Australian slang
Aussie slang glossary, with audio
What does arvo mean? Afternoon. This glossary lists Aussie slang that already has a written meaning on Aussie Talk and a recording in the site files. Press play to hear that file. If a word has no recording here, it is left out. Nothing on this page is generated speech.
59 entries. For the week-one list, see Australian slang words you will actually hear. Longer phrases also live on Australian sayings.
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Learn has 312 real Australian voice recordings. Those lesson recordings are never text to speech.
Quick answers
What does arvo mean?
Arvo means afternoon. Any time after lunch until the light goes.
What does servo mean?
Servo means petrol station. Also the pie, the coffee and the milk you buy there at 11pm. Petrol, not gas. Gas here is the stuff in the bottle under the barbie.
What does yeah nah mean?
Yeah nah means no. The yeah is just softening the blow.
What does thongs mean in Australia?
Thongs means flip flops. Rubber sandals with a strap between the toes. Nothing to do with underwear, which will save you one very awkward conversation.
Which words are in this glossary?
Only slang and sayings that already have a written meaning on Aussie Talk and an audio file on this site. If there is no recording, the word is left out. The clips are the files already published here. They are not generated speech.
A
A face like a dropped pie
It means someone looks rough, unimpressed, or not their best. Said as a friendly roast between mates, not as a genuine insult.
Say it: "My mate Bruce is a legend, but he has a face like a dropped pie (you only say this to a mate)."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: A face like a dropped pie.
Ambo
Ambulance officer.
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Arvo
Afternoon. Any time after lunch until the light goes.
Say it: "I'll swing past this arvo."
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More: Australian slang words.
B
Barbie
A barbecue, both the event and the grill. If you are told to bring a plate, they mean food to share, not an empty plate.
Say it: "We're doing a barbie Sunday, come round."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
Bloody oath
It means absolutely or a very definite yes. Bloody adds emphasis, making the reply sound enthusiastic or strongly in agreement.
Say it: "Bloody oath I'll be there."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Bloody oath.
Bogan
An unsophisticated person
Say it: "He's a bit of a bogan but he's got a heart of gold."
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Bottle-o
The bottle shop, where you buy takeaway alcohol. Supermarkets mostly do not sell it here, so this is the trip you will make.
Say it: "I'll duck to the bottle-o before it shuts."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
Brekkie
Breakfast. The cafe menu says it, the hostel sign says it, and after a week so will you.
Say it: "Brekkie's included, but get in before nine."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
C
Chips
Hot chips are fries. Packet chips are chips. Same word, so ask
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Chockers
Completely full
Say it: "Went to the football last night. The stadium was absolutely chockers."
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Chuck a sickie
Take a sick day when you're not sick. Peak season is the Monday after a long weekend and the day after a big game.
Say it: "Half the site chucked a sickie for the grand final."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Chuck a sickie.
D
Dag
A nerdy or uncool person (affectionate)
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Dog's breakfast
It means a mess, a botched job, or something thrown together badly. It is about the state of things, not an actual breakfast.
Say it: "Work is a dog's breakfast at the moment! We've lost a lot of staff."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Dog's breakfast.
Don't get your knickers in a knot
It means do not get too upset or worried about something. It is often teasing, but can sound dismissive if the other person is already frustrated.
Say it: "Don't get your knickers in a knot, it's only a game."
Hear the recording already on this site.
Drongo
A stupid person
Say it: "What a drongo, he locked his keys in the car."
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
E
Esky
The cooler. An ice box for drinks and food on the way to the beach. It started as a brand name and now it is the only word. Cheap ones from the servo, dear ones from the camping shop, all of them are an esky.
Say it: "Chuck it in the esky."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
F
Fair dinkum
Genuine, real, the honest truth. As a question it means "seriously?" You will hear it more from older blokes and out in the bush than at a city cafe, so use it lightly or you will sound like you are doing a bit.
Say it: "Fair dinkum, it was that big."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Fair dinkum.
Flat out like a lizard drinking
Flat out means very busy. The lizard is lying flat on its belly to drink, so it's flat out in both senses, which is the joke. You'll hear plain "flat out" more often. The full version comes out with a grin, usually from someone who's just finished a shift like that.
Say it: "How was it? Flat out like a lizard drinking, mate."
Hear the recording already on this site.
Footy
It depends on the state. In NSW and Queensland it usually means rugby league. In Victoria, SA, WA and Tasmania it usually means Aussie Rules.
Say it: "Watching the footy tonight?"
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More: Australian sport slang.
G
G'day
Hello
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Galah
A fool
Say it: "I can't believe he got so drunk last night... What a Galah!"
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Give us a bell
It means give me a phone call. In this informal expression, us often means me, and bell refers to the sound of a ringing phone.
Say it: "Give us a bell when you land."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Give us a bell.
Good on ya mate
It means well done or good for you. It is praise between mates, often for effort as much as for the result.
Say it: "You passed your exams? Good on ya mate."
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More: Good on ya mate.
H
Happy as Larry
It means completely happy or pleased. Nobody needs to know who Larry was. The point is the mood.
Say it: "She's happy as Larry with the new job."
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More: Happy as Larry.
Have a yarn
It means having a relaxed chat, often with a story or two along the way. A yarn can also mean a story, especially one told for entertainment.
Say it: "Would love to catch up for a beer. Would be great to have a yarn with you!"
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Have a yarn.
Hooroo
Goodbye. Old school, still around, mostly from anyone over sixty and anyone else being cheerful. You'll hear it more than you'll say it, and that's fine.
Say it: "Hooroo, see you Monday."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
How ya going
How are you. It is a greeting, not a question, so nobody wants the medical history. Say "good, you?" and keep walking.
Say it: "How ya going? Good, you?"
