The Best Australian Slang Phrases The Rest of the World Should Know

One thing I’ve come across in the last year or two when talking to people from overseas, is that they all want to know our slang words.

Yes, there are the traditional swear words that everyone of every culture always want to know, but people are particularly interested in the way Australian people speak.

What you need to know about Australians is that we all speak differently, depending on what area you visit. For example someone from outback Queensland will probably use a lot more slang than say someone in Sydney.  So don’t be disappointed if you get to an international airport, and we aren’t all going ‘She’ll be right mate’… Not all of us use these words!  But you can sure-as-shit guarantee that most Aussie will understand the whole lot of them!!!

Because we really do shorten, or lengthen near-on every word we usually say. Rarely does anyone get called by their name for a start….

So I’ve put my thinking cap on to bring you all the traditional Australian Slang words I know personally, and a few other hilarious versions that aren’t used all the time, but deserve a place in this list.

Accadacca

The legendary band ACDC.

‘Let’s go see Accadacca and have a Macca’s Run afterwards!’. Bon Scott, an Aussie icon, chocked on his own vomit but you can visit him at Fremantle Cemetery. It’s a very Australian way to die.

‘Acting the Goat’

To behave in a silly manner.

‘Jesus mate, stop acting the goat and finish your meat pie and sauce!’

Agro

Really mad.  Or a badly mad puppet on tv popular in the 1980’s on Australian television.

‘The Missus is agro cause I was home late from the pub.’

Ambo

An ambulance worker or paramedic.

‘Darren needed the Ambo after he stacked it on his bike.’

Ankle Biters

A term of endearment for children.

‘These ankle-biters are shitting me to tears!’.

via welcomehomefamilytherapy.com

‘Any Tick of the Clock’

Means ‘Any minute now’.

‘She’ll be here any tick of the clock now’.

Going Ape Shit

When someone throws a huge wobbly.

‘Did you see Sheila and Sharon going ape-shit that Darren was late with the beer?’

‘Arse About Face’

To be back to front.

‘Arse Over Tit’

Means you’ve fallen over, usually because you are drunk.

Arse Wipe

Someone you don’t like very much.

‘That fuckwit is an arse wipe.’

Arvo or ‘This arvo’

The afternoon.

‘Can’t wait until this arvo and I can watch the Dockers training at the Freo Oval’

Banana Bender

Somebody who is from Queensland.

‘Bloody banana bender can’t drive for shit.’

Banger

A sausage.  Although we usually just call it a sausage…..or snag.

‘Let’s have some bangers and mash for tea.’

‘Bang Like a Dunny Door’

To really want to have sex with someone.

‘I would bang that bloke like a dunny door’

To Barrack For

To go for a particular team.

‘I barrack for the Freo Dockers.’

Bathers

See ‘Togs’, ‘Cozzies’ or ‘Swimmers”

Barby or Barbie or BBQ

A barbeque.

‘Let’s go to Sharon’s house for a barbie.’

Have a Barney

A fight or tiff.

‘Karen and Stacey were having a barney near the beach.’

Bastard

Can be both a term of endearment and an insult depending on the tone used.

“I freaking love that bastard.’ or

‘I’m going to kill that bastard!’.  Also can be a ‘very rough metal file’.

Beer Gut/Belly

A large stomach on a male from drinking too much beer.

Beer O’Clock

Time for a beer. Meant to be 5pm.  But seriously is any time after midday.

‘Beg Yours?’

Pardon me? What did you say?

Belly Up

Gone out of business.

Bender

To be drunk for several days.

Bible-Basher

A religious person that tries to convert you.

Big Smoke

The city.

Bikkie or Biccie

A sweet biscuit  Known as a ‘cookie’ in the US.

Bingle or Dingle

A minor car accident.

Bitzer (or Mongrel)

A dog that doesn’t really have a breed, more like a combination of a lot of breeds.

Blind

To be really really drunk.  ‘Gawd Janet is blind tonight – she needs to slow down!.’

Blind Freddy

Someone that states the obvious.  For example:  ‘Blind Freddy could see that she’d go arse up on that bar stool’.

Bloke

A man.

Bog

A shit.

Bog Roll

Toilet paper.

Bog-Standard

A ‘poverty-pack’ vehicle.  Stock. The basic model.

