"Australian Slang - Bogan, Barbie, Galah!Swimmers....find out what they mean!"
The Aussie twang is officially known as the "Strine" (so named by a linguist in 1966.) Yes we speak English here in Australia but sometimes it's hard to actually follow a conversation if you are surrounded by true Aussies.
The key things that you will notice is that every sentence sounds like a question as they tend to go up at the end of their sentences. You'll also notice a flattening of the vowels too.
So when you've mastered that, you then need to master a whole new vocabulary of words and sayings that can be a little confusing.
Take for example the word "bluey" - It can mean lots of things from blue bottle jellyfish to a traffic ticket or someone with Red hair! The Australians love to inject a bit of humour by using words that mean the total opposite. "Lofty" for someone who is short would be another example.
Below you will find a list of Australian slang and Australian sayings that I have heard regularly, in the hope that you can understand more when you get here for your trip. I've also included a couple of videos. After all we wouldn't want you getting Barbie the Doll and the Aussie Barbie mixed up now would we!
Key Australian Slang - Abbreviate Everything!
The first thing you can do to get into the lingo is to abbreviate as many words as you possibly can. Most should end with an "o" or an "ie"
Here are some examples:
Arvo - Afternoon
Barbie - BBQ and not a Barbie Doll!
Bikkie - Biscuit
Brickie - A brick layer
Brizzie - Brisbane
Breckie - Breakfast
Chewie - Chewing Gum
Chrissie - Christmas
Cozzie - Swimming Costume
Exy - Expensive
Kindie - Kindergarten
Maccas Macdonalds
Mozzie Mosquito
Oldies Parents
Pokies Fruit machines
Roadie A beer you take away with you "one for the road"
Trackies tracksuit pants
Uni - university
Ute - Utility Vehicle
Yewy - Do a U-turn
Australian Slang - Avoiding Social Blunders
Then you need to make sure you don't make any social blunders:
BYO - Bring your own Alcohol
Bring a Plate - Bring a plate of food - a dessert or a salad etc
Chook - Chicken
Pash - To kiss/snog
Root - Be careful not to use this word as it means F*ck
Snag - A Sausage
Skull - To drink a drink down in one
Smoko - Go for a smoke or break
Thongs - Flipflops and not Gstring underwear
Tinny - a can of beer
Terms of Endearement (Well Sort OF!)
Ankle Biter - Small child
Aussie - Australian
Bluey - Red Head
Bogan - Equivalent of a chav
Cook - the wife
Dag - A nerd
Drongo - A stupid person
Galah (often flaming galah) - stupid person
Pommie - British
Sheila - Woman
Show Pony - Someone trying too hard to dress the part
Australian Sayings
Chuck a Sickie - To pretend to be ill so as not to go work