| a bit rough (adj) | something sub-standard "Your work is a bit rough." |
| abattoir (n) | slaughterhouse |
| Abo (n) | derogatory term for Aboriginal |
| Aborigine (n) | indigenous Australians Latin: "from the beginning" |
| ace (adj) | great "That's ace!" Used in Melbourne. |
| aggro (adj) | Aggravated, aggressive "He's acting kind of aggro." |
| airy fairy (adj) | wishful thinking, unrealistic |
| all the go (adj) | the latest thing, very popular "The new Holden is all the go." |
| always in the shit (adj) | always in trouble |
| anticlockwise (adj) | counterclockwise |
| anti-social behavior (adj) | Hooliganism, disruptive actions (also known as "hooning") anything from hot-rodding to being drunk in public, painting graffiti, harassing oldies, etc. |
| ant's pants (adj) | real good, the best |
| Any joy there? | Had any success? |
| apples, she'll be (adj) | alright, it'll be OK also apps |
| arc up (v) | to get mad "Look out, or I'm going to arc up." |
| agry-bargy (adj) | argument |
| arse (n) (pronounced ass) |
ass |
| arsey (adj) | lucky |
| arvo (n) (pronounced avo) |
afternoon |
| as cross as a frog in a sock (adj) | angry |
| a sparrow's fart (n) | dawn "I'll wake you at a sparrow's fart." |
| at the end of the day | when all is said and done |
| at the mo (adj) | at the moment |
| Aussie (n) | Australian |
| Aussie salute (v) (n) | waving flies from in front of your face |
| autumn (n) | fall (The word "fall" is not used.) Leaves don't seasonally fall off eucalyptus trees. |
| average (adj) | mediocre "The meal was pretty average." |
| B & S (n) | Bachelor and Spinsters Ball A drinking and dancing party for single people, usually in rural areas. |
| back foot, on the (adj) | being defensive, under attack "The accused politician was on the back foot." |
| back-to-front (adj) | opposite |
| backy (n) | tobacco "Got any backy?" |
| backyard job (n) | improper or illegal job |
| bad trot (adj) | a period of bad luck "I've had a bad trot this week." |
| bagging (v) | giving someone a hard time |
| bags (v) | claim (kid's term) "I bags the front seat." |
| bail up (v) | a hold up, to corner someone |
| ball and chain (n) | wife |
| balls-up (adj) | screw-up, mistake |
| ball-tearer (adj) | something really special |
| Banksia (n) | a flowering tree indigenous to Australia |
| barney (n) | a fight |
| bash (v) | to try something "I'll give it a bash." |
| bashed (v) | hit, battered, assaulted "The man was bashed in the robbery." |
| battler (n) | someone working hard but barely making it |
| beaut, beauty (adj) | great, real good "That car's a real beaut!" "You little beauty!" |
| beavering (v) | working hard |
| bee's dick, a (adj) | a small amount "Move it a bee's dick to the left" |
| berko (adj) | angry |
| biffo, biff (v) (adj) | a fight "I gave him the biff." "We had a bit of a biffo." |
| big note, to (v) | to boast or brag "Sean was big noting himself again." |
| bird (n) | girl, gal From British slang. |
| bit of a train smash (adj) | a disaster, something that doesn't work well, a mistake "The job was a bit of a train smash." |
| bits (n) (adj) | pieces "Pick up all the bits." |
| bits and bobs (adj) | miscellaneous things |
| bizzo (n) | business "Mind your own bizzo." |
| bloke (n) | man, guy, fellow "He's a good bloke." |
| bloody (adj) | very, also an expletive "That bloody fool!" |
| Bloody oath! | "Very true!" |
| blow in (adj) | someone unexpected and uninvited |
| blue (n) | a fight |
| blue, make a (adj) | make a mistake |
| bob-a-job (n) | An odd-job performed by a kid for a neighbor, usually for a small amount. A bob is slang for a pound, the Aussie denomination of money before switching to the dollar in 1966. |
| Bob's your uncle | and there you have it, a done deal |
| bodgy (adj) | bad quality, worthless |
| bog standard (adj) | ordinary, basic, unadorned "His Holden was bog standard." |
| bogan (n) | a low-life person |
| bonzer (adj) (pronounced bon-za) |
great |
| boofhead (n) (adj) | idiot |
| boomerang (adj) | loaned item that hasn't been returned |
| boondy (n) | (Western Australian term) dirt clod "I chucked a boondy and hit him in the eye." |
| bossy boots (adj) | pushy person |
| bottler (adj) | something excellent |
