When you move to a new country, it is very important to mix up with people there so as to build contacts and moreover, you need some friends. To make contacts with new people, one thing that is required the most is to learn about their culture, about their habits and ways and most importantly about the way they talk and use of language.
Australia also has a particular set of vocabulary and lingo which is not only interesting but also fun to learn. For example, if you want to say Barbeque (BBQ), this becomes Barbie in the Australian lingo which refers to a social gathering with friends and family along with grilled food. Take a look at other Australian slangs below.
Arvo
Afternoon
ARIA
Australian Record Industry Award – the highest honor for musicians in Australia
Bikkie
Biscuit
Bingle
A car or any other motor vehicle accident
Bloke
Refers to a guy or a man
Bluey
Bluebottle (stinging jellyfish). But at times it can also mean blue cattle dog or redheaded person
Bottle-o
Liquor shop
Budgie smugglers
Tight-fitting men’s swimming costume
BYO
‘Bring Your Own’ food or drink party or social gathering
Chewy
Chewing gum
Chook
Chicken, usually a hen
Cuppa
Cup of tea or coffee
Daks
Trousers
Esky
Large, insulated food/ drink container.
Footy
Football.
Flat out
Used to communicate that one is really very busy
G’day
Hello
Hooroo
Goodbye
Icy pole
Iced lolly, ice block, popsicle
Jaffle iron
Sandwich press machines/ sandwich grill machines
Kindy
Kindergarten- School attended by children around 5 years old
Knock
Used to criticize someone.
Lingo
Language, especially slang
Mozzies
Mosquitoes
Nipper
Young surf lifesaver
Op shop
Opportunity shop or thrift store, basically a second-hand goods store. A great option for international students to save some money.
Piker
Someone who quits or leaves early
Polly
Politician
Plonk
Cheap wine
Postie
Postman
Rego
Registration (usually used for a car)
RSL
Stands for Returned and Services League. Basically, a club used for public meets
Sanger
Sandwich
Schooner
A glass of beer.
Smoko
Cigarette or coffee break
Shout
Means “turn to pay” “turn to give treat”
Stoked
Pleased or delighted.
Servo
Service station, for basic goods, petrol and gas.
Sunnies
Sunglasses
Sook
Person who is tame, pathetic, or sorry for themselves
Thongs
Cheap rubber footwear, known as flip-flops.
Togs
Swimming costume.
Tool
Idiotic person
Tradies
Tradesmen (plumbers, electricians, etc.)
Ugg boots
Warm sheepskin boots were worn by surfers.
Ute
Utility vehicle, pick up truck.
Vinnies
Stands for Saint Vincent de Paul – one of Australia’s oldest charities.
Woop woop
Small, remote town
Wuss
Weak, cowardly or nervous person
Yewy
‘U-turn’, or 180-degree turn, usually made on the road
Yakka
Hard work
