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84 Australian Slang Words To Help You Finally Get What Your Aussie Friends Are Talking About
Ah, Australia — the land of marine reserves and vegemite, where people use “barbie” to refer to “barbecue,” and everyone tries their hardest to make words as short and fun as possible. But Australian slang doesn’t stop here. If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the country (or have one of your friends from Down Under visit you), you’ve probably noticed that Australians have their own way of speaking.
Understanding Australian slang can be difficult at first, especially if you’re not a native English speaker. After all, Aussie slang reflects the country’s unique culture, history, and personality — a mix of British, Irish, and First Nations influences with a dash of the Australian humor and sarcasm that we absolutely love. The country gave birth to unique words that make it sound like everyone is talking in code, and while some of these terms are so common they’ve made their way into mainstream English (“selfie,” “no worries”), others remain exclusively Aussie-isms.
Learning Australian idioms can be tough for anyone who isn’t actually from Down Under, but have no fear — we’ve got your back! We’ve done some research and come up with an authentic Aussie slang word list so that next time someone drops “she’ll be right” or “g’day” into a conversation, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about. And if you happen to be in Oz yourself, we promise this list will come in handy when chatting with locals. Ready to learn how to speak like an Aussie?
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#1
“Banana bender”
Meaning: someone from Queensland.
OhBlahDi OhBlahDa 2 years ago
I sort of want to know the origin of this but also sort of don't...
un-izzy 2 years ago
Well Bananas are grown in Queensland, so down south called us "Banana Benders" because they reckon we put the bends in the bananas (like they grow straight and then we bend them)
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#2
“Crikey” Meaning: an expression of surprise and amazement.
#3
“Bogan” Meaning: someone who is not well-educated or well-mannered.
#4
“Dob”
Meaning: to incriminate someone for a wrongdoing.
Ace 2 years ago
A lot of these are also colloquial British English expressions, derived from early, err, settlers.
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#5
“Dunny” Meaning: an outdoor toilet.
#6
“Flat out like a lizard drinking” Meaning: as fast as possible.
#7
“The ant’s pants”
Meaning: something exceptional.
Michelle C 2 years ago
We have “the bee’s knees” and “the cat’s pajamas” here in the US to mean the same!
#8
“Dinkum” Meaning: trustworthy, authentic, genuine.
I think I’m hilarious 2 years ago
Not to be confused with Fair Dinkum, an expression of agreement
#9
“Akubra” Meaning: a type of hat worn by farmers and cattlemen.
#10
“Billabong”
Meaning: when a branch of a river forms a pool or lagoon, usually made by water flowing from the main stream following a flood.
#12
“Fair suck of the sauce bottle” Meaning: used to implore someone to be more reasonable and fair.
Mel Cathcart 2 years ago (edited)
Nope. The meaning is correct, but there are two similar expressions for this, which the above mashes together. It's 'fair suck of the sav" (short for saveloy sausage), or "fair shake of the sauce bottle". Don't ask why. We're a unique lot down here.
#13
“King-hit”
Meaning: a sudden knock-out punch.
Cynthia Fagen 2 years ago
Is this article for American readers? I had to stop and think the answer would be "sucker punch"
#14
“A dog’s breakfast” Meaning: something chaotic or not done well.
#15
“Laughing gear” Meaning: a person’s mouth.
#16
“Ocker”
Meaning: an uncultured Australian man.
Performingyak 2 years ago
Rarely used to refer to a person, that would be "bogan" If they are going to rip meanings from the net, get them right "also used as an adjective meaning characteristically Australian; uncouth, uncultured, or aggressively boorish in a stereotypically Australian manner."
#17
“Put a sock in it” Meaning: used to tell someone to shut up and stop being so loud.
Boris Long-Johnson 2 years ago
To be fair Aussies are just ex brits that aren’t quite as uncivilised as the Americans have managed to become. ;)
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Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
Originates from the early gramophones, which didn't have a volume control, so it was the only way to keep the noise down.
Michelle C 2 years ago
I grew up hearing either this or “put a cork in it” for the same purpose!
#18
“Galah” Meaning: a loud-mouthed idiot, a fool.
#20
“Dag” Meaning: a person who doesn’t have much style or character.
#22
“Emu bob”
Meaning: the act or process of picking up rubbish.
#23
“Jumbuck” Meaning: a male sheep.
un-izzy 2 years ago
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me", Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong, Up jumped the swagging and grabbed him with glee, And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag, "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"
#24
“Mozzie” Meaning: a mosquito.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Try taking vitamin B. Don't know why but it seems to make you unattractive to them. I stopped taking it for a little while and got my first mozzie bit in over a decade.
