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12.3.1 Strine (Australian) Glossary from A to Zed




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This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.

12.3.1 Strine (Australian) Glossary from A to Zed

Act: Pretending to be something you're not.
Aggro: Aggressive.
Alf: Stupid person.
Amber or Amber fluid: Beer.
Arvo: Afternoon.
Aussie (pronounced "Ozzie"): Australian.
Avagoyermug: Traditional rallying call, often heard at cricket matches
(contraction of "Have a go, you mug!")

Back of beyond: Far away in the outback.
Back of Bourke: The middle of nowhere.
Bag: Lady who is not particularly pleasant.
Bail out: Leave.
Bail up: Hold up, rob, earbash.
Banana bender: Resident of Queensland.
Barbie (Barbecue): Like a cook out. Many people get together for a
'Barbie' in the warmer months. They are usually BYO (Bring your own) meat
and drinks.
Barney: Fight or scuffle.
Barrack: To cheer on a team at a sporting event.
Bathers: Swimming costume (Victoria).
Battler: Hard trier, struggler.
Beaut, beauty, bewdie: Very good. Excellent.
Belt up!: Shut up!
Berko: Angry.
Bible basher: Minister.
Bickie: Dollar.
Big mobs: Large amount, heaps.
Bikies: Motorcyclists.
Billabong: Water hole in a dry riverbed, or more correctly an ox-bow bend
cut off in the dry season by receding waters.
Billy: Used for making tea in, usually over a campfire. The best billies
are the old ones, which make better tea.
Bitumen: Surfaced road.
Black Stump: Out towards the horizon. A long way away.
Block: Block has a few meanings but the more Aussie one is your head.
Bloke: Person, usually a male.
Bloody: All-purpose intensifying adjective.
Blowies: Blow flies.
Bludge: Not doing anything or getting things of others.
Bludger: Lazy person.
Blue: A fight, or the nickname of someone with red hair.
Bonzer: Great.
Boomer: Very large, or a particularly male kangaroo.
Boomerang: Curved flat wooden instrument used by Aborigines for hunting.
If your boomerang returns, it means you MISSED!
Booze: Alcohol, usually beer.
Booze bus: Police van used for random breath testing for alcohol.
Bottle shop: Liquor shop.
Buckley's: No chance at all.
Bug (Moreton Bay bug): Small crab.
Bullamanka: Imaginary place even beyond back of Bourke, way beyond the
black stump.
Bull dust: Fine and sometimes deep dust on outback roads.
Bunyip: Mythical bush spirit.
Burl: Have a try, as in "give it a burl".
Bush: Somewhere in the country or away from the city. Go bush means go
back to the land.
Bushbash: Force one's way through pathless bush.
Bushranger: Outlaw, analogous to the outlaws of the American Wild West
(some goodies, some baddies).
Bush tucker: Native foods, usually in the outback.
BYO: Bring Your Own (booze to a restaurant, meat to a barbecue, etc.)

Caaarn!: Traditional rallying cry at football games (contraction of "Come
on!").
Camp oven: Large, cast-iron pot with a lid, for cooking on an open fire.
Captain Cook: To have a look.
Cask: Wine box.
Chiko roll: Australian junk food.
Chook: Chicken.
Chuck a U-ey: Make a U-turn.
Chunder: Vomit, curbside quiche, drive the porcelain bus, pavement pizza,
liquid laugh, rainbow sneeze, technicolour yawn.
Cleanskin: Unbranded cattle.
Clobber: Clothes.
Chuck: Chuck has a few meanings. It can mean to throw or to put in.
Cobber: Mate (archaic).
Cocky: Small-scale farmer.
Come good: Turn out all right.
Compo: Compensation, such as workers' compensation.
Conk: To hit someone.
Cooee: Bush greeting.
Coolabah: Type of box eucalyptus tree.
Corroboree: Aboriginal dancing.
Counter meal, countery: Pub meal.
Cow: Also means anything that is difficult.
Cow cocky: Small-scale cattle farmer.
Cozzie: Swimming costume (New South Wales).
Crook: Ill, badly made, substandard.
Crow eater: Resident of South Australia.
Curbside quiche: Vomit.
Cut lunch: Sandwiches.

