As an Australian, the two most common questions I get asked whilst aboard is how long is the flight to Australia. Almost immediately after people decide they can never travel that far. Shortly followed by can you please teach me some authentic slang words.
So, here are my favorite 21 Australian slang words in case you ever find yourself on that lengthy 21-hour flight to Straya (how us locals refer to home).
Hour one to five : The basics that you must know on arrival in order to avoid confusion
1. "How ya going?"
Common greeting asking how someone is
2. "Oi, mate"
A way to grab your friends attention or to say hello
3. “Heaps good”
Excellent
4. “Arvo”
Afternoon
5. “I’m buggered / knackered”
I’m exhausted
Hour six to 10 : very common, everyday words
6. “Good on ya”
Well done (often said ironically)
7. “Maccas”
McDonald's
8. “Cuppa”
A cup of tea
9. “Devo”
Devestated
10. “You beauty”
Hell yeah!
Hour 11 to 15 : Sleep deprivation starts to kick in around this time of the flight. However, I guarantee you people legitimately use these words
11. “Waffling on”
Talking too much
12. “It’s pissing down”
It’s raining heavily
13. “Yeah nah" and "Nah yeah”
No and Yes
14. “Bloody ripper”
Really Awesome
15. “She’ll be right”
She will be OK (often used to refer to anyone and anything)
Hour 16 to 20 : Unlikely to hear often but very fun to say
16. “It’s chockers in here”
It is very busy or full
17. “Trackie dacks”
Tracksuit
18. “Heckers”
A lot is happening
19. “Chuck a uey”
Make a U turn
20. “Such a dag”
Someone with no style however is usually like for that (my sister for example)
Hour 21 : The end is near
21. “Dusty”
Probably how you feel after a 21 hour flight, however more commonly used to refer to someone who is hungover
Australians do not believe in pronouncing words in full. So, abbreviate everything, add some of these slang words to your vocabulary and please refrain from saying "throw a shrimp on the barbie."
