I have been here a little over 11 weeks now, and after numerous occasions of being confused with the new Australian terminology and sayings, I finally think I may have it down…hopefully. So, I have listed below some of the many new words/phrases I have learned (& have been attempting to incorporate into my vocabulary).
Arvo- Afternoon
Aussie- (pronounced Ozzie) Australian
Bloke- Man
Brekkie- Breakfast
Blind- Very intoxicated
Bush- Outside the city
Cabbie- Taxi Driver
Chewy- Chewing gum
“Couldn’t be bothered”- Had no time, energy, or interest to do something/ complete a task.
Ex. I was going to clean my room, but I just couldn’t be bothered.
Doona- Quilt, Duvet
Drop Bear- Mythical aggressive bears that jump down from trees and attack people. This myth is told by Aussie’s playing jokes on unknowing foreigners to scare them. **If you are gullible like myself, you will discover this to be a joke only after weeks of being hesitant to walk by trees late at night.
Fanny- CAUTION when using, NOT to mistaken for one’s backside, it is actually quite the contrary.
Footy- Australian Rules Football
Fortnight- Two week period
Full On- Intense, relentless
“G’Day”- Hello
“Good Onya”- Good for you
Heaps- Lots, Many (One of my favorite)
“How you going?”- How are you doing today?
Jocks- Men’s underpants
Kiwi- Someone from New Zealand, or an endemic Australian bird
Loo- Toilet, Bathroom
Lolly- Candy
Maccas- McDonalds
Mate- Friend, or associate
Note- Currency that is not in coin form
“No Worries”- (Another favorite of mine) Your Welcome, No Problem, It’s okay, etc. A phrase with endless possibilities.
Oz- Australia
Prawn(s)- Shrimp
Pudding- Cake
“Reckon”- I think that
Ex. I reckon it will rain today.
Rock up- To turn up, to arrive
Seppo- American
Slab- Carton of 24 beers
Sticky Date Pudding- One of the best desserts ever created, consisting of cake, caramel sauce, and dates.
“Ta”- Thanks
Tim Tams- Delicious cookies explaining why there are no Girl Scouts in Australia.
Toilet- Bathroom
Uni- Short for University
Ute- Small utility truck, looks like a pick up truck that has been lowered
Vegemite- A dark brown Australian spread made from yeast extract. **Also, another opportunity for Australians to mess with foreigners, usually by having them smear a thick layer of vegemite on toast and “try” it, which is NEVER recommended.
Victoria Bitter- Beer
Wanker- An insult, directed toward rude or egotistical people
XXXX- Queensland’s Favorite Beer
Yank- American
“Yer”- Yeah
Z- Pronounced “Zed” not “Zee”