Learning How To Be Australian
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Learning How To Be Australian

Aussie slang you'll learn and actually use

371
Learning How To Be Australian
google images


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!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56504
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36384
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958278
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188491
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments