Australian Slang and Translations

Uniquely
Aussie
making our life special

Featured

Fair dinkum,
Aussies are unique.

- Sydney Yacht Race

- Aussie Slang

- Damper

- I Still Call Oz Home

Celebrating The Things That Make Australia Unique

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The names we give ourselves are probably some of the most colourful slang we use every day such as chippie, garbo and polly.

Speaking of polly, our American friend, Sara, was watching the news on TV and asked what was all the fuss about the birds. Watching the same show, we didn't see any story about birds. She said it was something about a polly. We explained that polly was short for politician.

Sara was surprised that the newsreader would use slang in the news. A few minutes later she told us she thought polly was a good name for politicians. American pollys often squawk and talk about things they don't understand. Maybe that IS why we call ours pollys. A few we know fit that description.

Aussie Bushie Cockroach Crow Eater Banana Bender Cane Toad Sandgroper Apple Eater Taswegian Kiwi Pommy or Pom Brit Yank Septic Tank Seppo	person from Australia, an Australian and pronounced Ozzy not Ossie. person from in rural Australia person from New South Wales (said with humour) person from South Australia (said with humour) person from Queensland (said with humour) person from Queensland (said with humour) person from Western Australia (said with humour) person from Tasmania (said with humour) person from Tasmania (said with humour) person from New Zealand, a New Zealander person from England person from England person from the USA person from the USA (said with humour), rhyming word with Yank person from the USA (said with humour), play on Septic Tank
Bloke Sheila Trouble and Strife Mum Ankle Biter Rug Rat Sprogs Tin Lid Oldies Poppy Rellies Mate Old Dears Wrinklies De Facto	a man a woman wife (rhyming slang) mother young child baby offspring, children kid (rhyming slang) parents grandfather relatives friend, buddy senior citizens or your parents senior citizens man or woman living together as husband and wife, but not married
The Don ANZAC Ambo Biker Bikie Brickie Bushfire Brigade Bushranger Busker	Sir Donald Bradman, considered the best cricket player member of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ambulance officer person who rides a motorcycle member of a motorcycle gang bricklayer volunteer fire fighting organization outlaw person who performs (busks) for donations usually on sidewalks. Mostly musicians and singers.
Casual Worker Chippie Compere Cow Cockie Fruit Cockie Crim Digger Dip Dole Bludger Duffers Dunnyman	someone who works part time or as temporary help carpenter emcee of a program or event dairy farmer fruit farmer criminal Australian soldier pickpocket person who avoids work preferring to live on welfare thieves, i.e. cattle duffer (cattle thief) person who empties toilet cans where there is no sewer connected
Fang Carpenter Firee Gabster Garbo Dustman Greenie Greens Greengrocer Jackaroo Jillaroo Journo Milko Muso Newsreader	dentist fire fighter, fireman. Also spelled fire-ie. radio talk show host garbage collector garbage collector. Garbage cans also called dust bins. environmentalist member of the political Green Party person who sells fruit and vegetables male station hand female station hand journalist milkman musician person who reads the news on TV or radio. News anchor (USA and Canada)
Nipper Offsider Pollie Postie Reffo Salvo, Sal, Sallie Schoolie Seppo Showie Solicitor Sparky Spruiker Stockman Swagman	young surf lifesaver assistant or helper politician postman, mailman, mail delivery person refugee person from the Salvation Army holidaying student after completing final year exams. Not to be confused with schooie which is a schooner of beer. person who empties the dunny or septic tank, also another term for American (said in humour) person working in a travelling carnival. Carnie in the USA. lawyer, attorney electrician; also called a leckie person whose job it is to speak loudly to passersby to advertise and solicit customers for a business person who tends livestock on horseback. (Cowboy USA) a drifter (person without a permanent place to live) who carried his swag as he travelled the country on foot looking for work. He was a common sight during the depression of the 1890's and 1930's.
Trucky Umpie Vinnie's Wax-head Wharfie	driver of large trucks umpire St. Vincent De Paul's (charity thrift stores) surfer dockside worker, longshoreman
Bluey Curly Duck's Disease Battler Boofhead Bludger Dag Dill Dobber Drongo Galah Hoon Larrikin Lofty Mongrel Ocker Ratbag Show Pony Sook Stickybeak Tall Poppy Wanker Winger Yobbo	nickname for a person with red hair nickname for a person with a bald head what a short person has someone without much luck in life and always has to struggle friendly term for someone who is not too smart person who won't work, extremely lazy unfashionable person a simpleton or stupid person, also a herb person who told what you've been up to, usually something bad stupid person. Drongo footballer would run the wrong way. foolish person also a pink and grey parrot hooligan a rowdy, irresponsible person nickname for a short person despicable person uncultured person, an Aussie who likes beer, sports and women (usually in that order) dishonest, despicable person appearance is more important than ability to this person cry baby, timid and shy cowardly person nosy person who does not mind their own business successful person often a target of jealous remarks male that's really stupid but thinks he's the greatest person who complains constantly (whinge) an uncouth person

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