mentally defective
R
- RAFFERTY"S RULES: The absence of rules. To run things in a slipshod or irregular manner
- RATBAG: A person who acts foolishly
- RAZOO: A non-existent brass coin ("He hasn't got a brass razoo to his name")
- RED CENTRE: The area of Central Australia
- RIDGY-DIDGE: The honest truth
- RIGHTO/RIGHTIO: All right, okay
- RING IN: Someone or something that doesn't belong where it is; a fake
- RIPPER: A term of approval ("That's a real ripper, mate")
- ROCKING-HORSE MANURE: A term for a non-existent commodity
- ROPEABLE: Angry, irritated
- ROUSEABOUT: A handyman on a property or station
- RUNS: An attack of diarrhoea
S
- SACK: A bed. Can also mean to be dismissed from employment ("To get the sack")
- SADDLE UP: To prepare for work
- SANDGROPER: A nickname for someone from Western Australia
- SCONE: The head
- SCRUBBER: A real tough or wild character from the bush
- SHARKBAIT: A swimmer who ventures too far out to sea
- SHEILA: A girl or young woman
- SHINER: A black eye
- SHOOT THROUGH: To depart in a hurry
- SHOUT: To give someone a drink, or to buy something for someone
- SICKIE: To take a day off work, whether sick or not
- SKITE: To boast, show off. Also a description for a boaster
- SLAB,A: A carton of 24 bottles or cans of beer
- SMART ALEC: A person trying to be clever
- SMOKO: A short(!!) break from work for morning or afternoon tea
- SMOOGE: To exhibit or pretend affection for someone, usually with an ulterior motive
- SOOK: A crybaby
- SPARROWFART: Very early in the morning
- SPINE BASHER: A perpetual loafer
- SQUIZZ: To look
- STEAMED UP: Angry
- STICKYBEAK: A nosy person
- STREWTH: An exclamation of surprise
- SUNBEAM: A plate not used after completion of a meal and can be put away without being washed
- SWAG: A bedroll or roll of blankets and clothing
- SWEAT ON: To wait apprehensively for something to happen
- SWEET: Right. ("She'll be sweet mate")
T
- TALK TURKEY: Plain, straight talking
- TAIPAN: A deadly Australian snake
- TEE UP: To make arrangements
- TICK: Credit
- TINNY: A can of beer. Also a person who is unusually lucky
- TOGS: Swimming costume
- TOP END: Far northern section of the Northern Territory, usually the area around Darwin
- TROPPO: A person acting as if mentally disturbed
- TROT: A run of luck. Either good or bad
- TUCKER: Food
- TURN IT UP: A warning to stop
- TWO-UP: A gambling game in which two pennies are tossed in the air and bets are made on whether they will fall heads or tails
U
- UNBELIEVABLE: A general expression of incredulity
- UPHILL: Facing a difficult task
- URGER: A conman or trickster
W
- WAKE-UP: An alert person ("I'm a wake-up to you!")
- WALKABOUT: To travel aimlessly. To disappear for a period of time
- WALLOPED: Beaten in a fight or a game
- WET: A term used to describe the rainy season in Northern Australia
- WHACKED: Very tired
- WHACKO: An expression of approval
- WHINGE: To complain
- WHINGER: A constant complainer
- WILLY WILLY: A small dust storm which races across the country with a circular wind action like a corkscrew
- WING DING: A party
- WOG: A germ, also any small insect, grub or speck of undefined substance
- WORKS: Everything, the lot ("Give me the works, mate")
Y
- YAK: Talk. ("She sure yak's a lot!")
- YAKKA: Hard work
- YOU BEAUT: An expression of approval
Z
- ZACK: Five cents
- ZILCH: Nothing, zero
If you would like a copy of the Aussie Slanguage Book, it may be ordered from:-
S & B COMPUPRINT
18 Alice Street
Clontarf. Qld 4019. Australia
for AUS$5.00 (includes postage). Send Money with Order
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by Sandy
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