10 Reasons Why Learning A Foreign Language Will Change Your Life Forever
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“Barbie” is probably the cutest slang ever for “barbecue”, but wait ‘till you find out more, mate!
You don’t really know a language until you’ve learned its slang. And when it comes to English, many people agree that Australian slang is the richest, liveliest and funniest slang you could learn. Sure, there’s always British English, but the Brits don’t call their barbecue “barbie”. And that’s a missed opportunity. Wouldn’t you agree? How can you have just a plain, dull barbecue when you could have a “barbie”? The Aussie slang is the best slang.
As you probably know, “Aussie” is slang for “Australian”. Yeah, these people do have a slang term for everything. Now, whether you want to move to the Australian paradise, spend a holiday there to visit the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo, or just learn the Australian slang because you feel like spicing up your English vocabulary, there are a few things you need to remember:
Let’s start with the basics: core Australian slang vocabulary. Here’s a list of popular Australian slang terms you probably heard before but didn’t know what they meant.
You can also use “thanks heaps” when you are really grateful to someone for doing something for you or “cheers” to combine both “thank you” and “goodbye” in a single word. For example, “cheers” is a perfect choice for when you leave the shop after the barista gave the coffee.
Derived from the Irish girls’ name Síle. It is now rarely used because it is considered derogatory.
A stereotype of a typical Australian man: loves beer, sport and barbies.
It’s similar to “chap”or “fella”.
A “bogan” is an uncouth or unrefined person regarded as being of low social status. The term is usually pejorative, but it can also be regarded as a joke between friends.
Although it sounds like breakfast for kids, brekkie is the Australian meal everyone has in the morning.
So… what did you have for brekkie today?
Well, I don’t mind if you call me a “barbie girl” now.
Oi, mate! This one’s a classic. You ought to use it.
It’s similar to “blimey!”. Was made famous by Steve Irwin.
There’s no better replacement for the word “mouth”. Why isn’t everybody using this?
It can also refer to a small, aggressive dog like a chihuahua.
Sometimes spelled “bonza”.
Or “s’arvo” which means “this afternoon”.
An abbreviation of “bottle shop”.
Do you want some avo toast for brekkie?
You heard “telly” before, but “bush telly”? That’s a new one. Basically, when you are camping you can’t watch traditional television, so you watch the “bush telly”: the campfire, the stars or just… the bush.
Can this get any cuter?
You’ll ask for a “bikkie” just to hear yourself say it.
Additionally, there’s also the expression “to cost big bikkies” that means that something it’s very expensive.
Share these words with your introvert friend and he might never stop talking.
The barbie is ready! Bring the mushies.
You’ll defo want to use this Aussie abbreviation.
Call the cabbie! I’m moving to Australia right now.
They had to have a dedicated slang term for kangaroos too, didn’t they? After all, the kangaroos are Australia’s most popular animals.
Like this Australian slang list!
Used to express joy or enthusiasm. Often used as “you beauty!”.
Step into the realm of the unknown. This following list of Australian words and phrases contains some slang terms only true Aussies know! Use this Aussie slang in your day-to-day conversations and Aussie might think you’re one of their own.
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Wata bloody rippa.
Great list Cobber.
I’d also make point of the below amendment/sadditions, some of these can be regional.
Cobber – Mate/Friend/Buddy/Pal
Strewth! – Can’t believe this wasn’t on the list (.see crikey!)
Smoko – any short work break that isn’t a lunch/meal break
bathers – swimsuit (No-one calls them bathers, They’re called “Cozzies”)
Joey – baby kangaroo (This isn’t slang, it’s what they’re called lol)
Undies – Underwear
Spud – Potato
‘Scarnon – Translation “What is going on?” – How are you?
How’s it goin’? – “how are you?”
“She’ll be right” – Don’t worry about it / no worries
chuck – vomit
longneck – 750ml bottle of beer
mongrel – derogatory, unfavourable person – usually betrays others
Plus a million more you’ll hear in a day hahaha.
