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Australian Slang Terms List

GigaBrain scanned 629 comments to find you 91 relevant comments from 10 relevant discussions.
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Pom asking for Aussie slang
r/AussieHipHop • 1
What Aussie words or phrases should every non-local know before visiting?
r/AskAnAustralian • 2
Who has some good trivia on the etymology of Aus slang?
r/AskAnAustralian • 3
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Australian Slang Terms List

Common Australian Slang

Australians are known for their unique and colorful slang. Here are some common terms that you might encounter:

  • Servo: A gas or service station [1:1], [2:3].
  • Tinny/Tinnie: A can of beer, often used by the "bogan" type [1:1].
  • Arvo: Afternoon [2].
  • Dunny: Toilet [2], [4:2].
  • Cuppa: A cup of tea or coffee [4:1].

Slang with Specific Contexts

Some slang terms have specific contexts or connotations:

  • Smoko: A break from work to smoke or relax [2:2], [4:7].
  • Champ: Can be a term of endearment or an insult depending on the context [2:6], [2:8].
  • Togs: Swimwear in some states [5:1], [5:2].

Rhyming Slang and Etymology

Australian slang often has interesting origins, sometimes stemming from rhyming slang or historical references:

  • Squiz: To have a look; originates from rhyming slang involving a crook named Squizzy Taylor [3].
  • Pom: Refers to an English person, derived from "pomegranate" through rhyming slang [3].
  • Buckleys: Meaning no chance, possibly linked to William Buckley's odds of survival or a Sydney department store [3:4], [3:5].

Miscellaneous Slang

Here are a few more terms that might come up in conversation:

  • Jack: Police [4:1].
  • Dog: Criminal informant [4:1].
  • Boot: Trunk of a car [4:1].
  • Dimmie: Dim sim, a type of dumpling [4:1], [4:8].

Understanding these slang terms can enhance your experience when interacting with Australians, whether you're visiting or just curious about the culture.

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Source Threads

POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

Pom asking for Aussie slang

Posted by Ok-Leek-7629 · in r/AussieHipHop · 6 months ago
2 upvotes on reddit
4 replies
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ORIGINAL POST

Wag1 people

I'm a pom living in Melbourne. I'm writing a short tune comparing Aus and UK slang, like Central Cee's US slang freestyle but for Australia.

I'm looking for any lingo at all, can be words or phrases. Would be helpful to say if your word is widespread or if it's only used by certain groups. Here's my list so far:

  • Doof - fezzy/ festival
  • Kickons - afters
  • Grog - yak, juice 
  • Eshay - chav, charva 
  • Eetswa - calm
  • Yarn - chatting shit, chatting breeze
  • Heaps - bare

safe

4 replies
No-Economics-4196 · 6 months ago

Also in Sydney the n words very common among the youth atleast that's what I've been told

1 upvotes on reddit
donnybrookone · 6 months ago

https://youtu.be/A_sbnBPt25w?si=ya2DPUd-LBc80VDr

2 upvotes on reddit
Ok-Leek-7629 · OP · 6 months ago

gold

1 upvotes on reddit
FrostyChemical8697 · 6 months ago

Servo - gas/service station, Tinny/tinnie - can of beer

Both widespread, though tinny is used more by the bogan type

3 upvotes on reddit
See 4 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [2]

Summarize

What Aussie words or phrases should every non-local know before visiting?

Posted by Sad_Needleworker5403 · in r/AskAnAustralian · 3 months ago

During our road trip through Australia, we slowly started picking up on some Aussie slang. But there were still moments we had no clue what was going on. “Thongs”, “arvo”, "dunny", “stinger”… some terms totally caught us off guard!

What are the must-know Australian words or expressions every traveler/tourist should learn before visiting?

I’d love to add the most important words to my university project blog! I already added some here:
https://blog.hslu.ch/majorobm/2025/03/27/downunderdiary-post-3/

Thank you very much for your help!

15 upvotes on reddit
12 replies
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12 replies
RM_Morris · 3 months ago

too many.....

But the basics would be

Servo bottelo ambos tinny snag she'll be right

24 upvotes on reddit
M
MelJay0204 · 3 months ago

Had to explain smoko to someone today

8 upvotes on reddit
B
Boatster_McBoat · 3 months ago

"Swim between the flags"

"It's further than you think"

"Don't leave (the locality of) your car if you breakdown in the outback"

64 upvotes on reddit
L
Legalkangaroo · 3 months ago

Take water not beer when driving through the outbreak.

