Diminutives in Australian English

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Diminutives are used extensively in every day Australian English. There are over 5,000 identified diminutives..

Diminutives are usually formed be taking the first part of a word, and adding an a, o, or an ie/y. Alternatively in some cases no ending may be used. Diminutives are used very exactly and are not random. For example, an ambo is an ambulance paramedic, and never an ambulance; and is never pronounced ambie or amba. The use of the 'ie' ending, for example in bikie, (a motorcycle club member), does not carry a connotation of smallness or cuteness as it does in other English dialects.

Some diminutives are used almost exclusively except in the most formal of circumstances, while some are rarely used. Others might be restricted to certain demographic groups or locations. The use of diminutives also evolves over time with new words coming into use, and words coming into and out of favour.

List of Diminutives

Ambo, an ambulance paramedic.
Arvo, afternoon.
Barbie, a barbecue, which may refer to either the cooking apparatus itself or the event of cooking food on a barbecue.
Bikie, a member of a motorcycle club, sometimes involved in criminal activity. This is equivalent to biker in American English. A motorcycle club is called a Bikie Club.
Bookie, a book keeper.
Bottlo, a bottle shop/alcohol store.
Breckie, breakfast.
Brisie, Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.
Brickie, a bricklayer.
Bundy, Bundaberg, Queensland, also slang for Bundaberg Rum.
Cab Sav, Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Cuppa, a up of tea or coffee.
Chrissie/Chrissy, Christmas.
Footy, football, which may refer to the sport of football, the ball itself, or a specific game. Generally, footy refers to Rugby League in Queensland and New South Wales, and to Australian Rules Football in the other states.
Journo, a journalist.
Kindy, kindergarten.
Maccas, McDonalds fast food restaurants.
Pollie, a politician.
Postie, a postman or postwoman.
Preggo, pregnant.
Rego, vehicle registration.
Rellie, a relative.
Seppo, a derogatory term for an American. Seppo is a diminutive of septic tank which is in turn rhyming slang for yank, which is an abreviation of yankee.
Sickie, a sick day.
Smoko, a smoking break while at work. Since smoking has been banned in many workplaces, a smoko has come to mean any break from work.
Sparkie, an electrician.
Subie, a Subaru car.
Sunnies, sunglasses.
Suzie, a Suzuki car.
Tassie, Tasmania.
Tradie, a tradesman.
Undies, underwear.
Wollies, Woolworths supermarkets.

Misplaced Pages

Diminutives in Australian English

List of Diminutives

References