Australians are world-renowned for their ‘lingo’ - way of speaking. Shortening their words is one of the first things you may notice when visiting this massive country. You must have already heard the all-time favourite, G’day. Which is short for, good day. And of course, barbie, which is short for barbecue. But what are some other classic Aussie sayings and phrases? And what do they mean?
We have ‘had a gander’ - Which means ‘had a look.’ And found some of our favourite classic Aussie sayings and phrases.
Dunny roll - Toilet paper
You don’t need to be a long neck to be a goose - You don’t need to look stupid to be stupid
Couldn’t give a toss - I don’t care
Smoko - An informal lunch break taken at work
She’ll be right - Everything will be okay!
Useless as a chocolate teapot - It is totally useless
He’s going off like a frog in a sock - That person is going crazy
Dog’s breakfast - A big mess
A coldie - A beer
Bottle-o - Liquor store
Drink with the flies - To drink alone
Drongo - Silly person
Gobsmacked - astounded/ surprised
Good on ya - Good work
Every Tom, Dick and Harry - Everyone/ All the people
Fairdinkum - An expression to say something is good and/or genuine
Spend like a sailor on leave - To spend an extravagant amount of money
Chuck a wobbly - To throw a tantrum
Bob’s your uncle - You’re all set
A lot of HOO-HA - A discussion that is not important
They’re all pelicans - Often referring to the opposing (sports) team
Bogan - Someone generally of a lower social status
Larrikin - Someone who is always up for a laugh
So, let’s try to speak Aussie. Here is our attempt:-
Fairdinkum, Australians love a coldie! Every Tom, Dick and Harry went to the bottle-o and spent like a sailor on leave. Would a drongo chuck a wobbly or drink with the flies? Is this blog really a lot of HOO-HA? Or are you a larrikin?
Here are a couple more to help expand your Aussie vocabulary!
Strewth - An expression of surprise
True Blue - Genuinely Australian
Tea time - Dinner time
Youse - A plural of you
Whoop whoop - In the middle of nowhere
Tucker - Food
Straya - Australia
Swag - A bed you can roll up and sleep in, almost like a sleeping bag but upgraded
Snag - Sausage
Rello(s) - Relative(s)
Cobber - A good friend
Australia is a massive country with endless opportunities and things to explore. With a diverse range of… read more
Fulfil your wanderlust in Australia - for free! With so many amazing things to do and see, why not start with a… read more
Are you in for the trip of a lifetime? Australia showcases a diverse array of landscapes - from lush tropical… read more
Everyone knows that Australia is a vast and diverse country, but what not many people realise is that this… read more
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 9am until 6pm. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
