Since arriving in Australia, the thing I've noticed most is the Australian slang. It can be quite confusing if you're not used to it, which I definitely wasn't. I've picked up a lot in being here, and here are just a few slang terms. The main thing to know is that Australians shorten everything.
1. Brekkie.
Breakfast.
2. Arvo.
Afternoon. Not quite sure how this came to be as there is no v in it.
3. Avo.
Avocado. This one makes way more sense.
4. Sepo.
Study abroad/exchange student. This is an example of rhyming slang. It comes from septic tank, which rhymes with Yank, and it became shortened from there. Sepo does not only refer to Americans (where Yank comes from), but all study abroad students in general.
5. Thongs.
Flip flops. This one still confuses me, as I keep thinking people are talking about underwear.
6. School.
High school. You can't refer to all types of education as school as we do in America, or people get really confused.
7. Uni.
University. They don't refer to it as college.
8. College.
Residential college. Easy way to remember this: you live at a college (similar to a dorm), and you go to uni.
9. Pres.
Pronounced like preez. This what they call pre-gaming, or drinking before they go out for the night.
10. Mozzies.
Mosquitos. Again, with the shortening.
11. Macca's
McDonald's
12. Hungry Jack's.
Burger King. Not sure how this came to be. The signs actually say Hungry Jack's, while for Macca's, they actually say McDonald's on most signs.
13. Heaps.
A ton, a lot. You could say for example, "I had heaps of fun last night."
14. Togs/swimmers.
Bathing suit.
15. Goon.
Boxed wine. This is a favorite because simply put, it's cheap.
16. Vego.
Vegetarian
17. G'day.
Good day, hello. A general greeting.
18. Bikkie
Biscuit, a.k.a. cookie.
19. "How you going?"
How are you, how are you doing, how's it going? This one really threw me off for awhile.
20. Rockmelon.
Cantaloupe.
21. Sunnies.
Sunglasses.
22. Tomato sauce.
Ketchup. It tastes more watery, and in my opinion, is not as good. Our tomato sauce is called tomato paste. It is possible to find typical Heinz, but it isn't very common.
There are definitely more, but these are some to get by!
