Or how to become a "true blue" Australian "bloke" or "sheila"
When you learn English in your home country, you are taught how to speak and write “proper” English. The reality is that when you move to an English speaking country, you start hearing some terms that you didn’t know about before. It is called “slang”, every country and language have their own and yes, it is very useful to know a few words at least.
Although Australia is an English speaking country, learning the most common slang words may help you to get through on a daily basis and avoid getting into an awkward situation.
Slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very infomal language mostly in speaking rather that writing.
Australian slang is almost a language of its own. Aussies (as they’re also called) have a tendency to shorten most word terms to explain things.
Whether you are dreaming of visiting Sydney, have just arrived or are planning to study English in this beautiful and huge island, there are a few Australian slang words that you should know.
Here's a list of the 25 most common Australian slang words:
1. See ya this arvo - See you this afternoon
2. Being dacked – When someone pulls your pants down
3. Give a wedgie – When someone pulls your pants up your bum
4. Dunny - toilet, bathroom – D’ya know where the dunny is, mate?
5. Earbashing - constant talking – She gave me an earbashing for coming home at 2am.
6. Fair dinkum - genuine, real - Anna's a fair dinkum Aussie
7. Heaps - a lot, lots - Thanks heaps for your help
8. Hooroo – Goodbye - Hooroo mate, see ya tomorrow
9. Thong - flip flops- I need a new pair of thongs, these are about to break
10. “Bloke” an Australian male
11. “Sheila” an Australian female
12. “Barbie” for barbecue
13. “I reckon” for “I believe so”
14. “Maccas” for McDonalds
15. “Bottleo” for bottle shop (liquor store) or “Servo” for service station
16. “Budgie smugglers” Speedos
17. “Swimmers” also “togs”
18. “Crook” for sick. I am feeling a bit crook mate
19. “True blue” Something that is really Australian
20. “Hit the sack” Go to bed to sleep
21. “You must have kangaroos loose in the top paddock” You are crazy
22. “Pull your head in” Stop being a smart arse
23. “That’s a rip-off!” That’s too expensive!
24. “It’s a ripper!” It’s really great!
25. “To do your block” To lose your temper
