top of page
Image by David Watkis
EWR

G'day Mate! Cracking the Code of Aussie Slang.






Ever had a chinwag with an Aussie and thought, "Are we speaking the same language?" Relax, you’re not alone. Australian slang is a wild blend of cheeky phrases that can leave even the most seasoned English speaker scratching their noggin. But don’t sweat it, mate! We're here to help you decode this quirky lingo with a laugh or two.


Basics 101


  • G'day: The ultimate Aussie greeting. It’s short for "good day" and works any time, day or night. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of greetings.

  • Mate: In Australia, everyone’s your mate. Whether you're meeting for the first time or have known each other for ages, "mate" is the go-to term.

  • Fair dinkum: Means genuine or the real deal. If it’s "fair dinkum," it’s the truth.

  • Good on ya: A thumbs-up phrase for "good for you." It can also be used to tease if you've made a blunder.

  • Arvo: Short for afternoon. Because why use four syllables when two will do?

Animal Kingdom


  • Ankle biter: A small child. Like a little puppy nipping at your heels.

  • Shark biscuit: A newbie surfer. You're bait for the sharks.

  • Mozzie: A mosquito. Even pests get cute nicknames down under.


Aussie Grub and Drinks

  • Snag: A sausage. Don’t confuse it with a fishing snag. Toss a few snags on the barbie (BBQ) and you’re golden.

  • Chook: A chicken. You might have chook for dinner or be minding the chooks on a farm.

  • Cuppa: A cup of tea or coffee.


More to Make You Smile

  • Chuck a Sickie: Taking a day off work under the guise of being sick, when you’re really just dodging the grind.

  • Chuck a U-ey: A U-turn. Example: "Oh no, I missed the turn. Let’s chuck a U-ey."

  • Dog's Breakfast: If something’s a complete mess, it’s like a dog’s breakfast. Example: "The lounge is a dog's breakfast; we need to clean up."

  • Servo: Service station. Because who has time to say “service station” when you need fuel for your ute?


Classic Aussie Phrases

  • No worries: "It’s all good" or "don’t stress." It’s the laid-back Aussie vibe in two words.

  • She'll be right: Everything will turn out fine, so why fret?

  • Tell him he's dreaming: Used to say someone’s asking for too much in a deal.

  • Put a sock in it: Tells someone to "shut up."

  • Sticky beak: Having a nosy look at something.

  • Yeah Nah: A versatile phrase that means you agree with the negative stance or follow along but don’t fully agree.


Wrap-Up

There you have it—a crash course in Aussie slang! The trick to mastering Aussie lingo? Relax, have a laugh, and don’t take it too seriously. Before you know it, you’ll be chatting like a true-blue Aussie. So, throw another snag on the barbie, crack open a cold one, and dive into the delightful absurdity of Australian slang. Cheers, cobber!


Comentários


bottom of page