| bounce (adj) | bully |
| bowled me over (adj) | surprised "You could have bowled me over." |
| box and dice (adj) | everything From "the whole box of dice." |
| brown-eyed mullet (n) | turd |
| Brownie Guides (n) | Brownies (first level of Girl Guides) |
| Buckley's, Buckley's chance (adj) | no chance at all "He hasn't got Buckley's chance of winning the Lotto." |
| bugger (v) (adj) | unpleasant person, affectionate term for someone, an exclamation of amazement "Bugger them all!" "He's a bugger." "I'll be buggered." |
| Bugger off! | "Go away!" |
| bull twang (adj) | lies |
| bumf, bumph (adj) | official documents, forms, toilet paper |
| bunfight (n) | argument, dispute, brouhaha |
| bunger (n) | firecracker (usually large and illegal), cigarette |
| bunged, bunky (adj) | broken "Bring that bunky regulator over here." |
| bung hole (n) | mouth "Put that in your bunghole!" |
| bunny (adj) | victim in a swindle |
| Bunyip (n) | legendary swamp monster, Aussie bogeyman |
| burl (v) | to try "Give it a burl." |
| bush oyster (n) | spit-out nasal mucus, a "loogy" |
| bush ranger (n) | outlaw |
| bush telegraph (n) | spreading rumors or gossip, the grapevine |
| bushie (n) (adj) | person who lives in the bush "He's a bit bushie." |
| busker (n) | street performer, usually paid by tips |
| bust-up | fight, brawl |
| busy as a cat burying shit (adj) | being busy |
| busy bee (n) | volunteer work party |
| butter up (v) | To fix a mistake you've made. |
| cack (v) | to laugh |
| cactus (adj) | dead "That car is cactus." |
| CALM (n) | Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management In 2007, changed to DEC, Department of Environment and Conservation. |
| Captain Cook (v) | a look (rhyming slang) "Go take a Captain Cook." |
| cark, carked, carked it (v) | to die "He carked it." |
| carn (v) | short for "come on" used as encouragement |
| carry on like a cat burying shit (adj) | very busy |
| carry on like a pork chop (v) (adj) | throw a fit about nothing |
| cat's piss, mean as (adj) | cheap, stingy |
| chalk and cheese (adj) | no comparison "The difference between Budweiser and Crown Lager is chalk and cheese." |
| chase him up (v) | look for him "I'll chase him up." |
| chasie (n) | tag (game of) |
| chat (n) | shit |
| chat up (n) | flirting talk "He was chatting her up." |
| cheek, cheeky (adj) | impudence, to show gall "The cheeky bastard stole my girl!" |
| cheerio | goodbye |
| cheers | thanks, good bye, also a drinking salute. |
| China (n) | old friend rhyming slang: China plate = mate |
| chin wag (n) (v) | a chat |
| chock a spaz (v) | throw a fit |
| chock-a-block (adj) | full "The theatre was chock-a-block." |
| chockers (adj) (pronounced chokkas) |
full (from chock full) "After that meal, I'm chockers!" |
| choke a darkie (v) | defecate |
| choof-off (v) | to go away quickly |
| chook raffle (n) | money raiser selling chicken Can also be used generically for any raffle. |
| Christmas on a stick (adj) | Sarcastic comment about someone who thinks he or she is special. "What do you think you are, Christmas on a stick?" |
| chuck a brown eye (v) | to hang a BA, to "moon" someone |
| chuck a sad (adj) | to be depressed |
| chuck a sickie (v) | To take a sick day from work, often when you're not sick. |
| chuck a wobbly (v) | throw a tantrum |
| chuffed (adj) | pleased and excited "He was chuffed about his promotion." |
| chukas | good luck |
| chunder (v) | throw up (from "watch under") "He got seasick and chundered." |
| clanger (n) | a lie, accidental insult, faux pas, embarrassing mistake |
| cloud cuckoo land (adj) | fantasy |
| clucky (adj) | feeling motherly A hen goes clucky when she begins to sit on her eggs. |
| cobber (n) | friend, mate old term, rarely used |
| codswallop | load of shit "Sounds like codswallop to me." |
| come a gutser (adj) | made a bad mistake, had an accident |
| come on like a raw prawn (adj) | being disagreeable |
| conchy (adj) | From "conscientious;", person who would rather study or work than play. |
| Cooee!(exclamation) | "Hey, where are you?? I'm over here!" A way of calling out to someone in the bush. |
| cooee (adj) | nearby, within ear shot "It's not within cooee of here." |
| corker (adj) | really good "This band is a corker!" |
| country cousin (adj) | a dozen (rhyming slang) |
| crack onto (v) | hit on someone romantically |
| cracked a spack (v) | throw a fit, go crazy, get very angry |
| crazier than a cut snake (adj) | crazy, in a friendly sort of way |
| Crikey! | "Wow!" |
| CUB (adj) | acronym for Cashed-Up Bogan A bogan (low-life) who's come into money and is indulging questionable tastes. |
| dab hand at (adj) | one who's good at something |
| Dad & Dave (v) | to shave rhyming slang |
| dag (n) | a funny character; a nerd; a goof-off; a bit of dung stuck to a sheep's behind |
| daggy (adj) | outdated "His clothes were daggy." |
| dear, dearer (adj) | expensive "That BMW is a bit dear." |
| dekko (v) | to look "Have a dekko at this." |
| der (adj) | phoney look of stupidity |
| dero (n) | derelict, homeless person, vagrant |
| despo (adj) | desperate |
| details (n) | personal information, (name, address, phone number, ID numbers, etc.) "Write down your details, mate." |
| dicky (adj) | defective "His heart was dicky since birth." |
| did a runner (v) | to leave unexpectedly, to abscond "He owed me money and did a runner." |
| diddled (v) | to trick someone out of something |
| dill (n) | an idiot "He's a dill." |
| dingo's breakfast (adj) | "a yawn, a piss and a look around." What you do in the bush after getting out of your swag. |
| dinkum (adj) | real, true |
| dinky di (adj) (pronounced dinky-die) |
real, genuine. "He's a dinki-di Aussie." |
| dipstick (adj) | an idiot, loser |
| do up (v) | to fasten "Do up your seat belt." |
| do your nut (v) | throw a tantrum |
| dob (v) | to tell on someone "He dobbed on me." |
| dodgy (adj) | not good, suspicious "His work is a bit dodgy." |
| dog's breakfast (adj) | a mess "You look like a dog's breakfast." |
| don't come the raw prawn (v) | "Don't try to play me for a fool." |
| done my dash (v) | "I'm finished; I already did it." "I've done my dash with marriage." |
| donkey's years (adj) | a long time |
| donnybrook (n) | a fight |
| Dorothy Dixer (adj) | an obvious or easily answered question Named after Dorothy Dix, an early 20th century American advice columnist. |
| down the gurgler (adj) | failure, down the tubes |
| drongo (adj) | idiot, dimwit |
| drop off the perch (v) | to die "Old Bob dropped off the perch last week." |
| drop your guts, drop lunch (v) | to fart |
| dropkick (n) | an idiot, someone no-one wants to hang around with |
| drum (n) (v) | a tip-off, inside information "Give me the drum." |
| dunny (n) | toilet usually, but not always, outdoor |
| durry (n) | cigarette, tobacco |
| Dutch oven (v) | To fart under the blankets. |
| earbash (v) | too much talk, non-stop chatter, nagging "She was earbashing me." |
| ears flapping (adj) | to listen intensely |
| easy on (v) | calm down |
| easy peasy (adj) | easy job or task |
| evo (n) | evening |
| fag (n) | cigarette |
| fair dinkum (adj) | the truth, genuine in an Aussie sense |
| fair go (adj) | to give a good chance "Give it a fair go." |
| Fair suck of the sav! | "Give me a chance!" |
| fell off the back of the truck (adj) | something stolen |
| feral (n) | hippie; wild person; a wild-looking loud car with lights, bars, and stickers; wild kids |
| fete (n) | small event |
| figjam (adj) | acronym for: F**k, I'm Good, Just Ask Me, an egotist |
| fine (adj) | (weather) clear and sunny, used instead of "fair" "Tomorrow's weather will be fine." |
| fining (v) | clearing weather "It's fining up for the weekend." |
| first in, best dressed (adj) | first come, first served |
| flare (n) | a tiki torch, a boat signalling device |
| flash (adj) | fancy, stylish "His new clothes were flash." |
| flash as a rat with a gold tooth (adj) | a sleazy charmer |
| flat out like a lizard drinking (adj) | very busy |
| flat stick (adj) | full speed |
| flick (v) | to get rid of someone, usually a date "She gave me the flick." |
| flutter (n) | a bet |
| fob off (v) | to treat someone rudely |
| fossick (v) | to search, prospect "I was fossicking in the op shops." |
| four-by-two (n) (pronounced four-be-two) |
Jew Rhyming slang. A two-by-four piece of wood is what Australians call a four-by two, which rhymes with Jew. |
