Fair Dinkum Aussie Slang Guide!

Introduction

G'day and welcome to your comprehensive guide to speaking like a true blue Aussie! This document will help you understand, appreciate, and correctly use Australian slang in everyday conversations. Whether you're a tourist planning to visit the sunburnt country or just someone who wants to understand what your Australian mates are on about, this guide has you covered.

Australian English is known for its unique vocabulary, distinctive accent, and casual attitude. It reflects Australia's laid-back culture, sense of humor, and historical influences. The Australian way with words often involves shortening terms, adding endings like '-o' or '-ie', and using colorful expressions that might seem baffling to outsiders.

Core Values of Aussie Communication

1. Informality and Casualness

Australians typically prefer informal communication and tend to speak casually even in professional settings. Hierarchy and formality are often downplayed.

2. Self-Deprecation and Humility

The "tall poppy syndrome" means Australians often downplay their achievements and respond to compliments with humility.

3. Directness with Humor

Aussies are typically straightforward but soften directness with humor.

4. Mateship and Inclusivity

Language that promotes equality and camaraderie is valued.

5. Resourcefulness and Resilience

Language often reflects a "can-do" attitude and ability to handle difficult situations.

Tone of Voice Guidelines

1. Keep It Casual

• Use contractions and informal language
• Address people by first names or nicknames
• Avoid overly complex vocabulary when simple words will do

2. Be Direct but Friendly

• Get to the point without unnecessary preamble
• Soften directness with humor or warmth
• Avoid being condescending or overly formal

3. Use Humor Appropriately

• Self-deprecating humor is welcome
• Light sarcasm is common but should never be mean-spirited
• Puns and wordplay are appreciated

4. Show Resilience

• Downplay difficulties ("She'll be right")
• Acknowledge challenges without complaint
• Use understatement for dramatic situations

5. Express Solidarity

• Use inclusive language ("we" instead of "I")
• Acknowledge shared experiences
• Avoid language that creates unnecessary division

Essential Aussie Slang Dictionary

Greetings and Basics

• G'day - Hello/Good day
• How ya going? - How are you?
• Mate - Friend (used for both genders)
• Cheers - Thanks/goodbye/congratulations/agreement
• No worries - You're welcome/it's fine
• Yeah, nah - No (contradiction)
• Nah, yeah - Yes (agreement)
• Reckon - Think/believe ("I reckon that's right")
• Fair dinkum - Genuine/real/true
• Too easy - No problem/easily done
• Catch ya - Goodbye
• Hooroo - Goodbye
• Ta - Thank you

People and Relationships

• Bloke - Man/guy
• Sheila - Woman (somewhat outdated)
• Fella - Man/guy
• Cobber - Friend
• Mate's rates - Discount for friends
• Bogan - Person considered unrefined or unsophisticated
• Larrikin - A playful troublemaker or mischievous person
• Drongo - Fool/idiot
• Galah - Fool/silly person
• Dag - Quirky, unfashionable person (affectionate)
• Ocker - Stereotypical uncultured Australian
• Battler - Hardworking person facing difficulties
• Fair shake of the sauce bottle - Give someone a fair chance

Daily Life

• Arvo - Afternoon
• Brekkie - Breakfast
• Barbie - Barbecue
• Bottle-o - Liquor store
• Servo - Gas/service station
• Maccas - McDonald's
• Stubby - Bottle of beer
• Slab - Case of 24 beers
• Sanger/Sambo - Sandwich
• Cuppa - Cup of tea
• Bickie - Biscuit/cookie
• Dunny - Toilet
• Loo - Toilet
• Thongs - Flip-flops
• Sunnies - Sunglasses
• Ute - Utility vehicle/pickup truck
• Esky - Cooler/ice box
• Doona - Duvet/comforter
• Bludge - Being lazy, avoiding work
• Chockers - Very full
• Flat out like a lizard drinking - Very busy
• Bloody - Very (intensifier)
• She'll be right - Everything will be fine
• Good on ya - Well done
• Fair go - Give someone a chance

Places and Locations

• The outback - Remote interior of Australia
• The bush - Countryside/rural areas
• Woop woop - Middle of nowhere
• Back of Bourke - Very remote location
• Billabong - Water hole
• Rellies - Relatives
• The CBD - Central Business District (downtown)

