Fun Australian Slang:
The Aussies have this fun habit of taking the first syllable of a word and turning it into slang. (Hence, “Aussies.”) Here are some more that I like:
- mozzies = mosquitoes
- cozzies = swimming costume = bathing suit
- derro = derelict = bum
- surfies = surfers
- aggro = aggressive
- ambo = ambulance
- Maccas = McDonald’s
- arvo = afternoon
- garbo = garbage collector
- piccie = picture, photograph
- pokie = poker/slot machine
Now try and use them in a sentence today. 🙂
Kristen
September 8, 2002 — 10:28 pm
i think my favourite aussie slang word is “dacks”, meaning underpants. i wonder where it comes from?
Claire
September 8, 2002 — 11:57 pm
Yeah dacks is a good one. We often say “tracky dacks” = tracksuit pants.
Kris
September 9, 2002 — 12:31 am
I got some tracky dacks and I LOVE ’em! Although the Snook calls me a dag when I wear ’em in public. 🙂
Kris
September 9, 2002 — 12:33 am
Ooh, Kristen, Mark might like to see this: the Macquarie Dictionary of Slang. Just about all the Australian slang I’ve ever heard (and way more).
Kristen
September 9, 2002 — 11:12 pm
Great link! I sent it to my sister. Her fiance’s an Aussie too (from Manly)!
Kris
September 9, 2002 — 11:35 pm
I love the name Manly. The Snook’s only flaw, as I see it, is that he doesn’t come from there. He keeps promising to take me there on the ferry though. I definitely want to check out the beach. I just have visions of it being full of… manly men. 🙂
aim
September 10, 2002 — 9:01 am
australians are so weird. only they would have a place named Manly.
aim
September 10, 2002 — 9:01 am
and i guess this means garbos are people who pick up MY TRASH, eh?
Kris
September 10, 2002 — 10:21 am
Nice one. Me and Rodd laughed. 🙂
Paul
August 15, 2004 — 11:28 pm
hey what is this website? i found it when trying to find a link for a french friend of mine describing what i mean when i say “tracky dacks” hahaha. im from wollongong by the way.
cheers!
Dave
August 16, 2004 — 7:29 am
Is there really a difference between bikers and bikies (bikeys?)? A friend of mine from Canberra got all offended when I referred to her as a biker, and I couldn’t understand why.
Dave
August 16, 2004 — 7:36 am
Yes, I was amused by “the Manly ferry” when I was in Sydney. And I still am by “the Barking train” which runs on the east side of London.
Kris
August 16, 2004 — 9:48 am
Paul, you can find out about the site by clicking the “about” link at the top of the page. Basically it’s a personal website and weblog, and while everyone is free to comment, I generally frown upon leaving spam links as your URL (unless it’s somehow relevant to the discussion).