7 upvotes on reddit
T
tchunk · 3 months ago

As someone else has said before, i reckon this is a bit of a myth. Yeah yeah its on mr inbetween. I dont think people genuinely get upset. Call someone a dog though and see fireworks

12 upvotes on reddit
S
strayacarnt · 3 months ago

Google it, It’s prison slang. You’re keeping good company it seems.

2 upvotes on reddit
dragontatman95 · 3 months ago

Years before Mr Inbetween, my mate called someone champ at a party & we all got in a fight.

Champ was his catch phrase.

Until that night, he had never run into anyone who had spent time as a guest of the state.

We learned that it wasn't the best word to use, and he learned that it's not just people in jail who can punch on.

2 upvotes on reddit
Prodicaljunk · 3 months ago

Nah was told when working up in Rocky, with some ex cons that it was a no no word.

1 upvotes on reddit
TheRegulator81 · 3 months ago

Definitely depends on context for sure, however plenty of people out there lacking in brain cells who take it as a jab, so it will mostly be interpreted as a negative. That said though, a good mate of mine used to be a boxer and he would call us that as a term of endearment, so yeh, context matters, but most rednecks will take it as a slur.

1 upvotes on reddit
B
Boatster_McBoat · 3 months ago

It's all in how it's said, and who it's said to

8 upvotes on reddit
GolfExpensive7048 · 3 months ago

“Yeah mate I wouldn’t be doing that. “

If a local says that to you, listen and you’ll be alright.

22 upvotes on reddit
No_Seat8357 · 3 months ago

If an aussie ends a word in "o" that's probably a contraction so just stop and think for a second and it will probably come to you.

22 upvotes on reddit
See 12 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [3]

Summarize

Who has some good trivia on the etymology of Aus slang?

Posted by SurrealistRevolution · in r/AskAnAustralian · 1 month ago

I always like finding out a word i've known and used all my life comes from rhyming. Squiz for a look: Look - Crook - Squizzy Taylor the crook - Squiz, Pom for English: Immigrant (ten pound immigrant)-Jimmy Grant - Pomegranate - Pom.

I often get Poms claim Seppo is their one as they are unaware that rhyming slang is also a thing here. A shitload of convicts and soldiers were Cockney.

An etymology i wonder about is Flogger. The line "and shoot the Floggers down" from Jim Jones in Botany Bay has me wondering if it comes from the flogger of convicts.

3 upvotes on reddit
11 replies
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11 replies
johann4orty5ive · 1 month ago

Durrie - Slang term for cigarette. Comes from the Bull Durham brand of tobacco

2 upvotes on reddit
beebeehappy · 1 month ago

I have a good book about this: The Story of Australian English by Kel Richards.

2 upvotes on reddit
SurrealistRevolution · OP · 1 month ago

oh true that sounds great

I'm keen on this one too

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/thieves-cant-in-convict-era-australia

1 upvotes on reddit
beebeehappy · 1 month ago

I looked in that book to see if any of those words had a good story. ‘You’re as crook as Rookwook’ (a Sydney cemetery) was about the only one of note.

2 upvotes on reddit
beebeehappy · 1 month ago

Great article! Thanks

2 upvotes on reddit
M
MisterNighttime · 1 month ago

Lily On The Dustbin by Nancy Keesing is a great read too.

1 upvotes on reddit
M
MisterNighttime · 1 month ago

The advertising slogan for Clayton‘s non-alcoholic liquor was “the drink you have when you’re not having a drink“, which turned into an expression using Clayton‘s to mean a substitute or perhaps a cheat. “The (thing) you have when you’re not having a (thing).”

I always liked the expression “you’ve got Buckleys“, meaning you’ve got no chance, as in “you’ve got Buckleys of getting anything out of me before I’ve had coffee in the morning“. Comes from an old Sydney department store named Buckleys and Nunn, which gave rise to the expression “you’ve got two chances, Buckley‘s and none “ which then shortened to the version I quoted.

2 upvotes on reddit
TallShanks · 1 month ago

Wait, what? This has no relationship to convict William Buckley's amazing odds of living and being a liaison between aboriginal communities and the British? Thought I heard that somewhere 

1 upvotes on reddit
Regular_Actuator408 · 1 month ago

That’s what I learnt too! Never heard of the Sydney dept store version. 

