Yes, we speak the same language but as an American living in Australia I find myself asking for linguistic clarification all the time.
“Can I pass the, what?…What did you just call him?…”
Aussie English is much closer to British English than American English is, but like us they’ve put their own spin on things, often truncating words by adding an -o or -ies at the end.
Here are some of the words or phrases I commonly hear:
Aussie – American
How ya going? – How are you doing?, How are you?
good on ya – well done, good for you
have a yawn – talk
she’ll be right – it’ll be okay
that’s alright – response to thank you
heaps – a lot, a bunch
mate – friend
reckon – think, agreement
piss – beer
get pissed – get drunk
have the shits- get upset, get pissed
too easy – that was simple
ratbag – trouble maker
root – fuck
rubbish – trash, bullshit, not very good
partner – boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance, spouse, same-sex lover
legs eleven – long, sexy legs that go all the way up to heaven
arvo – afternoon
whinge – complain
duner – comforter, blanket
i’m shouting – i’m buying, my treat, it’s on me
skull – chug (a drink)
boot – trunk
bonnet – hood
rego – register (car, etc.)
stuffed – messed up, full, fucked up
sunnies – sunglasses
uni – university
DNM – deep and meaninful (conversation)
tea – supper
lift – elevator
chemist – pharmacy
bottle shop – liquor store
serviette – napkin
takeaway – take out, leftovers
lolies – candy, sweets
gone 0ff (food) – spoiled
Maccas – McDonald’s
feed – meal
esky – cooler
flake – shark meat
avos – avocado
holiday – vacation
ambo – ambulence
cozzie – swimsuit
bikki – biscuit
brekkie – breakfast
billy – bong toke
bloke – guy, man’s man
Brizzie – Brisbane
chook – chicken
jumper – sweater
doodle – penis
doco – documentary, document
sheila – woman (derogatory)
The postcard I sent my mom during my first trip to Australia. Her name is Sheila.
footy – league rugby
old lady – mom
old man – dad
oldies – parents
pokies – poker machines, gambling slot machines
missus – wife, girlfriend
grouse – good, cool, awesome
joey – baby kangaroo
chubby – boner
journo – journalist
knock – criticize
mozzie – mosquito
no dramas – no worries
op shop – thrift store
petrol – gas
servo – gas (petrol) station
carton – case of beer
spunk – stud, babe
stickybeak – nosy person
tinny – small aluminum boat
ute –pickup truck
knackered – tired
grog- alcoholic drink
tomato sauce- ketchup
poof – gay man
nic- condition