| fraka (v) (adj) | fracas |
| from go to whoa (adj) | from start to finish |
| front foot, on the (adj) | on the offensive, pushing ahead "The new manager is on the front foot." |
| fruit machine (n) | slot machine |
| funfair (n) | a small carnival |
| furphy (n) | unreliable rumor, tall tale, scuttlebutt Named after the Furphy water cart used in WWI; soldiers got the gossip while filling their water jugs. |
| gasper (n) | cigarette |
| g'day | good day standard Australian greeting |
| get nicked (v) | go away |
| get the arse (adj) | to get fired |
| getting up, getting the shits up (v) | to verbally abuse someone "I'm getting up him for the rent." |
| gin (n) | offensive name for an Aboriginal woman |
| ging (n) | slingshot |
| Girl Guides (n) | similar to Girl Scouts |
| give a gobful (v) | to verbally abuse |
| give 'em some stick (v) | verbally abusing someone |
| give it a burl (v) | try it out |
| give it a miss (v) | to avoid something |
| give them curry (v) | give them trouble |
| go like clappers, go like a shower of shit (v) | to go very fast |
| gob-smacked (adj) | very surprised, "mouth agape" "He was gob-smacked when he saw the bill." |
| God bless his cotton socks. | He's completely wrong, but we still love him. |
| gone troppo (adj) | tropical madness, having too a good time |
| good nick (adj) | good condition "The old ute's in good nick." |
| good oil (adj) | good information, useful idea |
| good on ya | well done, good job Often just onya is used. |
| Good Sammy's (n) | the Good Samaritan charity sometimes just "Sammy's" |
| good value (adj) | worthwhile "That ute is good value." |
| goss (n) (v) | gossip "What's the goss?" |
| grinning like a shot fox (adj) | happy, smug If you ever shot a fox, you'd know why. |
| grizzle (v) | to complain |
| grouse (adj) | good, cool |
| grundies (n) | underwear |
| guernsey (n) | jersey, shirt |
| gunya (n) | temporary shelter Aboriginal: ganya |
| gurgler (n) | the drain "When the wife and kiddies left, my life went down the gurgler." |
| gutzer, come a (v) | to have an accident; something that didn't work out |
| happy as Larry (adj) | very happy |
| hard word (adj) | a stern talking to "I gave him the hard word about that mistake." |
| hard yakka (n) | hard work |
| hasn't got a brass razzoo (adj) | one who has nothing "I haven't got a brass razzo." |
| have a burl (v) | give it a try |
| have a go (v) | to try |
| have a lend of (v) | take advantage of someone's gullibility |
| have a naughty (v) | to have sex |
| heaps (adj) | many, lots of "I have heaps of good ideas." |
| he's past it (adj) | over the hill |
| hire (n) (v) | rental, to rent "I dropped off the hire car." |
| his blood's worth bottling (adj) | a great guy |
| hissy fit (v) | to lose one's temper "He's just having a hissy fit. |
| holiday (n) | vacation "She's on holiday." |
| holus-bolus (v) | everything, all at once |
| home and hosed (adj) | finished, fixed, all done in a positive way |
| Hooly-dooly! | "My goodness!" |
| hoon (n) | hooligan Usually a 16?35-year-old male displaying anti-social behavior, often in an automobile. |
| hooroo | goodbye |
| horses for courses (adj) | a way of pointing out obvious differences. From "different horses for different courses." |
| hotchpotch (adj) | Aussie for "hodge podge", an odd collection |
| hotting up (adj) | heating up "The real estate market is hotting up. |
| How'd ya pull up? | "How did you do?" |
| How ya goin? | standard greeting, American equivalent: "How ya doing?" |
| hurl (v) | to vomit |
| I'll pay that (v) | i admit, you outsmarted me. |
| identity (adj) | person of note, celebrity "Prominent Perth identity Joe Blow was arrested." |
| I'll be stuffed! | expression of surprise |
| I'm stuffed (adj) | I'm tired. |
| irrits (v) | to irritate someone |
| it's a goer (adj) | it will work |
| it's a take (adj) | it's a fraud |
| it's gone missing (adj) | it's disappeared |
| I-tie (n) | Italian |
| it's gone walkabout (adj) | it's missing |
| jacking-up (v) | hassling someone |
| jumped-up (adj) | one full of self-importance, arrogant |
| kangaroos loose in the top paddock (adj) | describing a crazy person |
| keen (adj) | eager "He's keen about that property." |
| keen as mustard (adj) | enthusiastic |
| kero (n) | kerosene |
| kettle of fish (adj) | problem "That's a different kettle of fish" |
| king hit (v) | sucker punch, to "cold cock" someone "The hoon king hit him." |
| kip (n) | flat piece of wood used to toss the pennies in the game of Two Up |
| kip (v) | to nap |
| kit (n) (adj) | equipment "i bought all the latest kit." |
| knackered (adj.) | exhausted |
| knickers in a knot, don't get your (v) | to get upset |
| knob head (adj) | dick head |
| knobble (v) | interference causing someone to fail, also to stop a horse from whinnying |
| knock (v) | to criticise |
| knock back (v) | rejected, turned down "The proposal was knocked back." |
| knuckle dusters (n) | brass knuckles |
| Lady Muck (adj) | arrogant woman who puts on airs |
| lair, lairy (adj) | flashily dressed, brash, vulgar man, to dress someone or something in bad taste |
| lair it up (adj) | act brashly or vulgarly |
| larking around (v) | goofing off |
| larrikin (n) | harmless prankster, loud goof-off |
| lash (v) | to leave |
| laughin', we're (adj) | we got it made "We sell that house and we're laughin'." |
| leave it with me (v) | I'll do it. |
| let your hair open (v) | let your hair down, relax |
| lifestyle (adj) | leisure, quality of life, enjoying oneself |
| lift your game (adj) | improve |
| like a shag on a rock (adj) | something that sticks out like a sore thumb. |
| like a two-bob watch (adj) | something unreliable |
| like buggery (adj) | with lots of energy "Run like buggery!" |
| like the clappers (adj) | fast |
| liquid laugh (v) | vomit |
| littlies (v) | small children |
| little vegemites (adj) | children |
| lob, lob in (v) | drop in for a visit, often unannounced |
| loggerwood (n) | a person going nowhere, deadwood |
| London to a brick (adj) | absolute certainty |
| lost the plot (adj) | went crazy "He lost the plot and trashed the office." |
| lubra (n) | Aboriginal woman (from lubara, Aboriginal word from Tasmania) Not a popular word to use; American equivalent would be squaw. |
| mad as a cut snake (adj) | very angry |
| mail (n) | gossip "I've got the latest mail on her." |
| mallee bull, as fit as a (adj) | strong and fit The Mallee is tough cattle country in the dry southeast. |
| mate (n) | friend, buddy |
| mean (adj) | stingy |
| mean as cat's piss (adj) | mean, stingy, tight-fisted |
| mickey mouse (adj) | really good, but can have the opposite meaning in some regions |
| milko (n) | milkman |
| mob (n) | any group of people (not necessarily harmful); a herd of kangaroos |
| money for old jam (adj) | an unexpected gift |
| money for old rope (adj) | an unexpected gift |
| mongrel (adj) | bad person or thing |
| moot (n) | jamboree for older Boy Scouts (Rovers) |
| much of a muchness (adj) | much the same |
| mug (adj) | friendly insult |
| mull (n) | marijuana |
| mull up (v) | roll a joint and smoke it |
| munted (adj) | messed up |
| naff (adj) | something trendy, but can have opposite meaning. |
| narked, narky (adj) | annoyed, short-tempered |
| neck yourself (v) | to commit suicide |
| new chum (adj) | immigrant, new arrival |
| nick off | go away, get lost used as an order or request |
| nick over (v) | go there "I'll nick over to the bottle shop for a slab of stubbies." |
| niggle, niggling (adj) | minor complaint, pain, inconvenience |
| nipper (n) | young surf lifesaver, little kid |
| nobble (v) | to tamper with or damage |
| no drama (adj) | one level up from no worries |
| no great shakes (adj) | not outstanding |
| no-hoper (n) | a loser |
| nong (adj) | slow-witted person |
| no object (adj) | no problem |
| not a patch on (adj) | not as good as "He doesn't have a patch on you." |
| not fussed (adj) | not worried |
| not in a pink fit (adv) | not until hell freezes over |
| not much chop (adj) | not very good |
| not on (adj) | not right, not happening, won't work |
| not on your nellie (adj) | no way |
| not the full quid (adj) | a way of describing an imbecile |
| no worries (adj) | OK, no problem |
| nuddy, in the (adj) | naked |
| ocker (n) | an unsophisticated person, a laid-back character, uncouth Aussie male |
| ockie strap (n) | bungee cord From "octopus." |
