Australian English vocabulary

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According to stereotype, spoken Australian English is thought to be highly colloquial, possibly more so than other spoken variants. Various publishers have produced "phrase books" to assist visitors. These phrasebooks reflect a highly exaggerated and outdated style of Australian colloquialisms and they should partially be regarded as amusements rather than accurate usage guides.

Australian Choice Of Words

Perception has it that a common trait is the frequent use of long-winded similes, such as "slow as a wet weekend", "built like a brick shit-house", "mad as a cut snake", or "flat out like a lizard drinking". Whether this perception is based in reality or has been produced by popular culture items of fiction such as the (successfully exported) television soap opera Neighbours and the films of Paul Hogan remains in question.

Australians generally like to think of themselves as direct, and this is typified by statements such as "why call a spade a spade, when you can call it a bloody shovel!". This can lead to misunderstandings and offence being caused to people from cultures where an emphasis is placed on avoiding conflict, such as people from Southeast Asia.

Spoken Australian English is generally more tolerant of offensive and/or abusive language than other variants. A famous exponent was the former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who referred in parliament to opponents as a "mangy maggot", a "stupid foul-mouthed grub" and so on. The widespread desire among Australians to avoid pomposity, or even polite, formal or dignified speech, is sometimes seen as reflecting a suspicion of success in general, a phenomenon sometimes known as the tall poppy syndrome.

The Origins Of Australian Vocabulary

Australian English incorporates many uniquely Australian terms, such as outback to refer to remote, sparsely-populated areas, and bush to refer to native forested areas, but also to country areas in general. One theory is that many such words originated with British convicts transported to the penal colonies of Australia between 1788 and 1868. The convicts were mostly people from English cities, such as Cockneys, and many words widely used by country Australians are or were also used in London and/or south east England, with minor variations in meaning. For example: creek (in Australia, a stream whereas in England it is a small watercourse flowing into the sea); paddock (in Australia any field, in England a small enclosure for livestock); bush (in England this usage survives as a proper name, for example Shepherd's Bush) and; scrub (lightly wooded area, in England, this survives as a proper name, for example Wormwood Scrubs).

The origins of other terms are not as clear, or are disputed. Fair dinkum can mean "are you telling me the truth?", "this is the truth!", or even "ridiculous!" depending on context. Dinkum is often claimed to date back to the gold rushes of the 1850s, and that it is derived from the Cantonese for "real gold". More recently, dinkum is said to derive from English regional slang for "hard work" or "fair work". G'day is well known as a stereotypical Australian greeting ("G'day" is not quite synonymous with "good day", and is never used as an expression for "farewell"). Many of these terms have been adopted into British English via popular culture and family links.

Some elements of Aboriginal languages have been incorporated into Australian English, mainly as names for places, flora and fauna (for example Dingo, kangaroo). Beyond that, very few terms have been adopted into the wider language. A notable exception is Cooee (a musical call which travels long distances in the bush and is used to say 'is there anyone there?'), which can also be used as a term for an audible range of distance ("If he's within cooee of here we'll spot him"). Though often thought of as an Aboriginal word, Didgeridoo/Didjeridu (a well known wooden musical instrument) is usually considered to be an onomatopaoeic word of Western invention. It has also been suggested that it may have an Irish derivation.

Dictionaries Of Australian English

In 1981, the Macquarie Dictionary of Australian English was published after 10 years of research and planning. Editions have been published ever since. There is also an Oxford Dictionary of Australian English.

Regional Variation

There used to be a significant regional variation in Australian English vocabulary between different states. For example, Queenslanders say "port" (short for "portmanteau") while people in the other states say "school bag", "backpack" and/or "knapsack".

"Football" refers to the most popular code in the various States, or regions within them. Victorians start a game of Australian rules football with a "ball up", Western Australians with a "bounce down"; New South Welsh people and Queenslanders start a game of Rugby League with a "kick off".

Another example is the word used for what is a fairly bland, thick, processed pork sausage, usually eaten cold, which is a common sandwich filling (sliced and often with tomato sauce). In South Australia it is known as fritz, in Victoria it is stras (short for "Strasbourg"), in New South Wales it is devon, in Western Australia polony, in Queensland windsor and in Tasmania, belgium.

Other regional mannerisms are alleged: for example, it is often said that people from North Queensland end sentences with the interrogative "eh?", although this can also be found in other parts of the English-speaking world, and is common in Canadian English.

