36 Words and Phrases to Connect with Your Australian Audience

By: Chris Reid, Account Manager With Australia Day here, we thought it would be a good idea to take a moment to figure out what the heck those Aussies are saying! While researching this piece I realized that a few seemingly harmless phrases in North American English have some pretty, let’s say unfortunate, translations down under. We’ve compiled a list of hard-to-decipher and easily confusing Australian words and phrases to keep you out of trouble, and to connect you better with your Aussie readers and friends. Words and phrases that make you go hmmmmm†¦.? The following is a list of commonly used words and phrases that could lead to a difficult conversation about some pretty simple topics. However, if used correctly, these terms could help you sound like a local and develop better relationships with your Aussie friends. Arvo = Afternoon Bathers = swim suit Bloody oath = that’s the truth Boozer = pub Bush telly = campfire Blow in = uninvited party guest Bonnet = hood of a car Capsicum = red, green, yellow or orange peppers Chippy = Carpenter Chook = Chicken Chrissy = Christmas Chuck a sickie = Call in sick to work Chuck a U’e = make a U-turn Crook = to be sick Cuppa = a hot drink Esky = drink or food cooler Flat out = busy Flat white = latte Good on ya = good job How ya going? = how are you doing? Knackered = tired Mozzies = mosquitoes Nappies = diapers No worries mate = it’s all good Pash = a passionate kiss Petrol = gas for a vehicle Pokies = poker machines Reckon = to think or assume Rock up = to arrive Sanger = sandwich Schooner = 16oz beer glass Servo = gas station Stubbie = Bottle of beer Sunnies = Sunglasses Ta = thanks Whinge = complain or whine Words to use with caution: Barbie: This one can cause quite a confusion when a grown man talks about how much he loves his Barbie. But all is righted when he cooks you the most delicious kanga-bangers (kangaroo sausages) on his Barbie (barbeque). Boot: When someone asks you to throw it in your boot, they don’t generally expect you to walk around with something in your shoe. A boot, is the trunk of a car. Dead Horse: When eating at a restaurant, if someone asks you to pass them the dead horse, don’t run off just yet. What they mean is â€Å"could you please pass the ketchup?† Thong: Down under they refer to thongs as sandals, which you put on your feet. Spewin’: To say someone is spewing does not mean they are being sick. Instead, it means they are very, very angry. You’re on your way to creating Ripper (really great) Aussie content: With all this Fair Dinkum (genuine) knowledge you should be all set to Aussie it up with the best of them and avoid making a Barry (mistake). Just remember: she’ll be right mate! Ta!