{"id":1118,"date":"2017-01-15T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-15T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns?p=1118&preview=true&preview_id=1118"},"modified":"2019-03-12T09:51:27","modified_gmt":"2019-03-11T22:51:27","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-australian-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/the-ultimate-guide-to-australian-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate guide to Australian slang"},"content":{"rendered":"

American comedian Arj Barker once came up with an experiment to put the Australian vernacular to the test. Suspicious of what he was sure were just made-up words sprinkled into Aussie conversation for his benefit, he thought he\u2019d try it himself. A store assistant came up to him one day and asked if he needed any help. Arj turned to him, looked him right in the eye and said, \u2018No thanks, I\u2019m just having a little squidjerididge\u2019<\/em>. To which the salesman replied, \u2018No problem mate, let me know if you need anything.’<\/p>\n

While 99% of the country doesn\u2019t go around saying things like \u2018throw another shrimp on the barbie\u2019 or \u2018you little rippa!\u2019, Aussies\u00a0do abbreviate certain words, throw in the odd historical colloquialism and have unique mannerisms and an odd sense of humour \u2013 all of which can make them\u00a0a little hard to understand.<\/p>\n

So for those wanting to master this distinctive lingo, Intrepid is here to help with our very own (and very unofficial) guide to speaking Australian (note: not all of these phrases are in common usage, and vernacular does differ from state to state, but it\u2019s worth being prepared all the same).<\/p>\n

G’day<\/h3>\n

An\u00a0easy one to start with. This is a pretty standard greeting, at least in the more rural areas of Australia. It\u2019s just an abbreviation of the old English \u2018Good day\u2019. It\u2019s worth noting that some Aussies may feel a bit surprised if, as a foreigner, you try to reciprocate this one. If you feel awkward about it, answer with \u2018Hi, how\u2019s it going mate\u2019 and hope for the best.<\/p>\n

Fair dinkum<\/h3>\n

This one is\u00a0a legacy from the gold rush days. This is generally used in conversation to mean something legitimate, fair and above board. It comes from the gold fields of Victoria in the 19th<\/sup> century, where the Chinese dialectic phrase \u2018din gum\u2019 was used by the prospectors to mean a weight of gold that was on the level, or true gold.<\/p>\n

Abbreviations<\/h3>\n

Aussies love to abbreviate certain words. It\u2019s one of the hallmarks of the vernacular. But it can take you unawares if you\u2019re not expecting it. Here are a few common ones you might encounter: brekkie<\/em> (breakfast), uni<\/em> (university), arvo<\/em> (afternoon), smoko<\/em> (smoke\/snack break), bikkie<\/em> (biscuit), tellie<\/em> (television), footy<\/em> (football).<\/p>\n

Bloody<\/h3>\n

It\u00a0sounds bad, but it\u2019s really just used for emphasis. On the scale of swearing in Australia, this is pretty low. If something\u2019s \u2018bloody good\u2019 it\u2019s very good, if it\u2019s \u2018bloody hot\u2019 it\u2019s very hot (you get the idea). Use liberally and often, especially if it\u2019s hot.<\/p>\n

Buckley’s chance<\/h3>\n

Often\u00a0shortened to just \u2018buckley\u2019s\u2019, as in the phrase \u2018you\u2019ve got Buckley\u2019s\u2019. This basically means no chance in hell. There\u2019s a bit of dispute around where this phrase comes from, but most reckon it\u2019s from the convict William Buckley who escaped capture in 1803 and lived among the Wathawurung people for 32 years \u2013 he stayed so long that it\u2019s rumored he forgot how to speak English.<\/p>\n

Budgie smugglers<\/h3>\n

Basically a speedo or small bathing costume. Often used in reference to the Prime Minister Tony Abbott who insists on wearing them a lot. No etymology necessary here we hope.<\/p>\n

Daggy<\/h3>\n

An\u00a0adjective used to describe something uncool, awkward or a bit dated. It can be a noun too, as in \u2018he\u2019s a bit of a dag\u2019. It\u2019s not a very pejorative word, and can even be a term of endearment. In typical Aussie style, its origins have nothing much to do with the actual use (Google it for yourself).<\/p>\n

Bogan<\/h3>\n

Someone who is uncultured or unsophisticated, even if they have a bit of money. Generally a bit of a put down. It\u2019s the equivalent of a UK \u2018chav\u2019 or possibly a US \u2018redneck\u2019.<\/p>\n

Beer<\/h3>\n

Aussies have words for beer like Inuits have words for snow. Depending on where you are in the country, different glasses and measurements are called different things. This can be so parochial that asking for the wrong drink in the wrong state can generate some pretty serious confusion on the part of the bartender. Here\u2019s our foolproof guide:<\/p>\n

Shetland<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also known as a \u2018foursie\u2019 in Melbourne. This is the smallest glass of beer in the world. Don\u2019t order it.<\/p>\n