1 upvotes on reddit
Due-Fennel9127 · 1 month ago

be careful of folk etymologies, they'd be rife with this kind of thing

3 upvotes on reddit
Blitzer046 · 1 month ago

I've always liked Struth which is a shortening of 'God's Truth'. Not that anyone really uses it these days.

1 upvotes on reddit
See 11 replies
r/MrInbetween • [4]

Summarize

Being from North America, I needed to get on my phone and google like every 15 minutes lol.... so many Aussie slang terms

Posted by Gudkovich · in r/MrInbetween · 16 days ago
78 upvotes on reddit
12 replies
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12 replies
DIYnivor · 16 days ago

I think the Aussies have slang terms for everything. I'm hungry for some dim sum. Those are dimmies! I need to use the bathroom. That's a dunny!

22 upvotes on reddit
AddlePatedBadger · 16 days ago

Lots of words for dunny. Thunderbox. Long drop. Room with a view.

2 upvotes on reddit
MrBowls · 16 days ago

Shitbox, shithouse, piss trough

2 upvotes on reddit
Gudkovich · OP · 16 days ago

Jack or dog Holden Boot Cuppa

So many small things

3 upvotes on reddit
Infinite_Dig3437 · 16 days ago

Jack - police

Dog - criminal informant

Holden - make of car. Aust arm of General Motors

Boot - trunk

Cuppa - cup of tea (also can mean coffee)

Dimmie - dim sim, fried / steamed meat and cabbage type of dumpling.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sim

11 upvotes on reddit
W
wahroonga · 16 days ago

Too many dimmies will have you on the dunny in the servo all arvo…

23 upvotes on reddit
zoidberg_doc · 16 days ago

Dimmy’s are dim sims which are different to dim sum

31 upvotes on reddit
ohpee64 · 13 days ago

Dim sum is like our yum cha

2 upvotes on reddit
Resident-Site1997 · 16 days ago

You'll get used to the slang.......champ.

54 upvotes on reddit
O
ohyoumad721 · 16 days ago

I'm on smoko leave me alone

31 upvotes on reddit
O
ohyoumad721 · 16 days ago

All I want, all I need, all I crave is a good pub feed.

8 upvotes on reddit
CatLikeThief44 · 16 days ago

Thanks champ

22 upvotes on reddit
See 12 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [5]

Summarize

Need help with Aussie slang!

Posted by None · in r/AskAnAustralian · 8 months ago

[deleted]

2 upvotes on reddit
7 replies
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7 replies
Stunning_Yak8714 · 8 months ago

Did he mean Togs, as in bathers/swimwear? Totes would mean a bag.

7 upvotes on reddit
MissionAsparagus9609 · 8 months ago

If they signed off how is there a spelling mistake? Togs ? In some states means swimwear

3 upvotes on reddit
L
link871 · 8 months ago

Signed-off orally, not in writing

1 upvotes on reddit
MissionAsparagus9609 · 8 months ago

Xmas bonus?

1 upvotes on reddit
M
miletest · 8 months ago

Maybe it said Togs

4 upvotes on reddit
SlamTheBiscuit · 8 months ago

Totes might mean bring a bag with your swim stuff. If it's togs then it's your swimwear

3 upvotes on reddit
Flat_Ad1094 · 8 months ago

I'd take it to mean bag with Swimsuit, Towel, hat etc.

4 upvotes on reddit
See 7 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [6]

Summarize

Slang Word?

Posted by jackthebird1 · in r/AskAnAustralian · 3 months ago

I'm from The Netherlands and travelled Australia in 2004 for a year. Reading back some old emails and a friend from Australia says at the end of an email: Take it easy goog.

so what does goog mean?

26 upvotes on reddit
12 replies
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12 replies
slayslewslain · 3 months ago

Goog is short for googy egg. Term of endearment, maybe not as common these days, but my sister calls me that sometimes.

74 upvotes on reddit
jackthebird1 · OP · 3 months ago

Thank you. We were friends. Both construction workers. Regional Queensland Mount Isa. 20 years ago. He also called me Foreskin Ned. Lets not get into that hahaha

40 upvotes on reddit
Lhunathradion · 3 months ago

I'm from out that way. My grandmother taught me 'I'm as full as a goog' when we can't eat anymore. Obviously done while sticking your guts out and giving them a rub in reponse to someone offering you more food 😆 or as a loud declaration when your done eating...