Bloody

A word that emphasizes something.  ‘That bloody idiot’.  or ‘Bloody hell, will you look at that!’

Bloody Oath

Yes – for sure!

Blow-In

An uninvited guest.

‘Bob’s Your Uncle’

An expression meaning ‘Consider it done’.

Bored Shitless

To be very very bored.

Bright Spark

Someone that is very clever.

Bubbler

A public drinking fountain.

Bludger

Someone that collects payments from the government and is lazy.

Blue

Another word for a ‘tiff’ or ‘fight’.

Bluey

A person with red hair.  See: Ranga

Bogan

A person that wears ugg boots and flannel, loves loud cars and rock music.  Every Aussie has a bit of bogan in them – we are born with it.

Bogged

When a vehicle is stuck in sand or mud and can’t get traction.

Bonnet

The front of a car – sits on top of the engine.

Boot

The back of a car where you load your shopping into.

Booze

Alcohol

Booze Bus

The large white bus used by police to catch drunk drivers.

Bottle-o

A shop where you can purchase alcohol.

Boys in Blue

The police.

 

Brekkie

Breakfast

Brickie

Slang for a brick-layer.

Bris-vegas or Brizzy

Brisbane – the capital of Queensland.

Brolly

An umbrella

‘Buckley’s Chance’ (or ‘Buckley’s’)

No chance at all.

Budgie Smugglers (or Dick Togs or Dick Stickers)

Inappropriately small swimwear for men that shows the outline of their penis.

 

Bugger

Means ‘Oh crap’.

Buggered

Really really tired.

‘Bunging it on’

Someone faking it. For example: ‘He’s not really sick, he’s bunging it on’.

‘Built like a brick shithouse’

A way to describe someone that is really big or muscular.

Bull Bar

A cage-like metal fixture to the front of a vehicle to protect it from hitting kangaroos.

Bum

Your bottom.

Bum-Fluff

The first whiskers of an adolescent boy.

Bundy

Shortened term for ‘Bundaberg’, a city located in Queensland that houses the best rum distillery in the world.

‘Bun-In-The-Oven’

Means to be pregnant.

Bushman’s Hanky

The disgusting habit of blocking one’s nostril, and using force to expel snot out of the other at a fast pace.

Bush-Bash

To drive a vehicle where there are no roads, usually on dirt.

Bush Oyster

A booger.

Bush Telegraph

Gossip that gets around fast by word of mouth.

BYO

‘Bring Your Own’ – always refers to alcohol.  For example – ‘This restaurant is BYO, so fuck it, let’s go somewhere else!’.

Cab Sav

A cabernet sauvignon which is a type of wine. Usually fancy.

Cackleberry

A chook’s egg.

Cactus

See: Cark it. Dead.

Cadbury Kid 

Someone that has a glass and a half and is pissed.

‘Call it a day’

Means to finish work for the day and go home.

Cark it

To die.

Carpet Muncher

A derogatory term for a lesbian.

Carrot Bag

To vomit. There are always carrots in the carrot bag, even if you have never eaten a carrot.

Carry on like a Pork Chop

To be acting out, being silly or having a tantrum.

Cat Fight

Two women fighting.

Centrelink

The Australian Government Department that gives out welfare payments to the unemployed.

‘Charge Like a Wounded Bull’

To over-charge someone for a product or service.

Chateau-De-Cardboard (or Cardboard-eaux)

Wine from a box. Cask wine.

Chardy or ‘Cardy’

White wine.

Cheeky

Being very mischievous.

Chemist

Is a pharmacy. But all Aussies use the word ‘chemist’ and not ‘pharmacy’.

Chewie

A piece of chewing gum.

Chippy

Slang word for a carpenter.

Chockas

Means: full.

Choc-a-Block

Means totally full.  ‘The shopping centre carpark was choc-a-block’

Chook

A chicken, usually pre-roasted that is served with hot chips and coleslaw.

Chrome Dome

An affectionate term for a man who is bald.

‘Chucking a U’ey’

Doing a u-turn in traffic.

Clodhoppers

Means your feet..

Counter Lunch (or Countery)

A lunch that is purchased at a pub.

Cop

A single member of the police.

Crapper

The toilet.