The steadily increasing centralisation of film, TV and radio production, however, is rapidly blurring these distinctions.

Rhyming Slang

A common feature of traditional Australian English was rhyming slang, based on Cockney rhyming slang and imported by migrants from London in the 19th century. Rhyming slang consists of taking a phrase, usually of two words, which rhymes with a commonly used word, then using the first word of the phrase the represent the word. For example "Captain Cook" rhymes with "look", so to "have a captain cook," or to "have a captain," means to "have a look." Rhyming slang was often used to create euphemistic terms for obscene words. In recent years this feature of Australian English has declined under the impact of mass popular culture.

Some of the more colourful examples:

chunder: "spew" (in the sense of vomit), from a fictional cartoon character in The Bulletin called Chunder Loo.
A dropkick: at one time a very insulting term, since it meant cunt, from "dropkick punt", a term from various codes of football. Since the "punt" has now been forgotten, "dropkick" usually just means a stupid person.
septic or seppo: an American, from septic tank/Yank. A derogatory term common during World War II, particularly in the Australian Army.
A snakes: piss, from snake's hiss, as in "I'm busting for a snakes".

Food And Culinary Terms

With foodstuffs Australian English tends to be more closely related to the British vocabulary, for example the term biscuit has always been favoured over the American terms cookie and cracker (However as had been the case with many terms, the American word "cookie" is recognised by Australians, and occasionally used, especially among younger generations; this is due to high levels of American film and television programs being seen in Australia).

In a few cases such as zucchini, snow pea and eggplant Australian English uses the same terms as the Americans, whereas the British use the equivalent French terms courgette, mangetout and do not care whether eggplant or aubergine is used. This is possibly due to a fashion that emerged in mid-19th Century Britain of adopting French nouns for foodstuffs, and hence the usage changed in Britain while the original terms were preserved in the (ex-)colonies. For some uncertain reason, Australia uses the botanical name capsicum for what both the British and the Americans would call (red or green) peppers. Perhaps this is in order to contrast table pepper (berries of genus Piper) from so-called "hot peppers" (larger fruits of genus Capsicum).

Coffee is also worthy of mention, since Australians have devised unique terms, such as flat white or white coffee, in reference to plain coffee with milk.

Diminutives

Australian English frequently uses diminutives formed by adding -o or -ie to the ends of (often abbreviated words). Although these are also used in British English, they occur far more often in Australia, including some formal contexts. There does not appear to be any particular pattern to which of these suffixes is used. Examples with the -o ending include abo (aborigine - now considered very offensive), arvo (afternoon), servo (service station), rego (annual motor vehicle registration) and ambo (ambulance officer). The Salvation Army is often referred to as "The Salvos". Examples of the -ie ending include barbie (barbecue), bikkie (biscuit) and blowie (blowfly). Occasionally, a -za diminutive is used, usually for personal names where the first of multiple syllables ends in an "r". Barry becomes Bazza, Karen becomes Kazza and Sharon becomes Shazza. Also popular and common is the -z diminutive form, whereby Karen becomes Kaz and so on.

Unique Australian Words, Slang and/or Usage

A to D

Anglo-Celtic – media/academic term for an Australian of English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish descent.
arse – as elsewhere in English, slang for buttocks (sometimes also the anus). In Australia the derivation arsey means someone showing daring, audacity, and/or cheekiness. However the North American spelling, ass is increasingly common, as is the accompanying pronunciation.
Asian – usually East or Southeast Asian (rather than South Asian, as in British usage).
Aussie – an Australian, pronounced "oz-zee". Also "Australia" (for example "I'm going back to Aussie"), although this usage is now rare (see also "Oz"). Often incorrectly pronounced as "ah-see" by North Americans, sounding like arsey (see above).

bag – criticise (for example "Stop bagging me.")
Banana Bender – a Queenslander (due to the fact that Queensland is where bananas are grown).
bastard – "the great Australian endearment" (for example Come and have a drink with me, ya bastard!), but can also be used as an insult; interpreted according to context.
bathers – used in some states to mean a swimsuit (from 'bathing suit'). (See also cossie, swimmers and togs).
battler – a socially-respected, hard-working Australian who is struggling to "make ends meet", because their income is only just enough to survive off.
bloke – generic term for a man (also common in British English).
bludge – to shirk, be idle, or waste time either doing nothing or something inappropriate; also to borrow (for example "Hey mate, can I bludge a smoke?").
bloody – "the great Australian adjective" (for example The price of beer nowadays is bloody outrageous!) Also common in British English.
bogan – a term used for a lower class white Australian, similar in meaning to the US term trailer trash. Seems to have originated in Melbourne before spreading throughout the country after being used in Melbourne-produced television programs. Westie is the term favoured in Sydney and is also used in Auckland, New Zealand. Other alternatives include bevan (in Queensland) and booner in Canberra.
budgie smugglers – mens brief-style swimwear (also known as speedos).
buggered – broken (for example it's buggered, mate or steve buggered it); or exhausted, tired out (for example I'm buggered).
bushwalking – hiking in the bush.
bushranger – a highwayman.