But yeah, it's a term of endearment towards you 👍🏻

28 upvotes on reddit
T
Tojo1976 · 3 months ago

could be rhyming slang as well - if your name is ned or rhymes with ned foreskin ned / googy egg its not too much of a leap.

10 upvotes on reddit
YouAreSoul · 3 months ago

"Well, fuck me dead," said Foreskin Ned, the bastard from the bush.

45 upvotes on reddit
TheDeterminedBadger · 3 months ago

This is correct, goog means egg, and calling someone an egg or a good egg is a term of endearment.

14 upvotes on reddit
TrafficImmediate594 · 3 months ago

I remember when I was little my grandmother used to use that term in the literal sense for an actual boiled eggs for breakfast " How about a googy egg?" I always assumed googy meant gooey

1 upvotes on reddit
Kailynna · 3 months ago

You're an egg - a good egg your friend regarded as family. He will have been missing you.

18 upvotes on reddit
jackthebird1 · OP · 3 months ago

Thank you. The Australian people were very nice to me.

9 upvotes on reddit
ChildhoodSea9672 · 3 months ago

goog =egg. someone we like we would refer to as a good egg

6 upvotes on reddit
ExpensiveFuel5050 · 3 months ago

Goog I thought it was good egg not just egg either way it's a nice thing :)

4 upvotes on reddit
MrsAussieGinger · 3 months ago

Definitely means you're a good egg. Abbreviation for a googy egg, term of endearment.

24 upvotes on reddit
See 12 replies
r/AustralianNostalgia • [7]

Summarize

Australian Slang Terms

Posted by 1Chef1 · in r/AustralianNostalgia · 4 months ago

I’m looking for some good Australian slang terms or phrases that will shock an Australian friend of mine that I know.

19 upvotes on reddit
12 replies
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12 replies
Toondragoonloon · 4 months ago

Just say "Thanks, champ" any time he does anything for you

16 upvotes on reddit
VixenReverie · 4 months ago

Say it to your wife. Goes down a treat. Also husband. Works with 'mate'

1 upvotes on reddit
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willy_quixote · 4 months ago

Agree. Someone wrote on the internet that it was an 'Army expression' - I was in the Army from 1991 - 2012 and never heard it said.

I've lived in every state in Australia except SA and I've never heard it said.

I think it's recently manufactured or sprang from a small pocket of Australia recently.

2 upvotes on reddit
3HandsOfTruth · 4 months ago

If you're thirsty, usually applied to wanting a beer:

Dry as a dead dingo's donger

Dry as a nun's nasty

17 upvotes on reddit
K
kearkan · 4 months ago

The real Aussie would just say drier than a nuns cunt.

If the goal is shock that'll work.

6 upvotes on reddit
Livid-Cat4507 · 4 months ago

Couldn't organise a root in a brothel. Couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery.

30 upvotes on reddit
nighthawk580 · 4 months ago

Couldn't run a 2 hole kindergarten shithouse.

The most useless prick that God ever shovelled guts into.

Couldn't run out of sight on a dark night

Couldn't punch a hole through the skin on his custard/ soup

Wouldn't know a tram was up him unless the conductor rang the bell.

Useful as a chocolate teapot

Wouldn't know his arse from his elbow/ shit from clay.

Full as a state school

Smoking like a bushfire

God there are hundreds more. My father in law was absolutely full of them.

7 upvotes on reddit
ritchonlaurina · 4 months ago

My mum always says ' couldn't run a chook raffle'

5 upvotes on reddit
DarkSkyStarDance · 4 months ago

Couldn’t run a choko vine up a dunny

11 upvotes on reddit
K
kearkan · 4 months ago

I used it at work once (in Ireland). And got an assortment of looks from shock, to nothing, to complete meeting halting laughing.

3 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 4 months ago

I've never heard this expression either, but Margo Robbie has said it/explained it in a couple of interviews. Must be a phrase from where she's from.

2 upvotes on reddit
DrMantisTobboggan · 4 months ago

I have a mate who’s been saying this for at least 20 years.

3 upvotes on reddit
See 12 replies
r/AskReddit • [8]

Summarize

Aussies of Reddit - what Aussie slang do you use the most?

