Australia’s official language is English, but if you’re traveling Down Under for the first time, you may have trouble understanding the locals. In addition to the Australian accent, which may sound strange to foreigners, Aussies use a large number of slang words, terms, and phrases. In a sentence filled with Australian slang, it is possible to feel as though you are hearing an entirely different language.
There are countless Australian slang terms to learn, but you should familiarize yourself with the most common ones so the locals don’t think you’re an idiot.
Woop Woop
If you travel to Australia, you will likely encounter the phrase “woop woop” sooner or later. Essentially, this refers to any location that is isolated, remote, or considered to be far from your local area. Therefore, if you ask a local where your hotel is and they tell you it’s in “woop woop,” this is very bad news.
This one is relatively simple to comprehend and implement while in Australia. You can use it to describe the location of a place instead of “in the middle of nowhere.”
Buckley’s Chance
Australians will sometimes say that you have “Buckley’s chance” or “Buckley’s hope” of accomplishing something. This indicates that you have little or no chance of succeeding in whatever endeavor you are pursuing. You might hear that you have “Buckley’s hope” of spotting a kangaroo in Sydney’s central business district or “Buckey’s chance” of getting a table at a crowded restaurant. Occasionally, they simply say “Buckley’s.”
William Buckley, a convict who escaped his ship in 1803 and became a peacemaker between European settlers and Indigenous Australians, is credited with coining the term.
She’ll Be Right
When an Australian says “she’ll be right,” it is easy to become confused. The phrase does not refer to a woman, nor does it describe someone who is correct. This is merely a way of saying that everything will turn out well in the end. In this instance, “she’ll” refers to everything, while “be right” refers to being okay or all right.
If you express your concerns to an Australian, you may hear this phrase. On the way to the airport, if you tell the driver you’re worried you’ll miss your flight, he or she will likely respond with a casual, “Nah, she’ll be fine.”
Thongs
Many first-time visitors to Australia are completely surprised when instructed to remove their “thongs” before entering a pool or spa. But don’t fret! In Australia, flip-flops are known as thongs. A thong is a single pair of flip-flops. Since Australia has such a strong beach culture and thongs are the standard footwear, you will likely hear this term frequently.
In Australia, what Americans refer to as a thong is called a G-string. So you should be alarmed if you are instructed to remove your G-string, but not your thongs!
Brekky
After a few days in Australia, you’ll undoubtedly hear this phrase. “Brekky” is an alternative term for breakfast, but it has the same number of syllables and is not shorter to say. It is less formal and more relaxed, reflecting the typical Australian attitude toward life.
So, what will you find at a typical Australian breakfast? The majority of major hotels offer international breakfast buffets with traditional items such as eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, pancakes, and an assortment of pastries. And next to the toast machine, alongside the butter, you will find Vegemite.
Tall Poppy Syndrome
While in Australia, I hope nobody accuses you of having “tall poppy syndrome.” Also used in England, this phrase means that you can’t stand it when your peers are more successful than you. Consider a poppy that grows taller than the others and is subsequently trimmed so as not to overshadow the others.
Those affected by this condition have a tendency to attempt to discredit or bring down those they perceive to be more successful than themselves. It is neither a good appearance nor a compliment.
Footy
The term “Footy” refers to football, but not the type you may be imagining. Football in the United States is known as American football. European football is what Americans refer to as soccer. However, in Australia, “football” refers to Australian Rules Football. Aussie Rules Football is a rough contact sport in which two teams of 18 players attempt to kick the ball between two posts on either side of an oval-shaped field.
Along with “footy,” you may hear “avo” in place of avocado, “choccy” in place of chocolate, and “sickie” in place of a sick day.
Bathers
When you first hear this term, you may envision a group of individuals taking a bath. However, “bathers” refers to swimwear. It could be a bikini, a one-piece swimsuit, or some other type of swimwear.
Given Australia’s beach culture, you will likely hear this term frequently. You will encounter stores selling “bathers” and hear people gushing about how much they adore their new pair. A “budgie smuggler” is a similar term for tight speedos worn by men, which you will likely hear but hopefully never see.
Spit The Dummy/Have A Whinge
If you “spit the dummy,” you will not have a very good reputation among your Australian friends. Similar to a crying infant spitting out its pacifier, “spitting the dummy” refers to throwing a tantrum over something. When their team loses, some ardent Australian Rules Football fans may spit the dummy.
“Complaining” is comparable to “spitting the dummy.” This indicates that you are complaining, and not in a particularly productive or constructive manner. “Whinging” is whining, and is seen as obnoxious behavior.
No Dramas
Most Australians are so laid-back that they have a plethora of phrases to express that there is no cause for concern. The phrase “no drama” is used to indicate that there is no issue. In this context, drama refers to a problem or something going wrong, neither of which are present.
You may thank an Australian for going above and beyond for you, and they will respond, “No worries.” Depending on the context, it can mean “don’t worry about it,” “you’re welcome,” or “no worries.”
Topic: 10 Slang Words And Phrases You’ll Need To Know In Australia
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