25 Funny Australian Slang Phrases From The Land Down Under

Posted by , Updated on January 5, 2024

The Land Down Under is an interesting place. Not only is it a pretty good distance from any other continent or landmass, but it is also different in other ways. It’s climate, flora, and fauna, all reflect a very unique world that has developed its own traditions and cultures. Don’t get us wrong, though. Australia is still very much a part of the Commonwealth and retains the Queen as its head of state. While this doesn’t mean much in terms of actual governance, it does make clear the point that Australia has strong ties to its former colonial power, the United Kingdom. This means that culturally, linguistically, and historically, Australia has much in common with its Commonwealth counterparts around the globe.

In spite of this, the Land Down Under has managed to create its own lingo and vocabulary that makes it uniquely distinct from other English speaking nations. If you are planning to visit in the near future it would behoove you to understand some of the linguistic characteristics of this nation-continent. As with other English dialects, Australian English has its own intonation and vocabulary that natives use liberally. These are 25 funny Australian slang phrases from the Land Down Under!

Video
play-rounded-fill

Feature Image: pixabay

25

Chucking a sickie

Chucking a sickieSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: taking a sick day off from work when you’re not really sick

24

Grommet

GrommetSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: a young surfer

23

Arvo

ArvoSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: afternoon

22

Servo

ServoSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: gas station

21

Slab

SlabSource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: 24-pack of beer

20

Togs

TogsSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: swimsuit

19

Ta

TaSource: reddit, Image: picserver.org

Meaning: thank you

18

Whinge

WhingeSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: to whine

17

She'll be right

She'll be rightSource: reddit, Image: davef3138 via Flickr

Meaning: everything will be OK

16

Mozzie

MozzieSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: mosquito

15

Bottle-O

Bottle-OSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: liquor store

Aside from these hilarious Australian slang phrases, why not check out some of Australia’s most dangerous animals!

14

Ripper

RipperSource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: awesome/really cool/great

13

Barbie

BarbieSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: barbeque

12

Sweet as

Sweet asSource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: really sweet (“as” is an adjective amplifier)

11

Root

RootSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: sexual intercourse (don’t tell Aussies you “root” for your team, this would sound wrong. Say that you “barrack” instead.)

10

Pash rash

Pash rashSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: a rash that comes from kissing someone with a beard (a pash is a long kiss)

9

Esky

EskySource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: a cooler with drinks

8

Bogan

BoganSource: reddit, Image: Joe Sepielli via Flickr

Meaning: a redneck

7

Sook

SookSource: reddit, Image: Felinest via Flickr

Meaning: to sulk, one who sulks (too much whinging will make people think you are a sook)

6

Tradie

TradieSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: a tradesman. These include brickies (bricklayers), truckies (truck drivers), and sparkies (electricians)

5

Chockers

ChockersSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: very full

4

Fair dinkum

Fair dinkumSource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: genuine/true

3

Roo

RooSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: kangaroo

2

Stubbie holder

Stubbie holderSource: reddit, Image: pixabay

Meaning: a cooler (stubbies are beers)

1

Ute

UteSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Meaning: a pickup truck



SEE ALSO: 25 Richest Celebrities With The Highest Net Worth »

NOW WATCH:

video
play-rounded-fill