| off with the fairies (adj) | describing one who is a bit loony |
| offsider (n) | sidekick, assistant, helper |
| oil (adj) | information "Give the oil on that project." |
| oldies, olds (n) | adults, parents, seniors "Let's ask the olds if they know." |
| on a good lurk (adj) | on a good job |
| on the back foot (adj) | on the defensive |
| on the bones of his bum (adj) | destitute, broke |
| on the mend (adj) | getting better |
| on the nose (adj) | bad-smelling, stinky "Your dog's a bit on the nose." |
| on your bike (v) (pronounced onyerbike) |
get out of here, go away, get going |
| onya | short for "good on you," i.e., "well done" commonly used as a congratulation |
| open slather (adj) | a situation where there are no limits or constraints on behavior. "Liberalizing liquor store hours would give open slather to public drunkenness." |
| packing polenta (adj) | scared |
| paroo uppercut (adj) | to hit someone in the jaw with a 2 x 4 |
| Pat Malone (adj) | on my own, alone (rhyming slang) "I went with Pat Malone." |
| Pat the Rat (adj) | meddling neighbor (from a character in Aussie TV show "Sons and Daughters") |
| patch (n) | area, business "Tend your own patch." (Mind your own business.) |
| pavement pizza (n) | vomit |
| PCYC (n) | Police & Citizens Youth Club like the YMCA |
| pearler (adj) | of excellence "The batsman hit a pearler." |
| pear-shaped (adj) | a situation that's gone bad "When things go bad, they go pear-shaped." |
| pen (n) | slip (boating) "Tie up the boat in the pen." |
| piece of piss (adj) | something easy "That job's a piece of piss." |
| pig's arse (adj) (pronounced ass) |
I disagree "In a pig's arse!" |
| pig's bum (adj) | something that's not true |
| piker (adj) | willing outcast |
| pinch (v) | to steal "You pinched the last bickie." |
| pipped (adj) | marginally beaten for price, stolen, taken illegally |
| piss off (v) | go away |
| play funny buggers (adj) | to cheat, act stupidly |
| play over (n) | play date (kids) |
| pokies (n) | slot machines, poker machines, gambling machines |
| Pom, Pommy, Pommy bastard (n) | Anyone from England. There are numerous explanations. "Prisoner of His Majesty," "Port of Melbourne," "Permit of Migration," also rhyming slang: pomegranate (immigrant) |
| pommy shower (adj) | to use deodorant instead of bathing |
| pong (adj) | bad smell |
| poo (n) (v) | feces, from any species |
| poo tickets (n) | toilet paper |
| poor fist (adj) | a bad effort |
| pop (v) | to go "I'm going to pop over to the shops." |
| porky (adj) | a lie (rhyming slang: pork pie) "He told another porky." |
| port (n) | suitcase From portmanteau. |
| posh (adj) | fancy, elegant |
| pozzy, possie (adj) | position "What's your pozzy on that issue?" |
| pram (n) | stroller, baby buggy |
| prezzy (n) | gift, present |
| prolly (adv) | probably |
| puffed (adj) | tired "i was puffed after work." |
| pull your head in (v) | get real, |
| pull your socks up | get it together, improve |
| puncy (adj) | effeminate, weak |
| punt (v) | to gamble In Australian Rules Football, a punt is a kick at the goal. |
| punter (n) | paying customer, tourist, also a gambler "The punters rode the coach to the museum." |
| purler (adj) | something great |
| purple patch (adj) | things are going well, in a good place "I'm in a purple patch." |
| pusher (n) | child's stroller |
| put the wind up (v) | to urge someone on "I put the wind up him." |
| put some ginger into it | try harder |
| queue (n) (v) | the line to enter something, to line up "We got in the queue for the movie." |
| quids | something you feel strongly about "I wouldn't move for quids!" |
| rack off (v) | go away, get lost |
| Rafferty's Rules (adj) | no rules |
| rage (n) (v) | a party, to party |
| rapt (adj) | overjoyed "I'm rapt about it." |
| ratbag (adj) | mild insult, untrustworthy person "You old ratbag!" |
| raw prawn (v) | To bullshit someone, to be disagreeable, to act ignorant "Don't come the raw prawn with me!" |
| reffo (n) | refugee |
| rellie, rellies, relo (n) | relative(s) |
| results (adj) | final outcome |
| rev up (v) | to get mad |
| Richard Cranium (adj) | dickhead |
| ridgy-didge (adj) | something that's true, genuine |
| ripper (adj) | something outstanding |