Crikey

Crikey people!  No – most Australians do not use the word crikey on a daily basis… This word was reserved for the most Aussie Australian – the late, great Steve Irwin.

Cruddy

Of poor quality.

Choccy Bikkie

A chocolate biscuit.

Chrissy

An abbreviated term for ‘Christmas’.

Chucking a Sickie

See ‘Sickie’

Chunder

Having a vomit.

Cockroach

A term of endearment for a person from New South Wales.

Cozzies

See ‘Togs’

‘Crack the Whip’

Means to ‘hurry up’.

Crook

Means you are sick or drunk too much alcohol.  ‘Oh man, I got smashed last night and now I feel crook!’.

Cuppa

A cup of tea or coffee.

Dag

A funny awkward person.

Dead Horse

Slang word for ‘Tomato Sauce’.

Dead Set

Means ‘Wow, truly?’

Dear

Means expensive.  For example, ‘That necklace I bought Tracey was really dear!’.

Defo

Means ‘definitely’.

Dero

An idiot. (Note: can also mean a ‘derelict’ or ‘homeless’ person).

Devo’d

Devastated.

Dill

An idiot.

Dinghy

See ‘Tinny’

Digger

Someone that is serving in the Defence forces.

Dipstick or Dipshit

An idiot.

Dobber

Someone that tells on someone else.

Docket

Is a receipt.

Dodgy

Means devious. See also: Shonky

Dole Bludger

Someone that is on government benefits that doesn’t bother looking for work.

‘Do the Dirty’

To either cheat on a partner or to swindle somebody.

‘Donkey’s Years’

For a really long time.  ‘It’s been donkey’s years since I saw you last’.

Doona

A thick soft blanket that contains feathers or down.

Double-Plugger

A fancy type of thong (see thong).

‘Drop Your Bundle’

To cease doing your job properly and break down and cry.

Drop Your Guts

To fart.

Duchess

A piece of furniture in the bedroom usually used by women when applying makeup. Usually has a mirror and drawers.

Dunny

A slang word for toilet or loo.  Most Australians use the word ‘toilet’.

Durry

A cigarette.

Ear-basher

Someone that talks and talks and talks and never shuts up.

Esky

A rectangle shaped insulated box that gets filled with ice to keep beer and soft drinks cold.

Exxy

See ‘Dear’

Garbo

Slang for a garbage collector.

G-Banger

Is a slang word for a g-string (the undies that go up your bum).

G’Day

Means ‘Good Day’ or ‘Hello’.  Most of us use the traditional ‘Hello’ more than ‘G’day’… Sorry to disappoint.

Get Stuffed

Go away please. Right now.

Glad Rags

Your best clothing.

Goon

Cheap wine….usually from a cask.

Grey Nomad

An old person that travels around Australia. Usually in a caravan that they have no idea how to drive.  They end up crashing it two kilometers from home.

Grouse

Means ‘That’s fantastic!’

Facey

What we call Facebook.

‘Fair Dinkum’

Australian’s rarely use this term – again – more of a ‘Steve Irwinism’.  But it means ‘Yes’ – but with wonderment.

‘Fair Enough’

Okay then.

‘Fair Suck of the Sav’

Means to give someone or something a go.

Fella

Means a man.  ‘Look at that funny looking fella over there!’

Feral

Like a red-neck or hillbilly.  A poorly dressed, poorly educated person usually at the lower end of the socio-economic scale.

Festy

To be really gross.

Fill Your Boots

An invitation to join in. Q: “Can I be involved?” A: “Fuck oath, fill ya boots c*nt.”

Flagon

Also known as a ‘Goon Bag’ (cask wine).

Flanno

A comfortable flannelette shirt.

Flash

Means very fancy.  ‘Your house is flash!’

Flutter

To put on a small bet.

Flat Out

Flat out is working so hard you don’t have time to think.  “I’m flat out like a lizard drinking”

Fosters

We don’t even freaking drink Fosters here in Australia!  We drink XXXX (pronounced Four-X), Tooheys or VB.  We are also partial to goon. Drunk straight from the bladder – which you can use as a pillow afterwards. Cause we are practical here in Australia!

Fourby

A slang for a 4wd vehicle.  For example: ‘I’m taking my fourby down on the beach.”

