For example, ‘the mozzies during the summer are ravenous.’ Mozzie – This is an Aussie diminutive word meaning mosquito. For example, ‘these boot’s material is fair dinkum.’ This is similar to how in American English, Kleenex has become the popular term for a tissue.įair Dinkum – This slang term is refers to something that is excellent quality or the genuine article. It is a derivative of the word “Eskimo.” Eskimo is a popular cooler brand in Australia, thus the endearing diminutive. a box full of ice to keep your beer cold on a hot day. it means that you are tired of or disgusted with something.Įsky – This word means a cooler, i.e. However the word takes on a negative connotation in British English, i.e. In Australia, after a meal, people sometimes say I am “chockers”, which means full. This word may create a frightful disagreement between the English cook and an Australian restaurant for one simple reason, the word has two distinct meanings in each culture. Don’t be surprised if you see growing contempt in the cook’s eyes. The patron, having just enjoyed his meal exclaims “this food has made me chockers”. This word is simply the Australian slang for a liquor store.Ĭhockers – Picture an Australian patron at an English restaurant. However, don’t be fooled by this deceptive sounding word. No arvo, pronounced “ah-vo”, it is not an insult, it is a friendly greeting and a way of saying good afternoon.īottle-O – In the ears of a British or American English speaker, bottle-o might sound like a shortened version of bottle opener. So, let’s delve into some phrases that will give you the tools to fully participate in Australian culture!Īrvo – If you are walking down the streets of Melborne, and suddenly you hear someone shout “ah-vo”, don’t be offended. Learning Australian slang words gives the learner a unique way to directly participate and immerse himself directly in the culture, a culture forged in a unique history. The morphology of Australian slang words was influenced by many cultures, including, but not limited to, the forbearing British English, aboriginal languages, and other languages that have had an influence on Australian English throughout the centuries. It is neat to note that Australian slang did not develop in a vacuum it developed over centuries with help from many historical developments and circumstances, through many stories, arduous journeys, and loving family conversations. This is undeniably true of Australian slang words For example, it is hard to know exactly when Australian people started using the often-endearing diminutives, such as “footie” or “bikie”, suffixes that make even the most fearsome words like “motorcycle gang” seem like a toddler’s playtime toy. The derivation of most slang terms is often clouded in ambiguity that is, it is often hard to pinpoint where exactly the first meaning or usage came about. When and where you can use these Australian slang words Australian slang is peppered with a vast and unique set of words, words developed within a rich history, and spoken with a charming, but vaguely, English brogue. Australian slang words are no expectation. Learning slang will help a traveler or expat not only understand the subtleties of a conversation, but it will allow the speaker to become fully immersed in a cultural experience a gift that is easily achieved with a little patience and a little curiosity about the unknown. It offers a unique insight into another culture, a peek into the customs and attitudes, and even the intricacies of a society. Trying to traverse their way through even the most basic to advanced phonics, grammar, and verb tenses sometimes seems like more than enough of a challenge, it makes even the most astute learners want to pull their hair out in frustration, but introducing new words with often ambiguous meaning and out-of-dictionary usage drive even the most resolute language learners to want to surrender in defeat.īut please don’t fear these strange and foreign words! Learning slang is not that difficult, and it is sincerely a lot of fun. A learner often feels like they are making strides beginning to understand words in so many different contexts, and even beginning to use their synonyms interchangeably, only to be snuck up on, and humbled, by the dreaded slang or idiomatic term. Slang words and idioms are a constant nemesis of language learners. Why learning the local slang is important Many parts of learning a language can seem difficult and this is especially true when it comes to learning slang. This may sound like a glib statement to those who have never tried to learn one but for anyone out to speak another tongue, from a complete novice who is just beginning to pick up a phrase book, to the most hardened advanced learners making their way through the most advanced grammar, facing constant new challenges daily can make learning a language seem daunting. Learning a new language can be immensely challenging.
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