Dag, daggy: Dirty lump of wool at the back end of a sheep, also an
affectionate or mildly abusive term for a socially inept person.
Daks: Trousers.
Damper: Bush loaf made from flour and water cooked in a camp oven.
Dead horse: Tomato sauce.
Deli: Delicatessen. Milk bar in South Australia.
Dijeridu: Cylindrical musical instrument played by Aboriginal men.
Dill: Idiot.
Dillybag: Small bag to carry things.
Dinkie die: The whole truth.
Dinkum: Genuine or honest.
Divvy van: Police divisional van.
Dob In: To tell (an authority) on someone.
Donk: Car or boat engine.
Don't come the raw prawn: Don't try to fool me.
Down south: The rest of Australia, according to someone north of
Brisbane, Queensland.
Drive the porcelain bus: Vomit.
Drongo: Worthless person.
Duco: Car paint.
Dunny: Outdoor lavatory.
Dunny budgies: Blow flies.

Earbash: Non-stop talk.
Eastern states: The rest of Australia, according to someone in Western
Australia.
Enzedder: New Zealander.
Esky: Large insulated box for keeping beer etc. cold.
Evo: Evening.

Fair crack of the whip!: Fair go!
Fair dinkum: The whole truth.
Fair go: Give some a chance or an opportunity to do something. Financial:
To be flush with cash.
FJ: Most revered Holden car.
Flake: Shark meat, used in fish and chips.
Flaming: All-purpose intensifying adjective.
Flat out: As fast as possible.
Floater: Meat pie floating in pea soup.
Fossick: To hunt for gemstones.

Galah: Noisy parrot, thus noisy idiot.
Game: Brave.
Gander: Have a look.
Gaol: Australian and British spelling of "jail".
Garbo: Garbage collector.
G'day: A greeting. It is the Aussie way of saying good day.
Going "troppo": Going tropical; laid-back and fun-loving.
Gibby: Aboriginal word for stony desert.
Give it away: Give up.
Good on ya!: Term of approval.
Grizzle: To complain.
Grazier: Large-scale sheep or cattle farmer.
Grog: General term for alcohol.
Grouse: Very good, unreal.
Gumtree: Eucalyptus.
Gutzer: Some plans don't work out or to have an accident.

Hire: To rent, as "to hire a car".
His nibs: The boss.
Hooley: Wild party.
Hoon: Idiot, hooligan, yahoo.
Hooly-Dooly: An expression of surprise.
Hotel: Sometimes means only a pub.
How are ya?: Standard greeting.
HQ: Second most revered Holden car.
Hump: To carry.

Icy-pole: Ice cream on a stick.
Identity: Celebrity.
In full feather: In fine health.
In yer boot!: An expression of disagreement.
It's a goer: Something that will definitely occur.

Jack-in-the-box: Person who can't sit still.
Jackaroo or Jillaroo: Trainee on a cattle station.
Jingoes!: Exclamation of wonder.
Jocks: Men's underpants.
Joe Bloggs: The average citizen.
Joey: Baby kangaroo, still in the pouch.
Journo: Journalist.
Jumbuck: Sheep.

Kafuffle: Argument.
Kanga or kangaroo: Shoe.
Keen as mustard: Enthusiastic.
Kerb: Alternative Australian and British spelling of "curb".
Kelpie: Sheep dog or cattle dog.
Kick: To share or join in.
Kip: Sleep or nap.
Kiwi: New Zealander.
Knackers: Testicles (also love spuds, nuts, nads).
Knock: To criticise.
Knocker: One who criticises.
Kombi: Multi-purpose van-like vehicle.
Koori: Aborigine (mostly south of the Murray River).

Lair: Layabout, hooligan.
Lairise: To behave in a vulgar, flamboyant manner.
Lamb-brained: Stupid.
Lamington: Sponge cake cut into squares, covered in chocolate and
coconut.
Larrikin: Ruffian or hoodlum.
Lay-by: To put a deposit on an article so a shop will hold it.
Licensed: Legally permitted to sell alcoholic drinks.
Like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge: Lonely.
Liquid laugh: Vomit.
Lob: Arrive.
Lollies: Candy or sweets.
Lolly: Money.
Loo: Lavatory or toilet.
Lot: The whole thing.
Lurk: Scheme (no negative connotation).

Mad: Crazy (seldom means anger).
Mallee: Remote bushland of Victoria.
Manchester: Household linen.
Mate: This usually means a friend but it can be used to talk about or to
anyone - even a total stranger.
Matey with: Familiar or friendly with.
Matilda: The belongings of a swagman, wrapped in a blanket or bedroll.
Middy: 285 ml beer glass (New South Wales).
Milk bar: Corner general store.
Milko: Milkman.
Mob: Group of person or things (not necessarily unruly).
Mozzie: Mosquito.
Mug: Either a fool or your face.

Naff: Ridiculous, useless.
Nana: Banana.
Nark: Spoilsport.
Narked: Annoyed.
Neddies: Horses.
Never never: Desert region far away in the outback.
Nick: To steal.
Nick out: Go somewhere for short period of time.
Nit: Fool or idiot.
No hoper: Hopeless case.
No shortage of oscar: To be flush with money.
No worries!: Everything will be fine!
Noise off: Speak loudly.
North Island: Mainland Australia, according to someone in Tasmania.
Northern summer: Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Nulla-nulla: Wooden club used by Aborigines.
Num-nums: Tasty food.

Ocker: Uncultivated or boorish Australian.
Off-sider: Assistant or partner.
Oil: Accurate information.
On a good lurk: To have a good job.
OS: Overseas.
Outback: The bush, or uncivilised uninhabited region.
Oy!: An ocker's call.
Owyergoin: How are you going? Often used with "G'day" and "Mate".
OYO: On your own (flat or apartment).
Oz: Australia, as in Oz-tralia.

Packed out: Filled to capacity.
Packet: Large some of money, an envelope.
Paddock: Field or meadow.
Pally: On friendly terms with.
Paper yabber: Letter.
Parcel: Package.
Pastoralist: Large-scale grazier.
Pavement pizza: Vomit.
Pavlova: Traditional Australian meringue and cream dessert, names after
Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
Pearl: Excellent.
Perve: To gaze with lust, purview.
Pester: Annoy or bother someone.
Petrol: Gasoline.
Piffle: Nonsense.
Pinch: To arrest.
Pineapple, rough end of: Stick, sharp end of.
Piss: Alcohol, usually beer.
Piss turn: Boozy party.
Pissed: Drunk.
Pissed off: Annoyed.
Pivot on: Consider.
Plonk: Cheap wine (contemptuous contraction of "vin blanc").
Poddy dodger: Cattle rustler.
Poker machine, pokies: Slot machine, found in clubs mainly in New South
Wales.
Pom or Pommy: English person.
Poofter: Homosexual.
Possie: Advantageous position.
Postie: Postman.
Pot: 285 ml glass of beer (Victoria and Queensland).
Prang: Accident or crash.
Proprietary (Pty.): Company (Co.).
Pub: Any hotel. A favourite meeting place of many Australians.
Push: Group or gang of people, such as shearers.
Putt-putt: Any small vehicle.

Q: Thank you (mumbled).
QANTAS: Acronym for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service.
Quack: Doctor, especially if not very good.
Quick smart: In a hurry.
Quids: A lot of money.

Rainbow sneeze: Vomit.
Rapt: Delighted, enraptured.
Ratbag: Someone who does not behave properly.
Raw Prawn: A lie or a con job.
Razoo: Fictitious coin, as "I haven't a brass razoo".
Reckon!: You bet! Absolutely!
Rego: Registration, as in car rego.
Ridgy-didge: Original, genuine.
Ringer: Fast sheep shearer.
Ripper: Good.
Road train: Multi-trailered semi truck.
Roo: Kangaroo.
Roo bar: Metal rod on front of vehicles to protect against kangaroo
strikes.
Root: Have sexual intercourse.
Rooted: Tired.
Ropable: Very ill-tempered or angry.
RS: Lousy (rat shit).
Rubbish: To tease, as in "to rubbish".
Rug up: Dress for warmth.