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“Rort”
Meaning: to scam someone, a fraudulent practice.
#26
“Fair go” Meaning: when you want someone to be fair and reasonable in their actions.
#27
“Do the Harry” Meaning: quickly get away from a difficult situation.
I think I’m hilarious 2 years ago
The whole Harold Holt situation was wild. The prime minister goes for a swim and disappears, and everyone promptly replaced him and named a swimming pool after him! They never found a body
#28
“Onya bike”
Meaning: “get out of here and stop bothering me.”
#29
“Gone walkabout” Meaning: when something has gone walkabout, it means it’s missing, especially because someone has taken it.
#31
“Boofhead”
Meaning: someone who is not very smart or acts foolishly.
#33
“Wowser” Meaning: a killjoy; someone who openly opposes behaviors they consider immoral and sinful, like drinking alcohol.
#34
“Ripsnorter”
Meaning: something or someone that is intense or extraordinary.
#35
“Buckley’s chance” Meaning: something unlikely to happen, no chance of it happening.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Comes from the name of a #n old department store Nunn & Buckley's if I remember correctly
#36
“Cooee” Meaning: used to get someone’s attention or give a warning.
Performingyak 2 years ago
Originally from Australia. Adopted by the first fleet from the Darug language.
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“Berley”
Meaning: a bait scattered on the water and used to attract fish.
#38
“Chook” Meaning: a chicken.
Performingyak 2 years ago
Also referring to your friend "what's up chook?" See also - anyone named "Brooke"
#39
“Fremantle doctor” Meaning: a nice sea breeze that makes it feel cooler on a hot summer day.
The Doom Song 2 years ago
Only applies to us who live in Perth. And we usually just call it the doctor
Performingyak 2 years ago
Literally only heard this last year when our inquisitive MIL came to visit and couldn't stop using the phrase 😆
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“Furphy”
Meaning: an untrue rumor or story, usually absurd and improbable.
#41
“Happy as Larry” Meaning: really happy.
Boris Long-Johnson 2 years ago
Definitely used in Scotland too (although could have come from NZ).
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Performingyak 2 years ago
If you are Aussie, that would be Larry Emdur, you just need to google videos of him to know how happy he is.
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#44
“Stubbie” Meaning: a small beer.
Captain Awesome 2 years ago
Could go a couple stubbies right now. Maybe even a long-neck
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 2 years ago
And the drink insulators that Americans call coolers are stubby holders.
#45
“Pull the wool over your eyes” Meaning: to trick someone into believing something that isn’t true.
#46
“Drongo”
Meaning: stupid, idiot.
#47
“Barbecue stopper” Meaning: a topic of public interest, especially if it’s about politics.
#48
“Bikie” Meaning: a member of a motorcycle gang.
Captain Awesome 2 years ago
As opposed to biker, which is someone who rides a motorcycle but is not gang affiliated
#49
“Bogey”
Meaning: to swim, to bathe.
un-izzy 2 years ago
Boogie board is the most common use of this I think. But they're often changed to Body Board nowadays.
Performingyak 2 years ago (edited)
That came more from looking for a catchy name rather than this extremely old word for a swim. How good are boogie boards though?!
Load More Replies... Performingyak 2 years ago
Do not use this if you visit Australia. The only bogeys I know of are the man and on rail vehicles
#52
“Firie”
Meaning: a firefighter.
#53
“Flash as a rat with a gold tooth” Meaning: someone dressed too flashy and showy, usually implies there’s something shady about them and they shouldn’t be trusted.
#54
“Grey nomad” Meaning: a retired person who travels around Australia in a camper van, caravan, or motor home.
#55
“Neenish tart”
Meaning: a sweet pastry case filled with mock cream and sometimes jam, topped with icing.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I love neenish tart, but haven't had one since I became celiac. There is a bakery about 15mins away that does them gluten free, but they have always been sold out when I've gone.
#56
“Stir the possum” Meaning: to make things more interesting, to cause excitement or controversy.
#58
“True blue”
Meaning: genuine and loyal.
#59
“Better than a ham sandwich” Meaning: when something is not particularly good or exciting but still better than nothing.
I think I’m hilarious 2 years ago
If it’s really incredible it’s “better than a beetroot salad roll”
#60
“Hit the frog and toad” Meaning: to go away or depart.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
One gets the feeling that a lot of Aussie are ex-cockney...which is highly likely for those that didn't emigrate voluntarily.
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#62
“Anzac biscuit” Meaning: a type of cookie with oats and golden syrup in it.
