Insider Guides International Student Guide to Melbourne | Page 25

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Don’t understand a flamin’ word anyone is saying? Australians do have a
tendency to shorten words, not to mention make up a few words of their own.
Here are a few key Aussie slang words to make your life a bit easier:

Glossary of Terms

Lingo - Language

Arvo – Afternoon

Main drag - Main road or street through a
town

Band-aid - Plaster/Plastic bandage (brand
name)

Manchester - Household linen

Barby - (abr.) Barbecue

Mozzie - Mosquito

Big night - An exhausting evening

Nick - To steal

Bloke - Man

No worries! – Expression of forgiveness or
reassurance

Bogan - A very uncouth individual
Bottle-o - Drive through beverage retailer

Postie - (abr.) Postman
Ring-in - Substitute

Breaky - Breakfast

Ripper - Great

Cactus - Broken or damaged

Sanga - Sandwich

Chunder - Vomit

Schoolies - End of school celebrations

Crook - Sickly or ill

Servo – Petrol station

Dag - Unfashionable

Shonky – Poor quality

Dead set – Certain; assured

Shout - To buy drinks for everyone

Devo - (abr.) Devastated
Digger - Soldier

Sickie – A day taken off work, but not
necessarily because of illness

Dodge - Considered of low quality, or
untrustworthy

Smoko - Smoke or coffee break
Snags – Sausages

Doona - Bed cover or quilt.

Spewin - Vomiting or angry

Dunny - Outside toilet

Strewth - Used in a state of shock

Durry - Cigarette
Esky – Portable icebox (brand name)

Sunnies - Sunglasses
Tinnie - Can of beer

Fair dinkum – True, genuine

Tucker - Food

G’Day - Hello

Uni - Universit