5 of 15

Write now Article Tools

This is a guide to using Aussie slang like a local. First of all, you must learn to use the word Aussie in the right context. It is fine to say, "I am an Aussie." or "That is an Aussie such-and such." However, there is nothing more grating than to hear someone say, "How is it Aussie." If you say this, you will get weird looks for sure. I would say that it would be the equivalent of saying to an American, "How is it in Yank?"

Much of Australian slang is based on words rhyming or sounding the same, and will be confusing unless you are familiar with it. For example, one may say, "billy lids" for kids, "dog and bone" for telephone, "Dad n' Dave" for a shave, "dog's eye" for meat pie, "septic tank" (shortened then to seppo) for a Yank, and "dead horse" for tomato sauce. To add to the confusion, "the tomato sauces" can be used as slang for the horse races.

The first ones you need to know are that "dinkum" means real, and "dinky di" means really Australian. A sheila is slang for a woman, this is mainly used in the northern states of Queensland and the Northern Territory. "Chook" is slang for chicken, "old chook" means a bossy or fussy old woman, and an "ankle biter" means a small child. A "Taswegian" is someone from Tasmania, and "Sandgroper" is someone from Western Australia, a "crow eater" is someone from South Australia, a "Banana Bender" is someone from Queensland, and the "Top End" refers to the Northern Territory.

On a work site, you may get the chance to use slang words such as "noodle arms" for someone who is not very strong or has thin arms, "hard yakka" for hard work, "chippy" for carpenter, and "sparkie" for an electrician.

A couple of slang terms used to describe someone who is not quite all together there mentally are, "a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock," and "not the sharpest tool in the shed." Some affectionate terms for a silly person are, "you galah," or "you drongo."

Some of the more amusing pieces of Australian slang are: "alligator pear" for avocado (due to the avocado skin being like alligator skin), "hen's fruit" or "cackleberry" for eggs, "flat out like a lizard drinking" meaning very busy with work, "five-fingered discount" means shoplifting, and "keen as mustard" (from a popular brand of mustard) meaning extremely enthusiastic.

Learn more about this author, Mark Walker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to use Australian slang like a local?
We want to hear your view. Write now!