English-speaking visitors also think they don’t have to contend with any sort of language barriers by relocating to the land down under… but that’s where they might be wrong.
While Australians do in fact speak English, it could be considered to be its own brand of English. Before you hop on a plane and head to the land of kangaroos and koalas, check out these slang terms you’re likely to hear around during your travels and their meanings.
Bloody Oath – Something that is true. Example: “Australia’s the best country in the world? Bloody oath it is!”
Bludger – Someone who is lazy and reliant on others to support themselves. Example: “the bludger’s been sleeping on my couch for the last month.”
Bogan – A stereotypical country Australian, typically seen wearing a singlet (wife beater), shorts (stubbies) and flip flops (thongs), and spends the day drinking beers. They are also most likely to use Aussie slang. Example: “That mullet makes you look like an even bigger bogan than before!”
Budgie Smugglers – Men’s swimwear. Example: “Ken’s budgie smugglers aren’t leaving much to the imagination.”
Dead Horse: Tomato sauce. Example: “Pass us the dead sauce would you, love?”
Fair Dinkum: Something that is genuine and true. Example: “The fish I caught was bigger than my boat, fair dinkum.”
Spit The Dummy: When someone becomes quite upset at something. Example: “I heard that Jerry and Judy are getting a divorce – apparently she got sick of how much time he spent on the golf course and she spat the dummy.”
Flat Out Like A Lizard Drinking: To be incredibly busy. Example: “Ever since we added hot chips to the menu our store’s been flat out like a lizard drinking.”
Going Off: An event that is particularly fun. Example: “By the time I got to Meryl’s birthday party it was going off!”
Moolah: Money, or cash. Example: “Have to stay at home tonight; I’m all out of moolah.”
No Drama: An expression that there is nothing to worry about. Example: “You want me to pick you up in 30 minutes? No drama.”
She’ll Be Right: Everything is going to be OK. Example: “Nah I don’t think I broke my arm, she’ll be right.”
Servo: A service station where one can purchase petrol. Example: “I need the dunny – can you stop at this servo coming up on the left?”
Shoot Through: Leave from somewhere. Example: “It’s getting late, time for me to shoot through I think.”
Stickybeak: Check something out, or a description for someone who is nosy. Example: “Yeah I might go round for a bit of a stickybeak.”
True Blue: Someone who is patriotic to Australia. Example: “I reckon Steve Irwin was one of the most true blue blokes to ever live.”
Up Yourself/Themselves: Someone who has a particularly high opinion of themselves or strong ego. Example: “I’ve never met anyone as up himself as that Johnny fella.”
Now that your vocabulary is up to scratch, make sure you check out Fragile Removals to handle all your moving needs. We’ve also got a great moving house checklist and change of address advice to further help you with the process.
