The way Aussies speak is truly unique and quite often it is difficult for other cultures to understand exactly what it is we're rambling on about. ere at Wallaby Down, we're creating an ongoing list of colloquialisms from down under so you know exactly what we Crazy Australians are talking about!
The list below is far from complete. If you have any suggestions that you'd like to add to the list, send it in to us!
As dry as a dead dingo's donger
Conditions are dry; or I am Thirsty
Ace
Excellent
Arvo
Afternoon
Aussie
Australian person (pronounced "Ozzy"; not Awe-see)
Ay? / Eh?
Sorry, I didn't catch what you just said. Could you please repeat it?
Backhander
Sometimes used to describe hitting someone across the face or head with the back of your hand
Bangs like a dunny door in a storm
A repeating and annoying banging or slamming noise
Barby
Barbecue
Bar Flies
Old men who go to the pub and sit there for hours to talk and drink
Barrack
To follow and support a sports team - for example, "I barrack for the Fremantle Dockers"...
Bastard
A term of endearment among male friends: "How are ya, you old bastard?"
Beaut or Bewdy
Great or fantastic
Billabong
Watering hole; an oxbow lake
Bloody
Adjective meaning "very" - as in "I am bloody tired"...
Bludger
Layabout; lazy person
Bombed Out
Drunk
Bunyip
Mythical creature from the outback
Carked It
Died
Clacker
Pronounced "clacka" - usually refers to an anus, as in "Stick it up your clacker!"
Dag
Someone who is unfashionable, yet quirky - often used as a term of endearment
Dead Marine
Empty beer bottle
Digger
A soldier in the Australian Army
Dob, Dob in, or Dob on
To report someone; a "Dobber" is a snitch
Drop Bear
An aggressive mythical creature resembling a koala
Dunny
Toilet
Esky
Portable insulated cooler
Fair dinkum
True or genuine - the real deal; also used to describe a patriotic person
Far Out
Unbelievable
Freak Out
Excitably distressed
Garbage
I don't believe you
G'day
Hello
Give it a bash
Try it
Hoon
Idiot
Hooroo
I'm leaving - goodbye
It's gone walkabout
It's gone missing
Joey
Baby kangaroo
Kark It
To die
Larrikins
Harmless pranksters enjoying themselves
Like a fart in a fan factory
Disappeared without a trace
Loaded
Rich, wealthy
Mate
Friend
Mug
Fool
No Worries
No Problem; everything's fine
Old Bag
An old woman - usually the wife, or the mother-in-law
Piece of piss
Easy
Pub
Bar
Quid
Money / Cash
Rack Off
Get lost
Ratshit
Sick, unwell
Shout
Buy everyone drinks
Slab
Case of beer
Snags, or Snaggers
Sausages - real Aussie sausages
Technicolor Yawn
Vomit / Puke
True Blue
Genuine Aussie
Throw a Wobbly
To throw a temper tantrum
Ute
Utility vehicle - similar to a pickup truck
VB
Victoria Bitter - brand of beer
Veg out
Relaxing and taking it easy; usually in front of the TV
Whinge
Whine, complain
Wuss
Person who is afraid to do something, or afraid to take up a challenge
XXXX
Four X - brand of beer from Queensland
You dropped your guts
You farted
Zonked
Worn out, tired
