Australian Slang: Aussie Words & Phrases Explained
Author: Souvenirs Australia
From Arvo and Barbie to Bloke, Cobber & Chuck a Wobbly
Confused by Aussie slang? Discover popular Australian slang words and phrases, what they mean, how Australians use them and some classic old-school expressions.
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Aussie Lingo
Speak like an Aussie without getting completely lost
Australians have a habit of shortening words, inventing colourful expressions and turning perfectly ordinary English into something that can leave visitors scratching their heads.
From arvo and barbie to bloke, cobber and chuck a wobbly, this guide explains some popular Australian slang words and classic Aussie sayings.
Aussie Slang Example
Arvo
Meaning: afternoon
“See you this arvo for a barbie.”
Why Does Australian English Have So Much Slang?
Australian English has developed its own vocabulary, expressions and distinctive habit of shortening words. It is especially common to shorten a longer word and add endings such as -o, -ie or -y.
That's how afternoon becomes arvo, barbecue becomes barbie, ambulance officer becomes ambo and firefighter becomes firie.
The Very Aussie Art of Shortening Words
Australians don't always use the shortest possible sentence — but we certainly like shortening individual words.
The Australian National Dictionary Centre identifies the use of endings such as -o and -ie as a characteristic feature of informal Australian English.
Words such as arvo, smoko, ambo, firie, tradie and rellie are examples of this pattern.
Everyday Australia
Common Aussie Slang Words
These are the kinds of shortened words and informal expressions visitors are most likely to hear in everyday Australian conversation.
Arvo
Afternoon. “I'll see you this arvo.”
Barbie
Barbecue. “We're having a barbie on Saturday.”
Brekkie
Breakfast. “Want to grab brekkie?”
Bloke
An informal word for a man.
Ambo
An ambulance officer or paramedic.
Firie
A firefighter.
Tradie
A tradesperson such as a carpenter, electrician or plumber.
Rellie
A relative or family member.
Servo
A service station or petrol station.
Smoko
A short work break, traditionally a smoking break.
Ute
Short for utility vehicle.
Hard yakka
Hard work or strenuous labour.
Food & Drink
Aussie Food Slang
Food has produced plenty of Australian abbreviations of its own.
Snag
A sausage, particularly one cooked on a barbecue.
Coldie
A cold beer.
Avo
Avocado.
Parmy / Parma
Chicken parmigiana. The preferred version varies by region.
Schnitty
Schnitzel.
Flattie
A flat white coffee.
Classic Expressions
Classic Australian Slang & Sayings
Some Australian expressions make perfect sense once they're explained. Others sound completely bizarre even after you know what they mean.
She'll be apples
Everything will be okay or everything will work out.
Aussie battler
An ordinary Australian working hard and persevering through difficulties.
Aussie salute
The repeated hand movement used to wave flies away from your face.
Back o' Bourke
A very remote or isolated part of Australia.
Big bickies
A large amount of money.
Bingle
A minor car accident or collision.
Bludge
To avoid work, do very little or be lazy.
Cark it
To die or stop working completely.
Carry on like a pork chop
To make a fuss, overreact or behave foolishly.
Chuck a leftie
Turn left.
Chuck a wobbly
To have a tantrum or become very upset.
Coathanger
A nickname for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Cobber
A friend or mate. It's a classic term that is less common among younger Australians today.
Come a cropper
To fall heavily, fail or experience a setback.
Come the raw prawn
To try to deceive someone or treat them like a fool.
Crikey!
An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.
Crook
Unwell, bad or unsatisfactory. “I'm feeling a bit crook.”
Bag of fruit
Suit — an example of Australian rhyming slang.
Old-School Australia
Aussie Slang You May Hear Less Often Today
Australian slang changes over time. Some phrases remain widely understood but sound distinctly old-school, regional or deliberately stereotypical when used today.
Bewdy!
An enthusiastic expression similar to “beauty!” or “great!”
Stone the crows!
An old-fashioned expression of surprise.
Bloody galah
A foolish or silly person.
Brass monkey weather
Extremely cold weather.
Country dunny
A simple outdoor toilet, traditionally associated with rural Australia.
Banana-bender
An old nickname for someone from Queensland.
A quick note about Aussie slang:
Not every Australian uses every expression, and slang can vary by age, region and social group. Some classic expressions are now used jokingly or nostalgically rather than in everyday conversation.
Aussie Slang Isn't Just Something We Say
Australian expressions have also become part of souvenir culture, appearing on signs, clothing, novelty products and gifts.
If you're looking for something with a bit of Aussie humour, explore our dedicated range of Australian slang and lingo products.
Arvo means afternoon. Australians often say “this arvo” instead of “this afternoon”.
What does “barbie” mean in Australian slang?
Barbie is the common Australian abbreviation for barbecue.
Why do Australians shorten so many words?
Shortened forms ending in -o, -ie and -y are a distinctive feature of informal Australian English. Examples include arvo, smoko, ambo, firie and tradie.
What does “chuck a wobbly” mean?
It means to have a tantrum, become very upset or make a dramatic fuss.
Do Australians still say “cobber”?
The word is still widely recognised, but the Australian National Dictionary Centre notes that it is somewhat dated and is rarely used by younger Australians.
Is Australian slang the same everywhere?
No. Australian slang can vary by state, region, generation and social group, and some expressions are much more common than others.
Language references:
This guide was updated using Australian English resources from the Australian National Dictionary Centre at the Australian National University and the Australian Government's Study Australia resources.
Australian National Dictionary Centre
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Study Australia
Now You're Talking Like an Aussie
Whether you're visiting Australia, sending an Aussie gift overseas or simply trying to understand what your Australian mate is talking about, a little Aussie lingo goes a long way.
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