For the last five months I have been living in a dorm at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. I knew coming into my study abroad adventure that Australians have loads of slang. What I didn't realize was how much slang they use on a daily basis. I never thought there would be a language barrier coming to Oz, but let me tell you, THERE 100% IS! Aussies love their slang, and when you ask them to define their slang they use more slang as a definition. CONFUSING! Well here is a guide to the most popular Aussie slang you will hear and actually use in the land down under.
1. Keen
“Get keen” gets yelled almost every weekend in the dorms. This word refers to being ready or excited to do something. “I am so keen for Mexican food tonight!” Trust me, it catches on.
2. Reckon
Reckon is used as a replacement for phrases like “I figure” and“I think.” “I reckon I use this word way too often now.”
3. Skull
Typical for college, this word means to chug the rest of your drink. Usually accompanied with the traditional Aussie drinking song someone may yell at you, “hey skull it, it’s time to go!”
4. Piss-cunning Legend
This is another one for the college drinking culture. A "piss-cunning
legend" refers to someone who can drink a lot of alcohol and still hold
himself or herself together. “Mike, you’re an absolute piss-cunning
legend mate!”
5. Tacivom
Often referred to as “pulling the trigger” or “boot and rally” in
American drinking culture. A tacivom specifically refers to a tactile
vomit, so that you can continue to drink. Ewww!
6. Hey?
This may not seem like slang, but here’s how the Aussies use this word;
“Wow that was a fun night, hey?” The word is used as a replacement to the
typical American “huh.” It is often used at the end of statements to
make it a question. “Kinda odd, hey?”
7. Thongs
The first time you hear someone say "hey mate, can you pass me my thongs?" you get a little confused. Don't worry, the Aussies don't want you to pass them their skimpy underwear. They mean "pass me my flip flops," what a relief! That could have been awkward.
8. Sunnies
This one is pretty self explanatory. The Aussies mean sunglasses when they use this term. "It's very bright outside, better grab my sunnies!"
9. Heaps
"I've got heaps of work to do for class." It means "a ton" or "a lot." This is probably one of my favorite slang words. "Learning all this slang is heaps of fun!"
10. Cheers
No, the Aussies don't mean it's time for a toast. Cheers is a slang word meant as a thank you or a goodbye. It is also often used as a tag line at the end of emails and messages. Like when someone passes you a napkin you would say "cheers mate."
11. Bogan
Bogan is a nicer way of saying something is what Americans would associate with trailer park trash. Its associated with low social status. Not the nicest slang term, but it is used very loosely in Australia. "Dude, button your shirt, you look bogan."
12. Toasties
My absolute favorite snack! Toasties are grilled cheeses. They often have ham and sometimes even tomato on them! "Hey guys, we gotta get back to the dorm for 1 a.m. toasties!"
13. Arvo & Avo
Arvo is Aussie slang meaning afternoon. "What are you up to this arvo?" Not to be confused with the ever so popular Avo, which means avocado in Aussie land. "I eat avo with every meal."
14. Stitch Up
A classic stitch up is similar to a joke. It also is often used to describe an incident when you got played or you played yourself. "Congrats you just played yourself." For example, your friend bought a hot dog for $5 and you went somewhere else and got the same thing for $10. That would be a classic stitch up.
15. Brekkie
The best meal of the day! This is the Aussie way of saying breakfast. “Hey, wanna go get some brekkie?"
Now that you've learned some crucial words in the Aussie dictionary, go see how many Americans you can confuse! Have heaps of fun, cheers mate!