cactus – non-functional
Cadbury (sometimes Cadbury's) – someone who gets drunk very quickly. From a series of commercials for Cadbury milk chocolate claiming each block contains "a glass and a half of full-cream dairy milk", the implication being the "Cadbury" can't hold more than a glass and a half of beer.
carn – Assimilation of "Come on!" Usually used to either goad someone "Carn, have another" or to cheer on a sporting team "Carn the 'Doggies!"
chook – a chicken, also used in New Zealand.
Clayton's – not the real thing, ersatz (from a brand of zero alcohol mixer).
cossie – used in some states to mean a swimsuit or swim trunks (from 'swimming costume'). Use generally restricted to New South Wales. (See also bathers and swimmers).
Crow Eater – a South Australian (possibly from the piping shrike, the crow-like faunal emblem of that state, and found on South Australian registration plates).
cut – angry or upset.

dacks – trousers, most likely derived from the London clothier Daks (founded in 1894).
dag – originally a lump of feces-encrusted wool dangling from a sheep's posterior; also an unfashionable person.
derro – a hobo or wino. Short form of derelict.
dob – to inform on; dibber dobber is commonly used by children.
dole bludger – a person living on welfare who is disinclined to work or exertion.
doona – cf. British duvet. Doona is a brand name, originally the generic term was continental quilt.
doover – a placeholder for an object whose name is unknown or forgotten, perhaps from "it'll do for now".
dummy – cf. American pacifier (also common in British English).
dunny – a toilet, the appliance or the room - especially one in a separate outside building.

E to K

Eastern States – term used by West Australians to refer to the rest of Australia; one derivation of this is Eastern Stater.

fag – a cigarette, in common with British English. Due to American media influence this term can also refer to a homosexual man (Offensive).
fanny – vagina, unlike North America, where it means buttocks. (The item known to Americans as a "fanny pack" is a "bum bag" in Australia).
footpath – paved walkway running parallel to a street or road, and known in other countries as a sidewalk or pavement.
footy – various kinds of football, in most areas Aussie Rules, but meaning Rugby League in Queensland and NSW (except the Riverina); often used by first generation European immigrants to mean soccer.

garbo – a garbage collector.
goon – cheap cask wine.
grouse – great.

Hills Hoist – a type of rotary clothesline; Hills is a popular clothesline manufacturer.

L to P

light globe – although "light bulb" is sometimes also used, most Australians don't realise that "globe" is not used in this sense outside Australia.

Manchester – household linen.
mate – a friend. A term that is used affectionately to address friends and acquaintances ("How's it going, mate?"), to address strangers ("Excuse me, mate..."). Also used as a noun ("He is a good mate"). Sometimes deliberately used as an obscenity (hostile overfamiliarity) directed towards a hostile or indifferent stranger. The term is also common in British English in all these respects.
Mexican – a Victorian (due to the fact that Victoria is south of the border from NSW, Queensland and the territories. Strangely South Australians also use this term to refer to Victorians, even though Victoria is east of the border from SA).

nature strip (or verge in Western Australia) – a lawn or plantation between a footpath (see above) and street.
New Australian – 1950s term for immigrant, usually from continental Europe, becoming obsolete.

Oz – shortened form of Australia (see also "Aussie"). Also known as Down Under because of Australia's geographical location on a globe, this term was made popular due to the song "Down Under" by Australian band Men at Work.

peanut paste – at one time the term used for peanut butter. Rarely heard today with the term peanut butter universally used.
piss-fart around – to waste time (for example we piss-farted around for a couple of hours at the beach; Stop piss-farting around and do your work.).
Pom – (also pommy) a mildly derogatory word for an English person. The true origin of this term is somewhat obscure, and several erroneous theories abound. The Macquarie Dictionary (which published the first ever dictionary of Australian English in 1981) states that it is a contraction of pomegranate, rhyming slang for immigrant ("imme-granate"). (see also fake etymology).
poofter or poof – homosexual man (Offensive) (also common in British English).