| rock-up (v) | to arrive |
| rollie (n) | a "roll your own" cigarette |
| rooted (adj) | exhausted, ruined "I'm rooted." |
| rooting around (adj) | screwing around |
| ropable (adj) | very angry |
| rough as guts (adj) | bad, poorly made "That truck rides rough as guts." |
| rounds of the kitchen (v) | to tell someone off |
| Rovers (n) | designation for older Boy Scouts |
| RSL (n) | Returned Service League Australia's primary veteran's association |
| rubbery (adj) | unprovable, non-rigorous |
| rubbish, to (v) | to criticise |
| running around like a blue ass fly (adj) | running around like a chicken without a head |
| Salvos, Sally Ann (n) | Salvation Army |
| sarvo (n) | this afternoon contraction of this arvo |
| schmick (adj) | something that's real good "That's schmick!" |
| scoob (n) | marijuana cigarette |
| scorching (adj) | fast |
| Scotty (adj) | 's got no friends and never will |
| Scouts (n) | co-ed scouting in Australia, no Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts |
| scratchies (n) | instant lottery ticket |
| see your last gum tree (v) | to die |
| seppo (n) | an American (rhyming slang) Yank rhymes with septic tank, seppo is short for septic, hence seppo. |
| serve (v) | to tell one off "I served them up." |
| shaping up a beaut (adj) | turning out nicely |
| sheila (n) | young woman From Gaelic shaler. |
| she'll be right (adj) | it'll be OK |
| shirty (v) | to get upset "Don't get shirty." |
| shit house (n) (adj) | poor quality, toilet |
| shocker (adj) | a surprise "His appearance was a bit of a shocker." |
| shonky (adj) | dodgy, cheap, not right, unreliable |
| shot though (v) | to leave quickly "He was late for the plane, so he shot through the meeting." |
| short and curlies (adj) | pubic hairs "She got him by the short and curlies." |
| short listed (adj) | finalist "She was short listed for the Booker Prize." |
| short of numbers in the Upper House (adj) | stupid, low I.Q. |
| show pony (n) | show-off "He's a show pony." |
| sick (adj) | good "Hey, mate, that's sick!" |
| skite (v) | to brag |
| skittled (v) | physically knocked over "He got skittled by the car." |
| skiver (n) | person who dodges work |
| slash (v) | to urinate "Hold my beer while I take a slash." |
| slate (v) | to criticize "She slated me for being late." |
| sledge (v) | to make a derogatory remark, often amongst sports competitors, heckling |
| smack (v) | to spank someone |
| smash repairs (n) | auto body repair shop also panel beaters |
| smoko (n) | a work-break: cigarette, coffee, tea, etc. "I'm going for a smoko." |
| soft toy (n) | stuffed toy |
| sook (n) | wimp |
| sorted (v) | to arrange, fix, or solve something "Did you get your taxes sorted?" |
| spat it (v) | was very surprised From spat the dummy. A dummy is a baby pacifier. |
| speckie, speccy (n) | spectacular "The sky show was speckie!" |
| spew (v) | to throw up |
| spewing (adj) | very angry |
| spirit of salts (n) | hydrochloric acid |
| spit the dummy | to get upset A dummy is a baby pacifier. |
| spivs (adj) | assholes |
| splash the boots (v) | urinate |
| splashed out on (adj) | overspent "i really splashed out on her present." |
| spotto (adj) | spotless "i want the house spotto by the time I get back." |
| sprung (v) | caught doing something wrong |
| squiz (v) | to look "Take a squizz at that hoon." |
| standover man (n) | thug, strong-arm man, enforcer |
| stands out like a shag on a rock (adj) | it's obvious |
| stands out like dogs' balls (adj) | it's obvious |
| starkers (adj) | naked |
| steady on | get real |
| Stolen Generation (n) | Referring to the generation of Aboriginal children of mixed-blood who were forcibly taken from their families and raised as domestic servants. Most never saw their families again. This is blamed for the breakdown of the Aboriginal family. It is considered by most Australians as a national tragedy and disgrace. |
| Stone the crows! | "I'll be darned!" "Wow!" |
| stoush (n) | a fight |
| Strewth! | it's the truth, from "God's truth!" "Strewth, I'm dry!" |
| strife (adj) | trouble "That old car gave him strife." |
| Strike a light! | expression of amazement |
| Strine (n) | The word Australian, spoken with a thick accent. "That bloke speaks fair dinkum Strine." |