#63
“Barrack for” Meaning: to cheer for someone, usually by shouting words of encouragement.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I remember reading a book when I was about 12 or 13 and an American girl came to Oz and wanted to know who someone barracked for, but used the word from home which is root. To root means to have sex with someone, so the other characters were highly amused!
#65
“Billy” Meaning: a container used to boil water or cook over a fire.
#66
“Bingle” Meaning: a minor crash, a collision.
#68
“Plonk” Meaning: cheap, low-quality wine.
Ripley 2 years ago (edited)
Also known as "goon", as in "Goon of Fortune", a game to play with a bunch of mates. Remove the bags from a variety of cheap cask wines and hang the bags on the Hills hoist (revolving clothes line for hanging laundry to dry). Give the clothes line a spin. Drink from the bag nearest you when it stops. You might get dry white, you might get fruity lexia. You will get very pissed, and may fall over. 😂
#69
“Have a Captain Cook” Meaning: to take a quick look or glance at someone or something casually and without much attention.
#70
“What’s the John Dory?”
Meaning: “what’s going on?”
#71
“Bushman’s handkerchief” Meaning: when someone uses their hands instead of a tissue or handkerchief to blow their nose.
Captain Awesome 2 years ago
Bushman's oyster: recently castrated animal testicle, or snot, depending on the user and location
#72
“Shoot through like a Bondi tram” Meaning: to leave quickly or do something fast.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
How old is this slang? Bondi doesn't have trams, and hasn't for longer than I've been alive.
#73
“Hip-pocket nerve”
Meaning: an imaginary nerve that gets triggered when demands are made on one’s money.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I've never heard it with nerve mentioned, only about something hitting you in the hip pocket, which is where money would be kept.
#75
“Six of one and half a dozen of the other” Meaning: when both options are about the same and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.
#76
“Bandicoot”
Meaning: really unhappy.
#78
“Currency lad” Meaning: a person born in Australia.
#80
“Seachange” Meaning: a major lifestyle change, especially when you move from a city to a seaside town.
#82
“Full up to dolly’s wax”
Meaning: when you have eaten enough.
James Edwards 2 years ago
Today I learned what "Full up to dolly’s wax" means!
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What do you think ?
Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
Is this post made by one of those dozen people who live in "Non-America?"
Joe Publique 2 years ago
Almost 2/3 of these are outdated Scots/English slang words/phrases that were assimilated into Australian English over time.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Not sure if it is used in other countries, but a common one you will hear around sports events is is 'carn', meaning 'come on'. For example 'Carn the Hawks' in support of Hawthorn. I was looking forward to commenting more on this list, but now my mind has gone blank for any others.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I just thought of some more. Ranga, presumably comes from orangutan, is a redhead. As is Bluey, because often in the past things would be given the opposite name, like a fat person being called Skinny. I think we share that with the UK though. Bluey can also be a blue heeler. Tinnie, means either a beer can, or a metal motor boat. Postie is a postman/woman. One that is regional/old so I have not heard often is 'mufti' meaning casual clothes. 'Muck up day' is the last day of school for year 12s, not that we are encouraged to actually muck up. Some people throw eggs, often at students from other schools, but those people are bastards. Recess is called playtime in Primary School. A house-o is someone on government assistance who lives in a housing commission (there is a current name I don't remember) house/public housing. A bricklayer is a bricky, an electrician a sparky, and a general builder is a chippy. A chippy can also be used for a fish and chip shop, which British people also use.
Load More Replies... Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
Is this post made by one of those dozen people who live in "Non-America?"
Joe Publique 2 years ago
Almost 2/3 of these are outdated Scots/English slang words/phrases that were assimilated into Australian English over time.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Not sure if it is used in other countries, but a common one you will hear around sports events is is 'carn', meaning 'come on'. For example 'Carn the Hawks' in support of Hawthorn. I was looking forward to commenting more on this list, but now my mind has gone blank for any others.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I just thought of some more. Ranga, presumably comes from orangutan, is a redhead. As is Bluey, because often in the past things would be given the opposite name, like a fat person being called Skinny. I think we share that with the UK though. Bluey can also be a blue heeler. Tinnie, means either a beer can, or a metal motor boat. Postie is a postman/woman. One that is regional/old so I have not heard often is 'mufti' meaning casual clothes. 'Muck up day' is the last day of school for year 12s, not that we are encouraged to actually muck up. Some people throw eggs, often at students from other schools, but those people are bastards. Recess is called playtime in Primary School. A house-o is someone on government assistance who lives in a housing commission (there is a current name I don't remember) house/public housing. A bricklayer is a bricky, an electrician a sparky, and a general builder is a chippy. A chippy can also be used for a fish and chip shop, which British people also use.
Load More Replies...
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