Q to Z

root – to have sex. (This can cause embarrassment for Americans in Australia who innocently declare that they "root" for a particular sports team.)
root rat – someone who sleeps around a lot.
rooted – broken or tired; see buggered.
rort – a scam, especially the exploitation of rules or laws; used mostly to describe the actions of politicians. (Also lurk as a noun.)

Sandgroper – a Western Australian.
sheila – a (young) woman (being driven out by the American word "chick").
shopstealing – in some official circles the term shopstealing has replaced the more familiar shoplifting in an attempt to emphasise the criminal nature of the act. Nevertheless in everyday speech Australians continue to use the term shoplifting.
skippy – a (sometimes derogatory) term for an Australian of Anglo-Celtic descent. Chiefly used in large cities by young people of Southeast European or Asian descent. Probably a reference to the famous 1960s television program Skippy which featured a predominantly Anglo-Celtic cast. Also skip.
smoko – a short break from work (even though smoking is banned in most inside workplaces).
spanner – cf. American wrench.
swimmers – used in some states to mean a swimsuit or swimming trunks (from "swimming costume"). (See also bathers and cossie).

Territorian or Top Ender – a Northern Territorian.
thingo or thingamajig – a placeholder for an object whose name is unknown or forgotten.
thongs – flip-flops, cf. NZE jandals. The undergarment is called a g-string in Australia.
tall poppy – someone who (through hard work, natural ability, or simply luck) rises above the average, and so attracts the resentment of others.
togs – in Queensland used to describe any type of swimsuit or bathers.
two pot screamer – someone who gets drunk very quickly. "Pot" is the term used in Victorian pubs for a 10 ounce beer glass. See also Cadbury.

ugg boots – sheepskin boot. This word has been trademarked by Deckers Outdoor Corporation in some countries, however, it has always been regarded as a generic word in Australian English.
ute – short for utility. A car-like vehicle with a tray back, possibly with sides, a rear gate and/or a removable cover. Any small truck. Generally cognisant with pickup truck in most countries.

wag or wagging – to skip school or work to do something else on someone else's time.
wog – derogatory (but increasingly reclaimed) term for Italian, Greek or other southern European immigrant. (Contrast with British usage, where the word usually refers to people of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent).
woop-woop or the back of Bourke or beyond the Black stump – a generic far-off place (for example out past woop-woop – with the short oo sound used in 'cook').

Old, Dying or Expired Slang

Many distinctive Australian words have been driven into extinction or near extinction in recent decades, under the homogenising influence of mass media and imported culture. Those who like or use these words regret their passing but informal vocabulary is by nature ephemeral.

Some examples:

beauty – exclamation showing approval, for example "You beauty!" (sometimes reduced to "beaut").
blue – a brawl or heated argument (for example "they were having a blue"); or an embarrassing mistake (for example "I've made a blue").
bonzer – excellent (almost extinct). Often in the exclamation bonzer beauty. Probably from the Spanish word bonanza, by way of American English.
chunder – to vomit, made famous by Barry Humphries. Falling out of use as the more common synonyms such as "throw-up", "chuck me guts up" and "be sick" persist. Less common is "puke/puked/puking" although it is on the increase due to the influence of American TV programs and music.
cobber – friend, mate (almost extinct).
crook – unwell, also unfair.
digger – originally used to denote a soldier, particularly for World War I ANZAC veterans. Still used in military circles to denote an enlisted soldier without rank.
drongo – an idiot, from the name of a very slow racehorse (survives, but in decline).
dinkum – genuine (still used but in decline), used as "fair dinkum"; dinky-di also means genuine, usually to do with Australia.
flamin' – an exclamatory term, usually with bad connotations for example "You flamin' mongrel!" (This phrase is famously used on Australian soap opera Home and Away, but is not unique to Australia and is also common in British English).
galah – a fool (survives, but in decline), from the bird. This word has been used in commercials against drunk driving; Don't be a galah!
struth! (sometimes spelt streuth) – expression of shock or dismay (replaced by stronger expletives such as "fuck!" or "shit!"). Possibly of Shakespearean origin, "God's Truth".
wag – play truant
wowser – a killjoy, is not as popular as it once was, but is still used.