Australia – a country filled with sun, sea, sand, notoriously large quantities of alcohol and – it turns out – a language barrier.
Yes, they might speak English Down Under, but they’ve chucked in a fair few phrases that’ll have you upside down and inside out in no time. From Galah to the Aussie Salute, here’s just 12 of our faves.
Accadacca
It’s what Australians affectionately call AC/DC, the legendary rock band. It embodies the laid-back, shortcut-loving spirit of Straya (that’s short for Australia, by the way).
Rock on.
Arvo
The Aussie abbreviation for “afternoon.” Perfect for phrases like, “Let’s grab a cold one this arvo.” Efficient, practical, and just a smidge charming – classic Australian ingenuity.
Aussie Salute
A truly iconic move. It’s not a formal wave or a nod to the flag; no, it’s the universal gesture of swatting away flies! With the Outback’s persistent little nuisances, Aussies have perfected this casual, slightly irritated hand motion. Bonus points if you can do it while holding a beer and not spilling a drop. Cheers to multitasking.
Coldie
The Australian term for a cold beer. Because why say “cold beverage”? It’s the perfect companion to a hot arvo, a backyard barbie (that’s a barbeque, if you didn’t know) or just about any moment of Aussie life that requires liquid refreshment. Cheers to that.
Tracky Daks
Aussie slang for tracksuit bottoms, the go-to attire for lounging and quick trips to the servo (petrol station). Pair them with some ugg boots for the ultimate fashion statement – or anti-fashion statement, really. Comfy, daggy (a little bit eccentric), and quintessentially Aussie.
Drongo
The ultimate Aussie way of calling someone a fool or an idiot. Whether it’s your mate who forgot to bring the esky (a cool box) to the barbie or someone who’s just had a spectacularly bad idea, they’re a drongo. It’s a term of derision, sure, but also oddly affectionate. After all, everyone’s been a drongo at some point.
Cab Sav
Aussie shorthand for Cabernet Sauvignon. Because why pronounce the whole fancy name of this red wine when you can abbreviate it and get to drinking faster? Perfect for pairing with an arvo of pretending you know what “tannins” are. Classy yet casual – like most things in Australia.
Fair Dinkum
The Swiss Army knife of Aussie expressions! Depending on context, it can mean “genuine,” “true,” or “seriously?” Someone tells you a wild story, and you hit them with, “Fair dinkum?” Or you’re vouching for your mate: “He’s a fair dinkum legend.” It’s versatile, authentically Aussie, and the perfect phrase to prove you’re the real deal.
No wuckas (see below), mate.
Manchester
Down under, ‘Manchester’ refers to household linens: sheets, pillowcases, towels, that sort of thing. Why? Blame the early days of trade when linens were pretty much all imported from Manchester, England. So, if someone’s shopping for “Manchester,” they’re not planning a holiday – they just need a new doona (that’s a duvet to us) cover.
Practical as ever.
No Wucka’s
An Aussie twist on “no worries.” Also short for “no wuckin’ furries,” which is a playful spoonerism of the original phrase. It means everything’s cool, no problem, don’t stress. Perfect for reassuring your mate who’s apologizing for spilling your beer: “No wuckas, mate, we’ll grab another coldie.”
Pash
A passionate kiss, usually one that involves a bit more enthusiasm than one on the cheek. It’s the kind of kiss that’s more “smooch” and less “quick peck.” You might hear, “Did you two have a pash?” when someone’s trying to be nosy about your love life.
Galah
A “galah” isn’t just a brightly coloured, noisy bird. In Aussie slang, calling someone a “galah” is like calling them a bit of a fool or an idiot. You know, the kind of person who might blurt something out at the wrong time or make a totally dodgy decision. Not the sharpest tool in the shed.