Franger

Slang word for a condom.

Freo

Shortened version of Fremantle, a port city in Western Australia near Perth. With the best AFL team in Australia, even though they are yet to win a final.

Fringe

The hair that hangs down on your forehead.  Called ‘bangs’ in the UK/US.

Frog and Toad

Rhyming slang for road.

Fruit Loop

A total idiot or a bit crazy.  ‘Old Steve next door is a fruit loop, he blew up his engine when going to the pub last week.’

Fuck It

Means ‘Damn it all to hell’

Fuck Me Drunk or Fuck Me Dead

‘Well that is surprising!’

Furphy

A lie or a stuff up.

Gabba

A sportsground located in Brisbane used to play major cricket games.

Gas

Gas in Australia is what we put in our barbecues to make them work.  It is never used as a word for fuel.

Get Rooted

See ‘Get Stuffed’

Get Stuffed

Means to ‘Piss Off’ or ‘Go away’.

Going-Off

Chucking a spack (see spack)

Good onya!

Means ‘Well done’.  Can also be a sarcastic form.  For example.  ‘Good onya, you idiot’.

Greenie

A tree hugging hippy.

‘Green Around the Gills’

To be sick or hungover.

Grog

Means alcohol.

Grog Shop

A shop that sells alcohol. See also ‘Bottle-o’.

Grotty

To be dirty.

Hard Yakka

Means you worked really hard.  Is also a well known Aussie brand for work wear and hi-vis gear.

Harold Holt

Rhyming slang for salt. See also: a missing at sea former Australian Prime Minister. I reckon he was working with the Russians.

Have a crack!

Try this!

‘Hit the Hay’

To go to bed.

‘Hit the turps’

Get drunk.

Hooroo

‘Goodbye!’

Hostie

An airline steward.

‘Hot Under the Collar’

To get angry about something.

Hubby

An affectionate term for a husband.

Hugs and Kisses

A person’s spouse, usually the wife.  “Where is the hugs and kisses tonight?’

Iffy

A bit dodgy.

Jaffle

A toasted sandwich.

Jocks

Men’s underwear.

Jug

An electric kettle.

Jugs

Slang word for boobs.

Jumper

A long sleeved usually woollen pull-over worn in Winter to keep warm.

Kick the Bucket

To die. For example: ‘I won’t inherit any money until me old girl kicks the bucket.’

Knee High to a Grasshopper

A small child

Knickers

See ‘Undies’

Knock-Off

This has two meanings.  One is to finished work for the day.  For example:  ‘I knock-off at 5pm this arv’.  The other is to steal something.

Lacky Band

An elastic band women use to tie up their hair.

Legless

Someone who is very very drunk.

Loaded

Loaded has two meanings.  One means you have a lot of money.  The other is that you are very drunk.

Lolly Water

Lolly water is also known as soft drink or a cheap type of alcoholic beverage sometimes also known as ‘Goon’.

Loo

A toilet.

Macca’s Run

Now nearly every fellow bogan person I know (see Bogan) – has used this phrase…. and the more drunk we get, the more we use it.  It means ‘A trip to a McDonald’s restaurant’.

‘Mad as a Cut Snake’

Someone that does something daring without thinking.

Main Drag

The main street of a city or town.

Manky

Really really gross.

Map of Tassie

A thatch of pubic hair on a female.

Mate

A friend

Mate’s Rates

A discount for family and friends. ‘Give me mates rates on that new sink will ya Gerald!’

Mickey Mouse

Something that is really good.  “Your new car is Mickey Mouse mate!’

Mongrel

A way to describe someone that has done something wrong.  ‘That mongrel stole my beer!’

Mozzies

Slang term for mosquitoes.

Muso

Someone that plays music or an instrument.

Mystery Bag

Slang word for a sausage.

Nappy

What you call a diaper in the US.

Nits

Nits are also known as lice or headlice.

Nitwit

An idiot.

No Worries

Means that everything is okay!  Or ‘Yes, I’ll take care of it’.  ‘Bob, can you pass me that drink?’  ‘No worries mate!’

Oi

Means ‘Hey you!’ – used to get someone’s attention.  Also an Aussie tradition at any sporting event.  You will hear them scream ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi’

Oldies

Your parents.