G’Day Mate 👋
These are all great! Thank you for taking the time to upgrade our list 🧡
Actually, the comparatively endearing term “cobber” is most frequently reserved for your better friends; for your Best Friends…. 🙂
That’s good to know 🤔
@AussieAsMate, we could be best friends if you’d like that 👍
Something I heard in the “Crocodile Dundee 2” movie, that I haven’t been able to find:
“Shoot the dirpy bastard!”
What is “dirpy”?
Thanks!
A grateful Yank
}:-)
i never knew all of these
Derpy bastard – similar to dopey bastard.. it’s an intensifier but can be used affectionately.
I often call my cat a derpy bastard especially when he does zoomies round the house into a door.
Jim… Think Dopey, foolish, stupid… that`s the meaning of Derpy.
Hes not the full quid. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I had a dingos breakfast, ( piss and a good look round). He’s got a roman nose (roaming all over his face ) . Hes lower than a sharks shithouse, ( that’s at the bottom of the sea). Shove that up against your dunny door, (derogatory term). He wouldn’t shout if a Shark bit him. ( won’t buy anyone a beer ). Tight as a fishes arsehole (watertight ) Dirt overcoat ( buried )
Popular as a pork chop in Jerusalem. Bluey ( mate with red hair ). Mudguard ( bald, shiny on top, crap underneath), (very derogatory). Billy Lid ( your hat or a child). Opium (nickname ,Slow working dope) Boozer, Pub, bloodhouse, ( Hotel) Walloper, Copper,
Fuzz, Boys in blue (Police ) Grouse (very good ) just a few for the collection, l avoided the rude ones, but some times they don’t ring true without the empathise of a particular word.
Hey Jim as a born and bred Aussie I can tell ya “dirpy” is how you heard “dopey” as in slow/ stupid/ idiot. Or the name of one of the 7 dwarves in a seppo cartoon I spose haha! Thanks for the laugh! And for being interested in talking strayan. Catch ya ron
Bloody galoot is one I haven’t heard in a long time.
Australians also tend to say complete sentences as one word. For example:
Whatchupta? owsitgoin? whatyadointhisarvo? catchyalater? whatsupisass? bloodyhell wadyadothatfor? com’ntothebarbie? huzzzaup? doindonuts in ma’ute! whatchagoin,todo,bout,it? ab,so,bloody,utely,nuthin! causehe’sa,flamin,(xxxx).
ya,avin,a,go,r,ya? nah,chill,mate. that,eff,ing,dick!
Due to the lack of pausing, foreigners can find it difficult to understand this Australian version.
There are actually 3 different types or Australian English.
1. Proper/Formal Australian English where the person is quite eloquent, enunciates words and is usually from the upper classes and lives within their demographic. You would never hear a QC (Queen’s Counsel at Law) say “whadyado?”. They say “What did you do?”
2. Normal Australian English. A middle class accent. The nasal accent isn’t as pronounced as the “strayan” presented here. Common to shorten words and sentences but not to the extent of 3. Uses formal speech when necessary yet reverts (to an extent) when with family and friends.
3. Strayan. Clipped sentences, many euphemisms, nasal, and if from the rural areas they tend to speak quite slowly. This dialect likes to shorten most words even names e.g. Davoe, Richo, ScoMo (our Prime Minister lol), Sentences. See above.
As with any large country dialects are now forming even within the cities, towns and States).
SO PLEASE understand that if you called me mate. i would think ” This tourist is way off, I’m not your mate”. Don’t TRY to use STRAYAN because you will find you are way off and just embarrassing for yourself. K?
And. SHIELA is derogatory so NO! And do not bring your “fanny pack” because that’s your Vagina pack. A man has his Willy, Donger, or his Crown Jewels (fruit & 2 veg).
Some other I have heard!
looked like a stunned mullet (shocked)
lower than a snakes belly (without morals)
put a cork/plug in it willya? before i do! (SHUT UP)
petrolhead (car hoon)
he is so far up himself, he’s in pain
devo (deviant)
chucka yui (do a U-turn)
chuckasickie (fake sickness for a day off)
Un-Australian (not giving people a fair go)
And a zillion more Laugh along!
I am australian, and I only knew around half of these. But joey is the REAL name for a baby kangaroo, not slang. And last time I checked, Esky is a company, not slang.
But I am half british, so I guess I have no right to be australian. XD
Anyway, interesting list!