What does "Bloody oath" mean?
It means absolutely or a very definite yes. Bloody adds emphasis, making the reply sound enthusiastic or strongly in agreement.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
Bloody oath
Example
Bloody oath I'll be there.
How Aussies use it
Making weekend plans
Matt: You coming to the barbie on Saturday?
Josh: Bloody oath! I'll bring the snags.
A barbie is a barbecue, and snags are sausages. Josh is giving a very enthusiastic yes.
Watching the footy
Raj: Was that the best game of the season?
Ben: Bloody oath it was.
Footy means football. Ben strongly agrees.
On a hot day
Ella: Hot one today, eh?
Dave: Bloody oath. Forty degrees by lunch.
Eh at the end means right? Dave agrees, strongly.
How to reply
- "Good stuff. See you there." Good stuff means great. Use this when they have said yes to a plan.
- "Too right." Too right means definitely. Use it to agree back.
When to use it
Use it with friends when you strongly agree or want to give a big, happy yes. It sounds enthusiastic and very Australian.
When not to use it
Bloody is mild swearing in Australia. It is common among friends, but skip it in a job interview, with customers, around young children, or with anyone who doesn't like swearing. Say "absolutely" or "definitely" instead.
Where it comes from
It is a stronger form of my oath, an Australian and New Zealand exclamation that is often used to mean yes. Green's Dictionary of Slang has my oath in print from 1847, and my bloody oath from 1848.
Questions about "Bloody oath"
Is bloody oath rude?
It is mild swearing because of the word bloody. Among friends it is usually fine, but it is not for formal situations.
Do Aussies still say bloody oath?
Yes, in casual chat. You may also hear the shorter my oath, which means the same thing and has no swearing in it.
What is a polite way to say bloody oath?
My oath, absolutely, definitely and too right all work, with no swearing.