| stroppy (adj) | in a bad mood |
| stuffed (adj) | tired, also something that's broken "I'm stuffed." "That car is stuffed." |
| stuffed up, I'll be (adj) | expression of surprise |
| suss (v) | suspicious |
| suss out (v) | find out information |
| swag (adj) | a lot of something, plenty "The new Ford has a swag of extras." |
| swagman, swaggie (n) | tramp, hobo |
| Sweet Fanny Adams | nothing, (actually f**k all, FA, or Fanny Adams) |
| swish (adj) | good, in fashion (no gay connotation) "You look swish." |
| switched on (adj) | tuned in "He was switched on about the issues." |
| ta (interjection) | thank you imitation of baby talk |
| TAB (n) | Totalizator Agency Board, neighborhood legal? betting shop |
| tailor made (adj) | ready made cigarette not hand-rolled |
| taken the mick out of (v) | to make fun of someone |
| taking the piss (out of) (v) | to mock someone, to bring someone back to level |
| tall poppies (adj) | successful people |
| tall poppy syndrome (n) | Aussie habit of resenting and putting down successful people |
| tat (n) | tattoo |
| Technicolor yawn (v) | to vomit |
| teddy (n) | any stuffed toy not exclusively a teddy bear |
| Thank your mother for the lunch money. | "You've been taken advantage of." |
| the lot (n) | everything "In the divorce, she took the lot." |
| the whole box of dice (adj) | everything |
| thingo, thingy (n) | a thing, gizmo, watchamacallit |
| thisiv (n) | this afternoon For those too lazy to say sarvo. |
| tight arse (adj) | stingy person |
| throw a tanty (v) | throw a tantrum |
| throw a wobbly (v) | throw a tantrum |
| tickets (v) | bragging "You've got tickets on yourself." |
| tickety-boo (adj) | good, OK |
| timber getter (n) | logger |
| tin-arsed (adj) (pronounced assed) |
lucky |
| tinny (adj) | lucky "You tinny bastard!" |
| tip (n) | garbage dump "I took that load of rubbish to the tip." |
| toff (n) | upper class or richly-dressed person British slang |
| trouble and strife (n) | wife rhyming slang |
| true blue (adj) | patriotic Aussie |
| turfed (v) | thrown out "He got turfed out of the pub." |
| twenty to the dozen (adj) | to do something very fast |
| Two Up (n) | gambling game, tossing two coins into the air to see how they land Played in the bush and casinos. |
| Uncle Chester (adj) | child molester |
| unco (adj) | uncoordinated |
| up himself (adj) | inflated ego, also "head up his ass" "He's up himself." |
| vague out (v) | not paying attention |
| Vinnie's (n) | St. Vincent De Paul's charity |
| wack (v) | a try at something "I'll take a wack at it." |
| wag (adj) | amusing person |
| war paint (n) | woman's makeup |
| well turned out (adj) | well dressed |
| we're laughing (adj) | something that turns out well "Fix this car and we're laughing." |
| wet (adj) | the rainy season in the tropics |
| whacker (n) | an idiot you have no patience for |
| wharfie (n) | dock worker |
| What's the John Dory? | What's the story? rhyming slang |
| whilst (adj) | while |
| winding up (v) | to pull someone's leg "You're winding me up." |
| whinge (v) | to complain |
| whip hand (adj) | top position, really good at something "He's the whip hand on the farm." |
| white ant (v) | to undermine, sabotage |
| Who opened their lunch? (v) | "Who farted?" |
| Who's your daddy? | an insult |
| windy (v) | to fart |
| wobbly (n) (v) | to lose one's temper "He threw a wobbly." |
| wog (n) | immigrants from Southern Europe; flu or cold; insects. not considered a racist term as in the UK |
| won't be a minute | please wait |
| won't be a moment | please wait |
| won't be a sec | please wait |
| won't be a tick | please wait |
| woofy (adj) | something that isn't good |
| working bee (adj) | volunteer work party |
| wuss (adj) | coward |
| yabber (adj) | lots of talk |
| yakka (adj) | work "It's hard yakka." |
| yobbo, yob (n) | uncouth male |
| yodel (v) | vomit |
| yonks (adj) | a long time "It's been yonks since I've seen you." |
| You der! | "You idiot!" |
| you got told (v) | you got in trouble school kid talk |
| You little ripper! | exclamation upon hearing good news |
| youse | plural of "you" |
| Yowie (n) | mythical Australian monster, like Bigfoot |