Linguistic convenience at its finest. Enjoy the following Aussie slang words:
1. “Can’t Be Bothered”
There is no easy American phrase that explains “I could do that, but no, no I don’t think I will do that, just because I don’t feel like it.” Can’t Be Bothered uses minimal effort to express minimal effort.
2. “My Shout”
Meaning: “I’ve got this round, or I’ve got the tab.” Aussies are great at not splitting checks and just taking turns paying for things. Why are they screaming? Probably because they get the most shouty at the pub.
3. “Mates”
Why should mating just be for the Discovery Channel? There’s nothing like a night out with your mates.
4. “Uni”
Seriously, why do we even say college? If you aren’t going to a community college, you’re going to a university. They call it “uni” because that’s what it is.
5. “Sus it Out” or “The Sus”
The “sus” is when something or someone is being suspicious and the Australian betches are gossiping about it. I’m going to give you “the sus” sounds less naughty than admitting to gossip.
6. “No Dramas,” “No Worries”
It’s like saying “take a chill pill” and “you’re welcome” and “it’s going to be alright” all at the same time.
7. “What a Beaut”
There are so many beautiful people in Australia, they must have just needed a quicker way to say beautiful… after all, they have to say it so often.
8. “Bloody Oath”
Meaning: “That’s the truth.” But it just sounds so cute when they say it that you want to believe them (regardless of whether or not they’re lying).
9. “Brekky”
No one wants to say “breakfast” that early in the morning. Seriously, coffee is already two syllables, we don’t need two more. Brekky will do.
10. “Bogans”
We definitely don’t have a word for bogans in America. Generally, it could be said that it means calling someone “tasteless.” Thank you Australians for coming up with a derogatory term towards all people you dislike. (Okay so “Bogans” isn’t exactly the nicest word, but it is pretty funny).
11. “Mucking Around”
Fooling around sounds too much like fun. Mucking around, that’s when you know they’re getting into trouble.
12. “I’m knackered”
Exhausted sounds like you’ve collapsed. But knackered sounds like someone took an iron club to your back until you couldn’t work anymore. Just saying, sometimes we do get that tired.
13. “Taking a Sickie” or “Chucking a Sickie”
You know, “playing hooky,” except it sounds more believable.
14. “Keen”
Meaning “up for it,” “willing,” whatever… the Aussie answer is yes!
Kangaroo photo courtesy of Matty Teague Photography ©
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Hey Steph! Aren’t many of these phrases English in origin? I wouldn’t really consider them Australian, per se.
Also, FYI – by definition, a university is an institution of high learning that provides both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. So it is still definitely possible to go to a college that is not a community college.
Sorry for the late reply! I’m sure they are, but I lived in Australia, so that’s where I was exposed to them :) It’s all in good humor.
I think you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to research it on my own. Thanks
This is hilarious, most of these are Kiwi slang terms too
I think us Aussies are basically lazy with our English and that’s why everything is abbreviated 🤣 there are quite a few more but one of my favs is Exy as in expensive 😁
it always makes me laugh when I see Aussie slang. We are so guilty of having our own “lingo” = language
Another one you could add to your list is chook
Chook = chicken :)
Bogan is absolutely a word that American’s need to use more because “bogan” is just Aussie for “Florida Man.” :D
“University” and “College” are two different institutions; Colleges focus on certain, specific programs, whilst universities have a broad array of subjects.