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
K
Knackered
Exhausted. Wrecked. Done for the day. Also stuffed, buggered and cooked, which all mean the same thing.
Say it: "I'm knackered, that was a double."
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More: Australian slang words.
L
Larrikin
Mischievous joker
Say it: "He's a proper larrikin, always causing mischief."
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Lollies
Any sweets. Chocolate is still chocolate
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M
Maccas
McDonald's. The signs say it now too. Macca's with an apostrophe if you are being precise, and nobody is.
Say it: "Maccas run after the pub?"
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More: Australian slang words.
Mad as a cut snake
It usually means very angry. In some yarns it can also mean eccentric or a bit unhinged, depending on the story.
Say it: "He was mad as a cut snake when he saw the bill."
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More: Mad as a cut snake.
Mate
Friend. Also the bloke at the counter, the bus driver and the person you met four seconds ago. Said slow and low, "maaate", it means you have done something.
Say it: "Cheers, mate."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
Mozzie
Mosquito.
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My shout
I'm paying. This is the round system, and it matters more than most things on this page. Someone says my shout, they buy this round, and you buy the next one. It's a loop, not a gift. Same with coffee: a workmate shouts you one, you shout the next. Don't hand them the cash for it. That's weird.
Say it: "Put your wallet away, it's my shout."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Aussie slang for backpackers.
N
Nah yeah
Yes. The nah is clearing the throat before the yes.
Say it: "Nah yeah, I'll come."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
No worries
It's fine. Also you're welcome, and also okay. It's the answer to thank you and the answer to sorry.
Say it: "No worries, mate."
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More: No worries, mate.
No worries, mate
It means no problem, or you're welcome. Adding mate gives the reply a friendly, informal tone when you agree to help, accept an apology or respond to thanks.
Say it: "Can you cover my shift? No worries, mate."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: No worries, mate.
P
Parmi
The chicken parmigiana on every pub menu is a parma in Victoria and a parmi in NSW and much of the rest of the country. That is Mark Gwynn's take, from the Australian National Dictionary Centre. He says measuring this one with any accuracy is a problem. Order either. The kitchen knows.
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Words by state.
Pull your head in
It means stop showing off, stop interfering, or bring yourself back into line. It is a blunt way of telling someone they have gone too far.
Say it: "Pull your head in, mate."
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More: Pull your head in.
R
Ripper
Excellent
Say it: "What a ripper of a day at the beach."
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
S
Schooner
In SA, schooner is the name for the small glass, about 285 mL, and the 425 mL glass is called a pint. Everywhere else a schooner is the 425 mL one.
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Words by state.
Servo
Petrol station. Also the pie, the coffee and the milk you buy there at 11pm. Petrol, not gas. Gas here is the stuff in the bottle under the barbie.
Say it: "Pull into the servo, I need water."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
She'll be right
It will be fine. Said about a leaking tent, a late bus, a ladder that wobbles. Calm, not a promise.
Say it: "Tyre's a bit low. She'll be right till Monday."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: She'll be right.
She's apples
It means everything is fine or going well. The she refers loosely to the situation, rather than necessarily to a woman or girl.
Say it: "Don't stress, she's apples."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: She's apples.
Smoko
The work break. Ten or fifteen minutes mid-morning, a coffee and a sit down. Smoking not required.
Say it: "Smoko's at ten, kettle's on."
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More: Australian slang words.
Snag
Sausage
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More: Australian slang dictionary.
Spit the dummy
It means losing your temper, often in a sudden or childish way. A dummy is a baby pacifier, so the picture is someone chucking a fit.
Say it: "He spat the dummy when his team lost."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Spit the dummy.
Stubby holder
Beer insulator
Say it: "It's a hot day today and we'll be drinking beers in the sun, so don't forget your stubby holder."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang dictionary.
Sunnies
Sunglasses.
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Sweet as
It means that is fine, no problem, or the plan works. As hangs off sweet without naming what it is as sweet as.
Say it: "You'll pick me up at six? Sweet as."
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More: Sweet as.
T
Taking the piss
Two meanings. Joking or winding someone up, which is friendly. Or taking advantage, which isn't. Tone tells you which.
Say it: "Nine bucks for a flat white? They're taking the piss."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Taking the piss.
Tell him he's dreaming
It means the idea is ridiculous and will not happen. It comes from The Castle, and Australians still use it for a price or plan that is way off.
Say it: "Bruce reckons he's going to sell his house for a million bucks. Tell him he's dreaming!"
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Tell him he's dreaming.
Thongs
Flip flops. Rubber sandals with a strap between the toes. Nothing to do with underwear, which will save you one very awkward conversation.
Say it: "Chuck your thongs on, we're walking to the beach."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang words.
Togs
Swimwear. It is the usual word in Queensland, and you will hear it further north too.
Say it: "Bring your togs, we are going to the pool after work."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Words by state.
Too easy
It means the request is simple and you are happy to do it. It is a casual yes, close to no worries, with a bit more bounce.
Say it: "Thanks for helping me out, mate. Oh, too easy, mate, any day!"
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Too easy.
U
Ute
Utility vehicle / pickup. Car at the front, tray at the back.
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Y
Yakka
Hard work
Say it: "That was hard yakka, digging holes in the sun all day."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Australian slang dictionary.
Yeah nah
No. The yeah is just softening the blow.
Say it: "Yeah nah, I'm staying in tonight."
Hear the recording already on this site.
More: Yeah, nah.
The rest is in the app
This page only uses words and clips that are already on the site. Learn in the Aussie Talk iPhone app has 6 stages, 46 lessons and 312 real Australian voice recordings. Those lesson recordings are never text to speech. You can also chat with Bruce, 3 free chats a day, use Translate with a free Slang of the day, and play the sport card game.
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