ZigzagAustralia
Some of my family members -especially my dear sister- asked me several times to write a post about the aussie slang. Here we go, I took my time to collect some funny and truly Australian slang expressions. Some of them were known by us, but there were plenty of them which were completely new to us, of course.
It was really interesting to see what differences there are between websites and between their slang word collections – what kind of words are included there, and how they are spelled. I think there are some words that are only used for a short time, but on the other hand, this country is sooo big, that it is virtually impossible that everybody in every corner of this country knows everything. Here is a nice video on Youtube, it is worth to read the comments as well. Nice to see how some people are almost angry on each other because of using different expressions in the same country.
To tell you the truth, the task to write about the slang of another country is a bit difficult-especially because we are not native English speakers. We do not know every expression here; it is much more difficult to understand them on the train when other people are chatting behind you, etc. However if we knew more we also would not use them -except maybe those two or three which are really in our mind because they are used commonly in every situation, not just as slang words, like `no worries`, aussie, etc. Furthermore it is always really weird when a non-native English speaker tries to say something funny `aussie`, because it just does not work. You can not imitate that kind of funny and energetic pronunciation, especially if you have some kind of sweet but tough European-sounding accent. This is not funny but embarrassing. Especially if he wants to curse (Attila: what about she-ilas??). There is a saying that one can pray and count numbers only in his/her own mother tongue. In my opinion, cursing is the same category. Or do you have a different view?
So, let`s talk about the topic!! We shall start with the most typical expressions.
Australians use to talk about themselves as `aussie` or `Oz`, and the latter means the country itself, as well, just like the expressions `down under` or the `Lucky Country`. By the way, the lingo or the slang is called `Strine` (Australian English).
Friends or buddies like saying hello as `ga day`/`gidday`/`G`day, mate`, but it is also common among friendly strangers and you can hear the shop assistant saying it as well. If they want to start a conversation, it often begins as ` How you going`. Also a very typical expression is the so called `onya`/`Good on-ya` instead of the well known `good on you`or `well done`. Sometimes if they want to say thanks, cheers or don`t worry, they use simply the same words: `no worries`.`No drama` is also used as no problem. They say `Hooroo` (without h) instead of goodbye sometimes, and `ta` or `tar` as `thanks`.
If you live here, the very first thing that you realise, is that these guys in Australia really like friendships, so they use buddy or mate in almost every sentence. How are you doing, mate? Good on ya, mate! Have a drink, mate? Etc. The so called `fella` (fellow) or `bloke` are also used very often. By the way, an aussie woman is `Sheila` for a lot of people when they talk about an Oz girl or woman.
After the greetings, let`s talk a little about the geography. You know, the big cities -like Sydney and Melbourne -are `big smoke` in slang, but this is not as typical as the expression for `the bush`, which means the rural area near towns. The bush is not so extreme as the `outback`, where so called `bushwhackers` live. On the other hand, even aussies can not tell you where outback begins exactly, but you maybe feel the difference between these two words. However we also have not been in the outback yet, but we are planning to do so later this year before we leave…
Going further on the map, I have learned many more expressions related to the states and their people. If you come from tropical Queensland, you are a `Banana bender`, or a `Cane Toad`. Its state capital -Brisbane- is called `Brizzie` or `Brisvegas`, showing how famous it is for its night life, local bars, casinos, etc. If you live in the far north, you come from the `Top End`, and the middle of the country is called `Centralia`. If you come from South Australia, you are a `Croweater`, whereas those coming from Victoria are so called `Gums..kers`. Tasmania is shortened as `Tassie` very often, and its inhabitants are the `Apple eaters`, while New-Zealanders are `Kiwi`-s, or `Sheepsh..ger`-s. According to this site, people living in NSW are `cockroaches`, but I can not understand why, because as far as I know, people in all parts of Australia are suffering from these animals. However, after several tough months, at least we managed to make a clear sweep of them. In addition, if we talk about geography, let me tell you, that Manchester is not a town here, but means bed linen, quilt, etc., just like `Matilda` is also meaning the `swagman’s bedding or sleeping roll`. A swagman, or tussocker is an old expression for temporary workers who travelled from farm to farm while carrying a “swag”.
There are also some nice or less nice expressions in slang lingo for foreigners, of course. Englishmen are `Poms` or `pommies`, meanwhile Americans are called as `yanks`, `Seppo` or `Septic Tanks`. Less PC words for Lebanese origin people is `Leb` or the `wog` for Mediterranean originated people usually with darker skin types, but this word is a kind of insult for them. However, wog means influenza, as well. Further more, `Westie` is used for those people, living in the western parts of Sydney and are mostly associated to people from lower social or economical background. Aussies have a slang word for refugees as well: like `reffo`.
But lets continue with some happier and more common words… Very typical and commonly used is `Barbie` instead of BBQ or grill; or `veggie` as vegetable; and those shortened `cute` words ending with `ie` or `y`. In this way, underwear is just called `undie`, and a kangaroo is `skippy`. A bottle of beer (375 ml) is a `stubby`, but the canned beer is `tinny`, while the cold beer is `coldie` among friends. Not to mention, that the famous aussie souvenir thing is called `stubby holder`. The chewing gum is just `chewie`, breakfast is `brekkie`, and both the cockroach and the cockatoo are called `cockie`. People who do not go to work because of sickness, are `sickie`, but they `chuck a sickie` if they are actually healty. Sunglasses are only `sunnies` in Australia, as mosquitoes are `mozzies`, a surfer is `waxxy` or `waxhead`, maybe because they are using wax to wipe their board. If you have a good `pozzy` in the stadium, you can see the aussie football called `footy`, and you can shout ` Av-a-go-yer-mug`!!! to your favorite team…Children use to go to `kindie` (kindergarten); Christmas time is only `Chrissie`; a gift is a `prezzy`, and expensive is `exy`. Lipstick is called `lippy`, like sweets are `lollies`, and your cup of tea is also a `cuppa` for Oz-s, just like for the `Poms`.
There are more interesting slang expressions, maybe more interesting than the ones mentioned here. Would you like me to continue? Than make a comment))))
www.australiatravelsearch.com.au
