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Having grown up in Australia, I sometimes take our weird and wonderful lingo for granted. Sure, every culture develops its own unique slang; I thought I had learned Spanish until I turned up in Spain to discover that people have a 'language within a language,' countless funny and often rude idioms and phrases that they just don't teach you at school.

Australia is the same. You haven't truly experienced Australia until you've had a chat with a random bogan in a bluey, durry in hand while smashing down a tinny in his stubbies and thongs. If you're lucky, he might let you help yourself to the contents of his esky, chuck a snag or two on the barbie and discuss whether he reckons the pies have got a chance of winning the flag this year. (Pro tip: the pies are a bunch of sooks and sheilas, catters all the way mate).

Needless to say, when foreigners come into contact with all this nonsensical Australian slang, it can be a bit of a head-scratcher. The internet is providing tons of opportunities for a bit of cross-cultural education, and it's always fun trying to help the uninitiated try to decode our unique way of using English words. Need proof? Scroll down below to check out some Tumblr users who were just fair dinkum stumped by it the Aussie slang, and needed an explanation. What do ya reckon? Let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Greatest Phrase In The English Language

Greatest Phrase In The English Language

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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, have you seen the size of a huntsman? That thing will f**k YOU!

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In order to help you with the short intro above, here are a few funny words to say:

Bogan: An uncouth or unsophisticated person regarded as being of low social status, similar to your American redneck, but used in a slightly more good-natured way.

"Check out that fella with the mullet. What a bogan!"

#2

Melting Thongs

Melting Thongs

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Durry: A cigarette, usually of the Winny Gold or PJ 30s variety. But never menthols. That shit'll give you cancer.

Tinny: A can of ice-cold beer, often a VB, Tooheys, Swan Lager or XXXX, depends on what state you're in. But never, ever a Fosters.

"Hey Macca, ya got a spare durry mate? I'm fangin' for one over here." "Yeah righto Robbo, hold me tinny and I'll grab ya one, ya bloody scab."

#3

Everything Is Chips

Everything Is Chips

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Bluey: A blue singlet, traditionally made by the brand Bonds, that you can wear to just about any occasion in the summer months. Often also referred to with a slang word 'wife-beater,' but this term has become increasingly frowned upon.

"Bloody hell Charlene, I'm down to my last 6 blueys! Grab us a pack next time you're in town will ya?"

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#5

Aussie Slang

Aussie Slang

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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fair dinkum! South Africans and Aussies share a lot of similarities, whether we like it or not. I understood that perfectly, with a bit of background knowledge and a whole lot of my own culture and slang.

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Stubbies and Thongs: Completing the bogan uniform are a pair of short, tight shorts, perfect for showing off those chicken legs and accentuating the beer gut. And no, not a G-string (G-banga), thongs are footwear that are otherwise known as flip-flops or, hilariously, 'jandals' if you're a kiwi (New Zealander).

"I've busted a plug on me thongs again, anyone got any gaffa tape?"

#6

Trakky-Dacks

Trakky-Dacks

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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many South Africans call any kind of sneaker takkies (tackys). I don't know why, it's just the way it is.

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Esky: A portable, hard-plastic cooler that comes in a variety of colours and sizes, and is most useful for chocking up with ice and beer. Also makes a great makeshift chair at the cricket or footy.

Snag: A sausage. A staple at any normal BBQ (barbie), often wrapped diagonal-wise on a single piece of white bread and smothered in tomato sauce. A few grilled onions thrown on top if you're feeling particularly gourmet. Other barbie favourites include: rissoles, which are basically burger patties with a few breadcrumbs mixed in; steak, T-bone is a favorite cut, and a bit of salad on the side. Contrary to the popularized saying 'chuck another shrimp on the barbie,' that must be happening in another part of Australia coz I never saw a shrimp at a barbie in my life.

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Pies and Catters: Collingwood and Geelong football clubs. Australian football is the national sport, one that has to be watched to be understood. It's physical, fast-paced and full of action, and the players wear basically blueys and stubbies (see above) in true bogan style. Teams fight it out each season to win the championship (flag), culminating in Grand Final Day (think superbowl) which stops the nation as two teams go toe-to-toe in front of 100,000 people at the magnificent MCG, an iconic stadium in Melbourne. The Pies (Collingwood) are a historically successful team that everyone loves to hate, kind of like the Dallas Cowboys or Manchester United of the AFL.

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#9

Confusing Aussie Slang

Confusing Aussie Slang

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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was recently taken aback to learn that we South African's apparently mispronounce litchi, according to my Aussie friend. Well, firstly I spell it litchi, instead of lychee. And we pronounce it lee-chee, whereas he pronounces it lie-chee... Who knew that I could have a massive argument about a tiny fruit?!

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Fair Dinkum: or 'fair dinks' for short (we love to shorten everything at every opportunity), this versatile phrase is used for emphasis, surprise, or confirming that something is true. I would use it most often in the same way you would say "seriously?"

"Did ya hear Jonno got busted rootin Daryl's missus?!"