Old Bag

Means an older woman that isn’t very nice.

 

Old Duck

Means an older woman that isn’t your mother. For example: ‘Look at that old duck crossing the road.’

Old Man

Your father

Old Girl

Your mother.

‘On the Dole’

Means that the person is receiving benefits from the government because they are unemployed.

‘Off Your Face’

Being drunk.

‘Over the shoulder, boulder holder’

Is a slang term for a bra.  Used in jest.

Paralytic

To be so drunk you can’t walk.

Pash

To French kiss someone.

Pash-rash

The red marks on a female’s chin after she has ‘pashed’ someone with stubble.

Pear-Shaped

When things go wrong.

Petrol

Fuel for cars (might be known as Gas in the United States)

Piece of Piss

‘Easy’.

Pig’s Arse

I don’t agree with you.

Piker

Someone who doesn’t show up when they should have.

Pinky

An Aussie traditional nickname for someone with red hair.  See: Ranga!

Piss or ‘On the piss’

Usually a slang word for alcohol.  ‘Geoff is on the piss tonight’.

Pissed

Means to be drunk.

Piss Off

Means ‘Please go away right now’.

Piss Take

When someone is making fun of you.

Piss Up

Getting together to drink with your friends.

Piss Weak

Weak as piss.

Plonk

Means alcohol.

Pineapple

A $50 note.

Pokies

Poker machines.

Pommy

A person from England.

Poo Man

Is slang for a plumber.

Postie

The person that delivers your mail.

Pot

Has two meanings.  The first is a 285ml size glass to serve beer.  The other is a slang word for marijuana.

Povvo

Someone that is cheap.

Power-Point

The thing you plug your cords into to get electricity out.

Prang

A minor car accident.

Pratt

See ‘Wanker’

Pub

A bar, usually with pokies and a bistro where you can drink alcohol and have a meal.

‘Put a Sock in It’

Please be quiet now.

Quid

Slang term for money.

Rack

Has a couple of meanings in Aussie language.  First one is a cut of meat.  For example, a rack of lamb. The second one is a pair of tits.  ‘Look at the rack on that sheila!’.

Ralph

To vomit.  ‘Janet had a Ralph in the garbage bin out back.’

Ranga

A red haired person. Also can be known as ‘Blue’ or ‘Pinky’.

Reckon

Used in a sentence ‘I reckon it is going to rain tonight’.  Means ‘I think…..’

Rego

The annual subscription to the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep your vehicle on a public road.

Reno

Shortened word for ‘renovation’.

Ridgy-Didge

The real deal.

Rocket

A peppery type of salad leaf.

Rock Up

Turn up somewhere.  ‘Rock up about 8pm for the party.’

Rollie

A type of cigarette that you roll yourself.

Root

Means to have sex with someone.  ‘Barry went out looking for a root last night’.

Rooted

Means it’s fucked.  “My car was rooted when I bogged it at the beach.’

Ropeable

Means very pissed off. ‘Dan’s Mrs was ropeable when he came home pissed last week.”

Rort or Rort the System.

A scam or a con.

Sandgroper

A term of endearment for a person from Western Australia.  Most of the Dockers are Sandgropers.

Sausage Sizzle

An Australian tradition of eating a sausage on a piece of white bread with onions and sauce.  Usually at the front of Bunnings.

Scone

A small unsweetened cake served with jam and cream.  May be known as a ‘biscuit’ in the US.  The ‘pumpkin scone’ is a particularly good version.

Scorcher

A really hot day.

Scratchie

A type of lottery ticket that has to be ‘scratched’ to find out if you have won on the spot.

Screwed

Means it’s fucked.

Sculled

‘To drink something very fast’.

Shandy

A beer with a dash of lemonade.

Shrapnel

The loose change in your pocket.

Skerrick

Hardly any.

Slab

A carton of beer

Servo

Aussie slang for a service station – or gas station.

‘She’ll Be Right Mate’

Means ‘Everything will be okay’

Shemozzle

A clusterfuck of all proportions.

Sheila

An adult female.

Shonky

A bit dodgy or devious.

Shotgun

The front passenger seat in a vehicle.  ‘I want to ride shotgun’. The first person to say this sentence before hoping in the car is the one that gets to sit in the passenger seat.

