Aussie slang words and phrases

Say what? Your guide to Aussie slang.

When you arrive in Australia, don't be surprised if you can't understand everything Australians say. It's not you, it's us!

We love to use 'slang,' which is words or phrases that are relatively informal and tend only to be used by locals. You'll rarely find slang words and phrases in any dictionary and even if English is your first language, you may still be thrown off balance by the way Aussies (Australians) talk.

So, we've deciphered a few words of everyday slang and useful terms in order to help you understand Aussie lingo!

  • Aboriginal = the Indigenous/First Nations people of Australia who are the traditional owners of the land.
  • Aggro = Describes someone or something aggressive
  • Air con = Air conditioning/conditioner
  • Arvo = Afternoon
  • Banger = Sausage
  • Barby/Barbie Grill or barbecue grill
  • Bathers = Swimming suit
  • Bikkie = Biscuit/cookie
  • Bloke = Man/friend/guy
  • Boardies = Board shorts, worn by surfers
  • Bonnet = Front end of a car
  • Boot = Trunk of a car
  • Bottle-o = Liquor store
  • Brekkie = Breakfast; Also spelled brekky or breaky
  • Brolly = Umbrella
  • Bush = Forest/Outback
  • B.Y.O. = Bring your own (usually alcohol or drinks)
  • Chemist = Pharmacy/ drug store
  • Chewie = Chewing gum
  • Chook = Chicken
  • Chrissy = Christmas
  • Chuck a sickie = Call in sick to work for a day off when you're not actually sick
  • Cordial = Flavoured syrup that you add water to, similar to Kool-Aid
  • Cozzie = Swimming suit
  • Cracker = Great e.g. "What a cracker of a day."
  • Crook = Ill or sick
  • Cuppa = A hot beverage, usually tea or coffee
  • Dear = Expensive
  • Defo = Short for definitely
  • Docket = Receipt/bill
  • Doona = Duvet/quilt
  • Dunny = Toilet
  • Esky = Ice cooler (portable cooler to keep food and/or drinks cold)
  • Exy = Expensive
  • Fair dinkum = True or genuine
  • Flanno = Flannelette shirt
  • Flat out = Busy
  • Flat mate = Roommate/housemate
  • Footpath = Sidewalk
  • Footy = Football, often Australian Rules Football or Rugby League depending on region. Not soccer.
  • Fussed = Bothered
  • G'day= Abbreviation of good day (used as a greeting, like hello)
  • Gas = LPG or Liquid Petroleum Gas (used for the barbie!). Not petrol.
  • Good on ya = Great job or well done.
  • Granny flat = A separate living accommodation, usually attached to the home or in a separate building in the back of the home.
  • Hard yakka = Hard work
  • Heaps = A lot
  • "How ya going?" = "How are you doing?"
  • Joey = A baby kangaroo. You may see a kangaroo on campus at Charles Sturt!
  • Jumper = A cardigan/sweater
  • Kindy = Kindergarten
  • Kip = Nap
  • Kiwi = Someone from New Zealand
  • Light globe = Light bulb
  • Lippie = Lipstick
  • Loo = Toilet
  • Maccas = McDonald's
  • Mash = Mashed potatoes
  • Mate = Friend
  • Mate's rates = Discounted price for a friend
  • Mozzies = Mosquitoes
  • "No dramas"/"No worries" = Generally it means "don't worry about it" or "no problem"
  • Petrol = Fuel /gasoline
  • PJs= pyjamas
  • Pom = Used referring to English people.
  • Postie = Postal worker, Someone who delivers mail
  • Power point = Electrical outlet
  • Pram = Stroller
  • Prezzy/Pressie = A gift or a present
  • Reckon = Figure; think; assume.  "I reckon you're right about that"
  • Rego = Vehicle registration
  • Rellie/Rello = A relative
  • Reno = Short for renovation
  • Rubbish = Garbage
  • Rug up = Bundle up to keep warm when it's cold outside.
  • Sanger = Sandwich
  • Servo = Service/gas station
  • Sheila = Woman
  • Sickie = Calling in sick to work
  • Slip, Slop, Slap = a slogan about sun protection (Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat)
  • Snag = Another word for sausage (like sanger)
  • Soft drink = Soda beverage
  • Stoked = To be excited by something
  • Sunnies = Sunglasses
  • Surfies = People who surf
  • Suss = Size-up or study something
  • Swimmers = Bathing suit
  • Ta = Thank you
  • Tap = Faucet
  • Tea = Evening meal/dinner
  • Thongs = Flip-flops/ sandals. Not a form of underwear.
  • Tip = The garbage dump
  • Torch = Flashlight
  • Trackies = Tracksuits
  • Tradie = Tradesman/woman
  • Trolley = Shopping cart
  • Uni = University
  • Ute = Pick-up truck or utility vehicle
  • Veranda = Porch or balcony
  • Whinge = Persistently and annoying complaining
  • Woolies = Woolworths (A supermarket chain)
  • Woop Woop = Made up name for a tiny town in the middle of nowhere
  • Yank = An American
  • Yewy = A U-turn