Visitors and tourists will hear many terms and references with that British flavor, but like most countries Australia has developed its own very distinct slang. Aussie-speak is fun, colorful and sometimes difficult to understand!
In Oz – Australia, God’s country – many everyday expressions are a puzzle to outsiders, but they are always ridgy-didge, original and genuine! When Aussies speak to each other they use a lot of made-up words and expressions unique to the country. This slang is called Strine, which is also what Australians call each other. It’s a short version of the way native Aussies pronounce the name of their country: Aw-strine.
Movies, film and music have introduced the world to Aussie-speak so many terms have become more familiar throughout the world. Good Onya as congratulations and well done, referring to a woman as a sheila and a man as a bloke, lollies for sweet treats and tucker for food, barbie for a barbeque. Other Strine terms can be puzzled out by taking the word in context, but some just leave visitors perplexed! If an Aussie promises to give you a ring-tingle then expect to get a phone call! Some favorite Strine:
Offsider – an assistant
Bonzer – excellent, great
Bludger – lazy person
Give it a burl – try it
Snag – a sausage
Snook – a person who complains constantly
Hit your kick – open your wallet, pay
Dinky-di – the real thing
Wowser – a prude or spoilsport
In Australia, you never want to be called a yobbo (uncouth person) or a Box of Blowflies (ugly as a box of blowflies – that’s really ugly) but if you are grouse (outstanding, tremendous) it’s a very sincere compliment. When you have a yarn with an Aussie, be sure to enjoy the chat and learn something new, then bid them goodbye and “see you later” with a friendly Hooroo. Maybe you will lob in to see them again sometime!