Sack: To dismiss from a job.
Salvo: Member of the Salvation Army.
Sandgroper: Resident of Western Australia.
Scallops: Fried potato cakes (Queensland), shellfish (elsewhere).
Scheme: System or method (no negative connotation).
School: Group of drinkers, each of whom buys a round.
Schooner: Large beer glass (New South Wales, South Australia).
Screamer: Noisy drunk.
Scrub: Can be the same as the bush or mean areas in the country where
there are not many trees.
Sea wasp: Deadly box jellyfish.
Sealed road: Surfaced road.
See you in the soup: See you around.
Semitrailer: Articulated truck.
Session: Lengthy period of heavy drinking.
Sheila: Female or woman.
Shellacking: Complete defeat.
She'll be right!: Everything will be fine!
Shivoo: Rowdy party.
Shonky: Unreliable.
Shoot Through: To leave or disappear in a hurry.
Shout: Pay for someone else, particularly a round of drinks.
Shove off!: Go away!
Shirty: To get upset or angry.
Sickie: Day off work ill, or malingering.
Silk shirt on a pig: Something wasted.
Sink the boot: Drive fast.
Skint: Broke.
Skite: To boast.
Slog: Hard work.
Smoke-oh: Short break at work.
Snag: Sausage.
Sport: More general way to refer to someone rather than a mate.
Spunky: Good-looking, attractive as in "what a spunk".
Square off: To apologise.
Squatter: Large landowner who originally occupied land as a tenant of the
government.
Squattocracy: Australian "old money" folk, who made their fortunes by
being first on the scene and grabbing the land.
Station: Large farm or ranch.
Stickybeak: Nosy person.
Stinger: Box jellyfish.
Strewth!: It's the truth! An exclamation, often of surprise.
Strides: Daks, trousers.
Strine: Australian slang.
Stubby: Small bottle of beer.
Sunbake: Sunbathe.
Swag: Canvas-covered bedroll used in the outback.
Swagman: Vagabond, rural tramp.

Take away food: Take-out food.
Tall poppies: Achievers, often a disparaging term.
Tariff: Rate.
Taswegian: Resident of Tasmania (patterned after "Norwegian").
Tea: evening meal.
Technicolour yawn: Vomit.
Tee up: Organise or arrange.
Telly: The television.
Thingo: Thing, whatchamacallit, hooza meebob, doo velacki, thingamajig.
This arvo: This afternoon.
Thongs: Rubber sandals.
Tinny: Can of beer. Also a small aluminium fishing dinghy (Northern
Territory).
Togs: Swimming costume (Queensland, Victoria).
Too right!: Absolutely!
Top End: Northern part of the Northern Territory.
Trucky: Truck driver.
True blue: Dinkum.
Tucker: Food. Australian schools call their canteens a "tuckshop".
Twit: Fool or idiot.
Two-pot screamer: Someone who can't hold his liquor.
Two-up: Traditional Australian heads/tails gambling game.
Tyre: Australian and British spelling of "tire".

Underdaks: Underwear.
Uni: University.
Up a gumtree: In a quandary.
Up north: New South Wales and Queensland, according to someone in
Victoria.
Ute: Utility truck or vehicle.

Vee-dub: Volkswagon car.
Vegemite: Popular vegetable extract used as sandwich spread. Velvet:
Highly profitable or advantageous.

Waffle: Nonsense.
Wag: To skip school or work.
Walkabout: Periodic nomadic wanderings.
Wallaby track, on the: To wander from place to place in search of work
(archaic).
Waltz Matilda: To carry a swag.
Weatherboard: Wooden house.
Wet, the: Rainy season in northern Australia.
Wharfie: Dockworker.
Winge: Complain and carry on unnecessarily.
Whomajigger: Term for person or thing whose actual name one can't
remember.
Willy-nilly: Small dust twister.
Wobbly: Disturbing, unpredictable behaviour, as in "throw a wobbly".
Woomera: Stick used by Aborigines to throw spears.
Wowser: Spoilsport or puritan.

XXXX: Fourex, a favorite brand of Queensland beer.

Yabbie: Small freshwater crayfish.
Yahoo: Noisy and unruly person.
Yahooing: Boisterous behaviour.
Yakka, yakker: Hard work, an Aboriginal term
Yank: American.
Yankee shout: A round of drinks in which everyone pays his own. Yank
tank: An American car.
Yobbo: Uncouth, aggressive person.
Yonks: Ages, a long time.
Youse: Plural of you.

Zebra crossing: Broad-striped pedestrian roadway crossing.
Zed: Australian and British pronunciation of "Z".
Zeds: Pertaining to sleep (zzz).

 

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previous page: 12.3 Australian slang, word origins
  
page up: Australia FAQ
  
next page: 12.3.2 What is the origin of the word "Pom" or "Pommy"? [BR]