Shoot Through

To skip town. Usually owing money or getting someone pregnant.

Shower in a Can

Putting on deodorant.

Skinny as a Rake

Someone that is very thin.

Smoko

Morning or afternoon tea.

Sickie or ‘Chucking a Sickie’

Means to have a day off and pretend you are sick.

Smokes

Cigarettes

Spack-Attack or just ‘Spack’

See also – ‘Chucking a spack’.  Having a ‘Spack’ means that an adult is throwing a tantrum. ‘Bob had a spack-attack when he couldn’t get into the pub on Friday night’.

Sparky

Shortened form of ‘electrician’.

Sparrow’s Fart

Really really early in the morning.

Spit the Dummy (also Snap the Carrot)

Have a tantrum.

Stacked It

To fall off a bike or fall over your feet.

‘Sticks Out Like Dog’s Balls’

Usually, this is in relation to a city person going into the country. But generally, means something is there that usually shouldn’t be!

 

Sticky Beak

Someone that sticks their nose in other people’s business.

Stoked

Very very happy.  “I was stoked I won a meat tray!’

Stretch

A common nickname for a tall person.

Struth

Aussie’s rarely use this term, but it means ‘Oh geez, really?’

Stroppy

Means you are cranky. ‘Mum was stroppy when I came home late from the AFL final.’

Stubbie

A stubbie is a small bottle of beer.

Stubbie Holder

A traditional gift for Australian fathers from their offspring.  A stubbie holder is an insulated casing used to keep a beer colder for longer.

Stuffed

Really really tired from hard work.

Sunnies

Slang for sunglasses.

Take a Slash

To go for a wee.

Tap

The metal thing water comes out of.  Or beer if you are at the pub.

‘Thanks Heaps’

Means ‘thank you very very much’.

The Missus

Someone’s wife.

Thongs

Thongs are those flat sandals you wear on the beach. Not a pair of undies that go up your bum. May be known in the US as flip-flops and in NZ as “jandles”.

To Have ‘Tickets on Yourself’

You think you are shit hot.  You are not.

Tightarse or Tightwad

Someone that is cheap and careful with their money.

Tinny or Dinghy

A small aluminium boat to go fishing in.

Truckie

Slang term for a truck driver.

Togs

Also known as cozzies or swimmers.  What you wear to the beach or the pool.

Tosser

See ‘Wanker’

Trackie Dacks

Aussism for ‘tracksuit pants’

Tradie

A tradesperson like a carpenter or plumber.

Trolley

Is a type of cart you push around the supermarket and put your groceries in.

Turps

Alcohol.  ‘Janet is on the turps again.’

Two-Pot Screamer

Means two drinks and you’re drunk.

Undies

Also known as knickers.  They are underpants.

Uni

Is slang for ‘University’.

‘Up the Duff’

Means pregnancy.  Usually an unplanned pregnancy. ‘Cheryl is up-the-duff, wonder who the father is?’

‘Up Shit Creek’

In a lot of trouble.

‘Up Yours!’

Get fucked.

Ute

Short for ‘Utility’.  A type of vehicle with a tray back.

Vege Out

To sit around and watch tv and relax.

Verandah

A type of porch that is connected to a house.

Wanker

Very commonly used in Australia.  A total idiot or obnoxious person. ‘That fella’s a bloody wanker!’

Wedding Tackle

A penis.

Weekend Warrior

A person that is subscribed to the Army Reserves.

Whinger

Someone that complains a lot.

Winnie Blues

Not used commonly in normal Australian speak.  But is means cigarettes. Winfield Blue is a brand.

Wonky

Something this is unstable.  For example: ‘This three legged table is really wonky!’

Woolies

Slang for a large supermarket chain called ‘Woolworths’.

Woop Woop

A fictional place that is out in the middle of nowhere. Or somewhere that is a really long way away.

Wuss

A coward.

Yank

A term of endearment for an American person.

Yobbo

A dope-smoking dole bludger.

Yonks

A really long period of time.

‘Your Blood is worth Bottling’

Means you mean a lot to that person. Or having very admirable qualities.

I had a blast putting this together. Do you have anything to add?

I know Aussie slang sounds weird, but it sure is fun!