Slang

I will include some basic Australian slang and focus on things that I hear often and some things that had me pretty confused at first. For Americans, the overall accent and speed that Australians speak may have you a little concerned at first, but don't worry, with a little practice you will fit right in. This is a growing list so if you have any words you are not sure about or can think to add please let me know!

• Arvo - Afternoon. I pronounce this "avo" and although my wife often asks me if I am talking about an avocado, this is how it sounds. You can say RV which means afternoon as well but I have yet to hear this one being used.
• Bathers - Bathing suit. This is one of the many words used for what I would call a bathing suit. You will also hear them referred to as togs, boardies (for guys), and my personal favourite....swimming costume. 
• Bikkie - Biscuit or cookie. Whenever someone offers you a bikkie....always say yes to maintain a strong international relationship.
• Bloody - Very. This is one of the most common slang words you will hear and is paired up with almost anything. 
• Bogan - Someone who takes little pride in his/her appearance. Where I am from, we would call this person a hick or a hillbilly. I often find myself using this word to define people and if you are really feeling bold you can say they are from boganville.
• Bottle-O - Liquor store. Unlike America, you can't buy beer, or sometimes liquor, from the supermarket so you have to go to a liquor store to get your fix. 
• Brekkie - Breakfast. You may notice that a lot of slang has this similar sound, pronounced ee, and is put on the end of a word (brekkie, bikkie, chrissie etc).
• Bush - hinterland, forest, anywhere without a town. This can also be used for someone who lives in the forest, bushie, or an animal that lives in the bush (bush turkey).
• Chrissie - Christmas. Since the season are opposite you will often find that Christmas in Australia is incredibly hot and often spent at the beach. 
• Dag - Funny person, nerd, goof. This generally means a funny person but can also be similar to a bogan when one is not looking their best. 
• Esky - Insulated container for food/drink. You will often hear someone with an esky being someone who is bringing beer or going to a barbecue. 
• Feral - Person with little or no class. This is an insult that is often used and a feral can be an individual often labelled as a bogan or dag as defined above
• Flick - Get rid of. This is commonly used to refer to relationships where, for example, she gave him the flick. 
• G'day - Hello or good day. The classic Australian greeting that you will definitely hear often when visiting. 
• Heaps - A lot of. An amount, as defined by heaps, can vary from person to person. 
• Hoon - Hooligan. In my experience this also defines the typical young guys that drive around like idiots in their customised cars. 
• Lollies - Candy or sweets. This is a bit misleading because it does not just mean lollipops it means pretty much all sweets or candy including chocolate. 
• Prezzy - Present or gift. Yet another example of a word shortened with the "ee" sound at the end. 
• Roo - Kangaroo. Some feral individuals might even try to sell you or get you to try "roo meat" but don't support the slaughter of these beautiful animals. 
• Rubbish - Garbage. Instead of the garbage label on public trash bins you will see it labelled rubbish. 
• Sunnies - Sunglasses. No matter where you end up or visit in Australia, you will definitely need a pair of nice sunnies. 
• Tradies - Tradesman or construction worker. You will often see tradies driving around their utes and looking pretty daggy. 
• Uni - University
• Ute - Utility or truck. Compared to America, the utes in Australia are quite small and often used by tradies.
• Yobbo - Person of lower class. Similar to a feral, dag, or bogan. I am really not sure about the difference between these people and to me they are all pretty much the same.