Posted by Complex_Strength_265 · in r/AskReddit · 8 months ago
3 upvotes on reddit
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1 replies
I
IPostSwords · 8 months ago

Yeah nah.

1 upvotes on reddit
See 1 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [9]

Summarize

Why do Aussies like to abbreviate so many words?

Posted by hot-dog-gorl · in r/AskAnAustralian · 2 years ago
135 upvotes on reddit
12 replies
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12 replies
llagnI · 2 years ago

Yep. If a word can be shortened and it still makes sense, the word didn't need to be that long to begin with.

90 upvotes on reddit
AussieExtreme · 2 years ago

McDonalds become Macca's just way easier

1 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 2 years ago

Aussies are a generally practical people. So that checks

41 upvotes on reddit
Z
ze_boingboing · 2 years ago

or simply, 'coz'.

31 upvotes on reddit
_pewpew_pew · 2 years ago

There’s number plate here in Darwin that says ‘Ken Oath’ 😂

32 upvotes on reddit
M
MicksysPCGaming · 2 years ago

Why use many word when few word do job?

27 upvotes on reddit
NeptunianWater · 2 years ago

See (sea?) world.

1 upvotes on reddit
K
Kementarii · 2 years ago

Less you open your mouth, the less flies get in. (Explains the accent also)

Oh shit, my wine glass is full of fruit flies.

219 upvotes on reddit
Loch32 · 2 years ago

Why use lot word when few word do trick?

1 upvotes on reddit
theblackaudi · 2 years ago

I was genuinely trying to think of a smart ass reply to shorten ‘dunno’, and it took me way too long to realise that’s already one.

5 upvotes on reddit
Historical-Duty2059 · 2 years ago

but why do most say "Quarter past 3" instead of just saying 3:15?

1 upvotes on reddit
LadyKataka · 2 years ago

That could be a Klingon name. xD

1 upvotes on reddit
See 12 replies
r/AskAnAustralian • [10]

Summarize

Give me your best slang

Posted by CB53WER · in r/AskAnAustralian · 2 years ago

I’ve heard “we’re not here to fuck spiders”, what else have you got?

3 upvotes on reddit
8 replies
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8 replies
[deleted] · 2 years ago

The only time I've ever seen or heard "we're not here to fuck spiders" is on Reddit when people ask about Aussie slang.

2 upvotes on reddit
Dat610 · 2 years ago

Can confirm that I use this regularly at work, along with "Do the Russian Dance," meaning the fuckoffski

1 upvotes on reddit
tazzietiger66 · 2 years ago

"Six pack short of a slab" which means someone who is not all there mentally

2 upvotes on reddit
Adriank92 · 2 years ago

Whadaryatalkinabeet

3 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 2 years ago

Maichyagoddabibluddijogan!

1 upvotes on reddit
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WadjulaBoy · 2 years ago

An 80+ yo next door neighbor and I were having a chat over the fence, he was telling me how shitty his day had been, I said you must have had a run of bad luck.

"Luck? If it was raining pussies I'd get an asshole!" was his response.

TBH he didn't use "pussies"

6 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 2 years ago

Probably didn't use "asshole" either.

1 upvotes on reddit
WokSmith · 2 years ago

I'm so hungry that I'd eat the arsehole out of a low flying duck.

9 upvotes on reddit
See 8 replies

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Related

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AI Answer

🤖

Australian slang terms list

Here’s a list of popular Australian slang terms and their meanings:

  1. Arvo - Afternoon
  2. Bogan - An unsophisticated person, often associated with lower socio-economic status.
  3. Chockers - Very full or crowded.
  4. Fair dinkum - Genuine or real; often used to affirm something.
  5. G’day - Hello; a common greeting.
  6. Maccas - McDonald's.
  7. Mozzie - Mosquito.
  8. Ripper - Excellent or fantastic.
  9. Sanga - Sandwich.
  10. Servo - Service station or gas station.
  11. Stoked - Very pleased or excited.
  12. Thongs - Flip-flops or sandals.
  13. Togs - Swimsuit.
  14. Ute - Utility vehicle or pickup truck.
  15. Yarn - A story or tale, often a long or exaggerated one.

Takeaway: Australian slang can be quite colorful and varies by region. Familiarizing yourself with these terms can enhance your understanding of Australian culture and make conversations more enjoyable. If you're planning to visit or interact with Australians, using a few of these terms can also help you connect better!

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