The Australian Slang Guide

While our national language is English, we have developed our own set of slang and colloquialisms over time and thus, an Australian, Aussie or sometimes referred to as “Strayan” language was formed. In a land of kangaroos, beaches and Vegemite our own uniqueness may be a point of confusion for some.

You may be too young to remember, but I am sure you are familiar with a phrase that is very often associated with the Australian language. In 1984, Paul Hogan AKA Crocodile Dundee enticed the North American viewers in a tourism advertisement with “I’ll slip another shrimp on the barbie” if they visited Australia. Over time this has changed to “Throw another shrimp on the barbie”. This phrase has stuck, for better or worse when people think of Australia!

Whilst the above may be an example of something we don’t actually say, here are some examples of Australian slang you will probably hear on your travels around the world and more importantly if you ever decide to visit the Land Down Under!

1. Mate

Lets start off with something easy. Mate is thrown around a lot in the Aussie vernacular. Most commonly used to address friends but can also be used when annoyed or angry at someone who is not exactly your “mate.”

2. G’day

Good day fellow mate.

3. Howya’ Going

How are you doing? Depending on who you are talking to and where they are from in Australia, this may also sound like Howyagarn! We like to speak quickly and forget about the ever important spaces between words.

4. Yeah, nah

Good point but, no.

5. Bloody Oath or Blood Oath

Totally agree with you there friend, good point!

6. Grouse

Not to be confused with Grouse Mountain, BC. Grouse can be said when something or someone is really impressive.

7. Your shout

It is probably your turn to buy the next round of drinks at the bar.

8. Goon Bag

A cheap bag of usually low quality wine in a cardboard box.

9. Grog

Alcohol, which you will

10. Bottle-o

Bottle shop or liquor store.

11. Mozzie

Mosquito.

12. Sickie

To pull a sickie is to not go to work because you are pretending to be sick, or are actually sick.

13. Ta

Thank you!

find located at the Bottle-o. Confused? See below!

14. Bugger

When something happens that you aren’t happy with. Can also be used as “I can’t be buggered” which means; I can’t be bothered.

15. Togs, Cozzie

Swim suit, depending where you are from in Australia. Budgie Smugglers: Also in reference to a swim suit, worn by men, of the speedo variety.

16. She’ll be right mate

To reassure a friend that the situation will turn out alright in the end.

17. Budgie Smugglers 

Speedo-style swimsuit worn by men.

18. Heaps

Means a lot. We say this heaps.

19. Flat out

You are, or have been really busy working.

20. Doona

Duvet.

21. Pull ya head in

Now hopefully you won’t hear this one too often because it probably means that you are having an argument with someone and you may be being unreasonable.

22. Thongs and/or pluggers

Flip Flops! I know, its confusing but it has nothing to do with ladies underwear or plumbing!

23. Cab Sav

Cabernet Sauvignon - because we like to abbreviate…everything!

24. Sanga

Sandwich.

25. Tinny

Can of beer.

26. Snag

Sausage.

27. Prawn

Shrimp. Contrary to what Crocodile Dundee would have you believe, we don’t say shrimp, we say prawn.

28. Barbie

Barbecue. You are more likely to hear an Australian say “throw another snag on the barbie” rather than “throw another shrimp on the barbie.” 

In addition to this list of Aussie slang it should be noted that we have a tendencies to shorten a lot of our words with the suffix “o”.

Here are a few examples,

29. Arvo

Afternoon.

30. Servo

Service station or gas station.

31. Smoko

Morning or lunch break. Example: “In the arvo I’m gonna go to the servo and pick up a sanga for smoko.”

So while you may be left scratching your head after having a conversation with an Aussie for the first couple of times, hopefully this non-exhaustive list of some of the slang we use gives you a better understanding on how to speak “strayan”!