Australian Slang

What are popular Australian sayings and expressions?

Australian English is justifiably notorious for its colourful and seemingly endless collection of slang and sayings. Like all languages Aussie English is growing and changing with the times. Here's a list of basic slang you might need to know.

Pile on the Australian slang... Be sure to add other fun sayings you encountered in your Aussie travels--just click EasyEdit to add them to this page. Or, add a comment.

Aussie - Australian.

Barbie - Barbecue. “Let’s go down to the beach and have a barbie.” Also, “He’s a few snags (sausages) short of a barbie” is used to describe someone who is a little crazy.

boot - Slang for trunk of the car "Put your packages in the boot."

cooee Originally a call used by Aborigines in the bush, it is now used by all Australians. The Australian saying to be “within cooee” is to be in earshot.

digger Originally a miner in the goldfields, now used to refer to an Australian soldier.

garbo Australian slang for garbage man.

Howzat! How’s that! Slang request for approval. In cricket it’s used to request dismissal of a player. “Howzat?”

iceberger Someone who swims during winter in unheated water, usually in the ocean. Members of the Bondi Icebergs Club are well known for their mid winter frolics in a sea water pool filled with blocks of ice.

jumper A sweater.

knock-off The end of the work day. “It’s knock-off time.”

lamington Sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and coated in grated coconut. They are supposed to have originated in the Brisbane kitchens of Charles Wallace Baillie, and named after Baron Lamington, who was Queensland Governor from 1895 to 1901.

mozzie Australian slang for mosquito.

no worries Don’t worry, everything is okay.

ocker An uncultivated Australian. Easily identified by their navy cotton singlet or tee-shirt, stubbies or rugby shorts and thongs. Used in the same way as red neck in the U.S.

pollie Slang for politician. Australians, like most people, don’t hold “bloody pollies” in high regard.

ringer In sheep country a ringer is the fastest shearer; in cattle country he’s the best stockman.

sheila A young girl or woman. “She’s a pretty grouse sheila.” Less popular today in light of feminism.

turps Alcoholic liquor. “Let’s have a night on the turps.”

Uey Also, uy and youee. To “chuck a Uey” is to make a U-turn while driving.

Vegemite Sometimes referred to as Australia’s national food. Loved by all true blue Aussies, Vegemite is a brown yeast extract spread on toast and sandwiches.

whacker An Australian saying for someone who is a fool. A general term of abuse.

youse Slang for plural you. “Why don’t youse come over for a cuppa this arvo.”


tea Aussies call dinner 'tea'. Don't get confused....