KLC at Crystal Waters - Aussie Lingo

	Kyushu Lutheran College Cross-cultural Practicum
	Global Ecovillage Network Oceania and Asia Inc. (GENOA) Crystal Waters Permaculture Village Queensland Australia

Australian Expressions - "Aussie Lingo"

As a former British colony we speak English 'down under', but over the years some local terms have developed which may at first seem puzzling… Many of these terms came into being in the 19^th century and have carried through to the present day. Most spelling follows the British style (i.e. ‘through’ rather than ‘thru’).

Some words and phrases you may need to know…..

Cozzie	bathing costume or trunks or swimmers
Mate	friend or pal
Tucker	food
Tallie	large bottle of beer
Stubby	small bottle of beer
Tinny	can of beer
Stubbies	working shorts (usually short)
Didya-ava-goodweekend?	Did you have an enjoyable weekend break?
Smoko	work break or smoking break
Fair Dinkum	honestly or the truth
Cuppa	mug of tea or coffee
Tea	lunchtime meal / drink of tea and a snack
Dunny	toilet or bathroom or loo
Brekkie	breakfast
Jumper	pullover or sweater made of wool
G'day	hello or hi
Bobby Dazzler	something that is wonderful, really neat, excellent
How-are-ya?	how are you or hello
Flat out like a lizard drinking	very very busy
Like a goanna down a drainpipe	being quick to act or grasp the moment
Hoo Roo	goodbye or see you later
Do yer na-na	lose your temper
Bonza	great or terrific or excellent or far out etc..
Billabong	water hole or small lake - naturally forming
Bikkie	biscuit or cookie
Uni	university
Have a go	give something a try that you are not sure about / participate
Arvo or t's'arvo	afternoon or this afternoon
Chook	chicken
Sanger	sandwich
Snag	sausage (usually b-b-qed)
I'm right	I'm alright / I'm being served
She'll be right	no worries / everything is under control
Come a croppa or come unstuck	have a minor accident or problem/hassle
Lolly	sweetie or candy
True Blue	real Aussie person or thing or action
Yakka or Hard Yakka	hard physical work
Digger	worker or protagonist in a story
Spit the dummy	blow your top or become angry
Catchya or Seeya	good bye
Struth or Aw Struth	similar to gosh or oh my gosh
Have a blue or "a Blue"	To have a fight or violent arguement
Ta	thankyou
Cheers	bottoms up - equivalent to kampai in Japanese
Arvo	afternoon
Pull your finger out	Stop dawdling or hurry up or get a move on
Lingo or Strine	Australian colloquial language
Prawn	shrimp
Don't come the raw prawn with me	Do not try to antagonise or irritate me
Barby	B-B-Q
Bonza	really good or nice
Silly galah *	stupid / foolish

*The galah is a pink and grey bird of the cockatoo/parrot family which often exhibits seemingly foolish antics like flying about the sky ducking and weaving through the trees aimlessly screeching, hanging upside down from tree branches then falling off. They are a seed/fruit/nut eating bird which can often be seen feeding on the ground in large flocks. One of the many many bird varieties to be found at Crystal Waters.

Further Investigation of Aussie Slang Terms

The following links are to a selection of Australian slang sites, some of which use rather colourful language...