Expressions and Phrases

• Crack the shits - Get angry
• Chuck a sickie - Take a day off work (claiming to be sick)
• Chuck a U-ey - Make a U-turn
• Carry on like a pork chop - Make a scene/overreact
• Crikey - Expression of surprise
• Bloody oath - Absolutely/that's true
• Strewth - Expression of surprise or dismay
• Stone the flamin' crows - Expression of surprise (old-fashioned)
• Harden up - Don't be so sensitive
• Pull your head in - Stop being silly/calm down
• To have a blue - To have an argument or fight
• To spit the dummy - To lose your temper
• To crack onto - To hit on someone romantically
• Can't be bothered - Don't want to/too lazy to
• To have a gander - To have a look
• To give it a burl - To give it a try
• To tell a porky - To tell a lie

Profanity and Colorful Language

Note: Use with caution - context matters and these can be offensive in inappropriate settings

• Bugger - Mild expletive for when things go wrong
• Bloody hell - Expression of surprise or frustration
• Bastard - Can be offensive OR a term of endearment depending on context
• Bullshit - Untrue/nonsense
• Stuffed - Broken/ruined
• Gone to shit - Deteriorated badly
• Stuffed it up - Made a mistake/ruined something
• Buggered - Tired/exhausted OR broken
• Root - Sexual intercourse (avoid saying "root for a team" - use "barrack" instead)
• Piss off - Go away
• Taking the piss - Making fun of someone
• Shit house - Poor quality
• Dead set - Absolutely/truly

Pronunciation Guide

• Elongate certain vowels, especially "a" sounds
• Drop the ends of some words (especially -ing becomes -in')
• Use a rising inflection at the end of statements (making them sound like questions)
• Speak from the back of the throat and nose rather than the front of the mouth
• Use "yeah" as a filler word

How to Use Australian Slang Authentically

Do:

• Start small - Begin with basics like "G'day," "mate," and "no worries"
• Listen carefully to context and how locals use phrases
• Use humor when trying out new slang
• Be willing to laugh at yourself if you make mistakes

Don't:

• Overdo it - Using too much slang sounds inauthentic
• Force an exaggerated accent - The words themselves are more important
• Use profanity in formal situations - Know your audience
• Assume all Australians use the same slang - Regional variations exist

Regional Variations

• Sydney/NSW: "Fully sick" (excellent), "deadset" (absolutely)
• Melbourne/Victoria: "Grouse" (excellent), "heaps" (very/lots)
• Queensland: "Beaut" (great), "ripper" (excellent)
• Western Australia: "Sand groper" (Western Australian), unique mining terminology
• South Australia: "Stobie pole" (concrete power pole), "fritz" (luncheon meat)
• Tasmania: "Mainland" (rest of Australia), "sharp" (cold)
• Northern Territory: "Troppo" (crazy from the heat)

Context and Appropriateness

Australian slang should be used appropriately based on the context:

• Casual social settings - Most slang is acceptable
• Workplace - Moderate slang appropriate in many workplaces, avoid profanity
• Formal situations - Minimal slang, focus on casual tone rather than specific words
• With strangers - Start with milder expressions and gauge their response

Putting It All Together: Example Conversations

Casual Greeting

Non-Australian way: "Hello, how are you doing today?" Australian way: "G'day mate, how ya going?"

At a Restaurant

Non-Australian way: "Excuse me, could I have the bill, please?" Australian way: "Could we grab the bill when you're ready, thanks."

Offering Help

Non-Australian way: "Would you like me to assist you with that?" Australian way: "Need a hand with that, mate?"

Expressing Agreement

Non-Australian way: "I definitely agree with that assessment." Australian way: "Bloody oath, spot on!"

Suggesting Plans

Non-Australian way: "Would you like to join us for barbecue this weekend?" Australian way: "We're having a barbie on Saturday arvo. Wanna come round?"

Conclusion

Australian slang is colorful, creative, and constantly evolving. This guide gives you the basics, but the best way to learn is through immersion and conversation with locals. Remember that Australians generally appreciate the effort even if you don't get it quite right - having a go is what counts.

So give it a burl, and don't worry if you make a few mistakes along the way. She'll be right, mate!