Famous Australian Slang Terms and What They Mean

As a non-native speaker, when you think that you have completely mastered the language, you visit a country and come across certain terms and phrases that seem alien to you. Well, every country has its own share of slang terms and phrases, and Australia seems to have some very interesting ones. If you are planning a visit to Australia, whether for work or for pleasure, it is always beneficial to be familiar with the most popular Australian slang terms used by people. 

This simple guide is going to tell you about the most famous terms that you will see being used in the country by everyone, from elders to little kids, and everywhere. So, get ready to fill out your slang vocabulary with the best Australian slang terms. 

Exploring popular Australian slang phrases and words 

Even though they speak english in the country, the language is full of terms and concepts native to Australia that anyone visiting the country needs to know about. Learning these phrases and terms will make your experience in Australia more interesting. 

• A Cold One – Simply used to refer to a beer 

• Accadacca – How Australians call the band ACDC

• Ankle Biter – A small child 

• Arvo – Afternoon (S’Arvo – this afternoon!)

• Aussie Salute – A wave to scare off the flies 

• Avo – Avocado

• Bail – To cancel plans. 

• Barbie – Barbecue

• Bathers – Swimsuit

• Beauty! – Great! Most often exclaimed as “You Beauty.”

• Billabong – A pond in a dry riverbed

• Billy – Teapot (In the Outback on the fire) 

• Bloody – Very. Used to extenuate a point 

• Bloody oath – Yes or it's true. 

• Bludger – Someone who’s lazy, generally also who relies on others (when it’s someone who relies on the state, they’re often called a ‘dole bludger’) 

• Bogan – This word is used for people who are, well, let’s say, rednecks. Or, if you like, just call your friends a bogan when they are acting weird. 

• Booze Bus – Police vehicle used to catch drunk drivers 

• Bottle-O – Bottle Shop, basically a place to buy alcohol

• Brekky – Breakfast

• Brolly – Umbrella

• Bruce – An Aussie man 

• Buckleys Chance – Less chance or probability 

• Budgie Smugglers – Speedos

• Buggered – Exhausted

• Bush – Refers to the countryside, away from civilization 

• Cab Sav – Cabernet Sauvignon

• Cactus – Dead, Broken

• Choc A Bloc – Full

• Choccy Biccy – Chocolate Biscuit

• Chook – Chicken

• Chrissie – Christmas

• Ciggy – Cigarette

• Clucky – feeling maternal

• Cobber – Very good friend. 

• Coldie – Another term for a beer

• Coppers – Policemen

• Crack the shits – Being angry at someone or something

• Crikey – An expression of surprise

• Crook – Being ill or angry 

• Dag – Used for a person who’s a bit of a nerd or geek.

• Daks – Trousers. 

• Dardy – meaning “cool”, is used mainly by South West Australian Aboriginal peoples, but has now been adopted and used by non-indigenous teens.

• Deadset – True

• Defo – Definitely

• Devo – Devastated

• Drongo – a Fool

• Dunny – Toilet

• Durry – Cigarette

• Esky – An insulated container that keeps things cold, used mainly for beers

• Facey – Facebook

• Fair Dinkum – Honestly!

• Flannie / Flanno – A flannelette shirt

• Flat out – To be really busy 

  
  

These are some of the most popular slang phrases that are used in Australia, and if you wish to make your trip to the country, make sure that you are also familiar with them.