50 Australian Slang Words, Terms and Phrases [Aussie Slang] (2024)

Are you planning on visiting or living in Australia anytime soon? If so, you might want to brush up on your Aussie slang. Australian English is full of unique and colorful expressions that might leave you scratching your head if you’re not familiar with them.

From “fair dinkum” to “chook”, Australian slang phrases can be confusing, but they are essential to the country’s culture and identity.

In this blog article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common Aussie slang terms, their meanings, and how to use them. So, grab a cuppa, and let’s get started.

Aussie slang using -ie, -ye, -y

You may have noticed that a lot of Australian slang phrases end with the letters -ie, -ye, or -y. These endings are added to words to create affectionate or playful nicknames for individuals, locations, or objects.

So, if you want to sound like a local, adding these diminutive expressions to your speech is a must. Here are some of the most common:

  • Barbie – barbecue
  • Mushie – mushroom
  • Sunnies – sunglasses
  • Furphy – a strongly believed untrue story or rumor
  • Billy – a teapot for boiling water
  • Cossie – a swimming suit
  • Prezzy – a present
  • Brekkie – a breakfast
  • Chrissie – Christmas
  • Bikkie – a biscuit
  • To cost big bikkies – to be too expensive
  • Exy – a shorter version of “expensive”
  • Footy – Australian football
  • Lippy – lipstick
  • Lollies – the same as lollipops
  • Mozzie – a mosquito
  • Polly – a police officer
  • Pozzy – taking a good position
  • Selfie – Self taken, self-portrait

50 Australian Slang Words, Terms and Phrases [Aussie Slang] (1)

The origin of the word selfie is indisputably Australian. One of the most detailed explanations can be found in this Telegraph article. Briefly, the word “selfie” created the Australian uni student, who liked abbreviating all words with “-ie” and “-ey” suffixes and even named himself Hopey.

After his roaring birthday party, Hopey joined a student forum to discuss his lip injury and posted a picture of it with this comment: “I had a hole about 1cm long right through my bottom lip. And sorry about the focus, it was a selfie.”.

Aussie slang with “-o” & “-a”

Ending words with vowels like “a”, or “o” is also a distinctive feature of typical Australian slang. These abbreviated words allow people to make their conversation less formal and is often used with friends and family.

Australian slang words like arvo, servo, and bottle-o, are very common and are derived from similar words in British English, like aggro.

  • Bizzo – business (“mind your own bizzo”)
  • Ambo – ambulance, ambulance driver
  • Milko – milkman
  • Nasho – the National Services (obligatory military services)
  • Relo – a relative
  • Servo – a gas station
  • Vego – a vegetarian
  • Smoko – a short break for a smoke
  • Defo – definitely
  • Muso – a musician
  • Preggo – pregnant
  • Rego – registration of a vehicle
  • Arvo – an afternoon
  • Evo – an evening
  • Avo – avocado
  • Aggro – aggressive
  • Seppo – an American

The Australian slang word “seppo” has derived from its predecessor “septic tank” or “yank” and is rarely used by the young people in Aussie. Other Aussie sayings from the aforementioned lists are also seldom used by the young people.

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Other common Australian slang phrases

Apart from the diminutive abbreviations and ‘o’ words, there are many other slang phrases commonly used in Australia. Some of these expressions are well-known and widely used, while others may be more obscure and region-specific.

Unlike British or American slang, Australian slang terms are more recognized for their abbreviations than phrases, but there are plenty of those too.

No matter what Aussie city you visit, from Melbourne to Victoria, you’ll most likely hear the locals using at least a few of these terms:

  • Bogan – Equivalent of the US slang termredneck’, describing an uncultured person with unrefined speech, behavior, clothing, etc.
  • Fair Dinkum – Something that is good or genuine
  • Apples, she’ll be – It’ll be alright
  • Banana bender – Someone from Queensland
  • Dog’s breakfast – Complete chaos, mess
  • Big Smoke – A large city like Sydney
  • No worries – No problem
  • Face, off one’s – Drunk
  • G’Day – Hi!, Hello!

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  • Give it a burl – Have a try!
  • Grinning like a shot fox – Absolutely satisfied and happy
  • Good on ya – Good for you
  • Liquid laugh – Puke, vomit
  • Piece of piss – A very easy task
  • London to a brick – Expressing certainty or high probability
  • Good oil – A good idea or information

Funny facts about Australian slang

According to a recent study, abbreviations with endings -ie, -y, -o are usually used by older people whereas Gen Z and Y Aussies tend to add ending “-s” to the clipped word, e.g. uggies – Ugg boots, firies – fire fighters, mobile – mobes, etc.

Also, the fast-food company McDonald’s agreed to lose its traditional naming in Australia because almost 50% of people said Macca’s instead of the full name of the brand. So, if you come to the roo’s (aka kangaroo) country, you will defo find different Macca’s than elsewhere in the world.

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Summary

Australian slang is a fascinating and integral part of the country’s culture and identity. From diminutive abbreviations to ‘o’ words and other slang phrases, Aussie slang is unique and captures Aussie culture but can confuse outsiders.

However, by familiarizing yourself with these slang terms, you can better understand and communicate with locals and even impress them with your knowledge of Aussie lingo.

So, whether you’re planning a visit or a more extended stay in Australia, take the time to learn some of the country’s most common slang phrases and words. You’ll be speaking like a true blue Aussie in no time!

50 Australian Slang Words, Terms and Phrases [Aussie Slang] (2024)
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