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"Whaaat. Fair dinkum?"

#11

The Most Australian Sentence

The Most Australian Sentence

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Jaz Jensen
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australian here, C**t is friend Mate is someone I call when I don't remember their name.

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#12

Perfect Slang Example

Perfect Slang Example

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Silverfish_13
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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this, a beautiful slang message to his love Edit: yes, I am Australian

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#13

Australian To English Translation

Australian To English Translation

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#15

Australian Time

Australian Time

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#16

Aussie Traffic Reports

Aussie Traffic Reports

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Rosie Hamilton
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know chockers - in the UK that would be an abbreviation of chock-a-block meaning crammed full.

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Kip The Otter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from the US and say chock full. Seems we say the same word just using different endings! That's pretty cool!

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Random Panda
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can guess the rest from context, but I have no idea what bingle means. Car crash maybe?

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Nikki Ferguson
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've got a traffic accident out in Broadbeach (suburb of the Gold Coast)...tow trucks are on site but as a result there's heavy traffic congestion in that direction. Source: am an Aussie

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Elle Malkamäki
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Translation: There’s been an accident out in Broadmeadows ( one of Melbournes western suburbs) tow-trucks are on site but as a result there’s traffic jams in that direction.

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Wanda Queen
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK I'm American and I think I get that one, there's a crash on Broady (a street) and the tow trucks are there but it's still a mess over there.

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Pseudo Puppy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TRANSLATION: "There's an accident in Broady (a location - either a street, shopping mall, or suburb, depending on what city you're in. Could be slang for "Broadway" which is a well known shopping centre / shopping mall in Sydney)... tow-trucks are on site, but as a result, there's a traffic jam in that direction". ("Broadway" in Sydney, is at an intersection of 3 major roads, so if there's an accident "at Broadway" is will be jammed up in *every* direction for hours....)

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Jes Peucker
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ysee we don’t know what they mean individually, but we just know what they mean in a sentence

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Leilani Russell
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it says got a breakdown tow trucks are there but its traffic in that direction

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bakkysak09
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there was a car crash out at broafy... tow truck drivers on site but as a result there is a lot of traffic in that direction.

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Jaguarundi
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Sigalert on the 10, plenty of nogoslo , rubbernex are a problem..." Police on site on the I-10 for an accident, slow/stopped traffic, curiosity of fellow drivers is causing an issue..." Ah, American traffic reporters...

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Sage Jay
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"There's a pile-up in Broady... tow-trucks on site but as a result it's full up in that direction." -my best interpretation

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Jonny Chevalier
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

accident on Broady, two trucks on site, traffic stalled in that direction.

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Kim Conroy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a car crash in broadmeadows, tow truck on site, traffic is building/or crazy ,stay away

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ThatRandomMofo
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a crash, tow truck son-bitches flocking like parasites, just another day in Australia

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Jane Alexander
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a wreck on Broadway. tow trucks are there, but the traffic is jammed. (USA)

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Izzy S-B
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a crash out in Broady (could be multiple locations such as broadbeach)... the tow truck is at the scene but as a result it's jammed/ blocked/ busy in that direction

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JD Cassavaugh
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understood that one...but it honestly sounds really redneck, so maybe that's why.

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Jo Firth
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Translation: There's been a car accident out at Broadmeadows. Tow trucks are on site. Traffic is back-to-back in either direction. See? that's not so hard to understand.

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Pandykinz
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how he types it as "chockers" when I know it's pronounced "chaukas".

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Astrid Nineor
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of quote from a book about Glaswegian. After traffic incident somone asked someone else what happened, and the reply was 'Fellafelloffalorry' :D

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Bored Moogle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You practically need a guide to understand Australian if you're American.

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Sasy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bingle must be a state to state term, I don't think we use it here.

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Loki
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's my guess: Got a car crash out in Broady..towtrucks in site but it's crazy by there

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Nick Sady
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bingle (car accident. Not normally a serious one) out in Broadmeadows (suburb in NW Melbourne). Tow trucks are there but as a result the traffic is very bad in that direction.

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#17

Confusing Aussie Slang

Confusing Aussie Slang

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Sasy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more I read of this list, I wonder what the hell has happened in the past ten years that I have somehow missed in my own country, for a start if anyone called a blow job a Gobbie on the other side of the 90's I do not think anyone would have ever gotten one, how gross sounding. I know we say Gob for Mouth but seriously Gobbie, is this another state thing ?

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#19

Funny Aussie Slang

Funny Aussie Slang

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Sasy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

p**s up not only covers party, it can just mean going out with the intention to get drunk, so in other words any day from Thursday to Sunday night :P

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#21

Swagman

Swagman

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Sasy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand this one, other than Swagman is in Waltzing Matilda and I guess the search field took Australia and Music and dropped the Christmas.

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#22

Heaps

Heaps

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Random Panda
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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But what is a heap? Edit: I know it means many. Thought it might be something different, because this use of the word isn't exclusive to Australia (to the best of my knowledge).

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