How to Talk "Aussie": Dictionary of Australian Slang, Strine and Colloquialisms (A, B, C)

John was born and raised in Australia. Subsequently, he is interested in all things Australian: language, sport and culture.

Talking Aussie

Australia is a country of diverse flora, fauna and landscapes. It also has it's own diverse take on the English language. In fact apart from our distinct accent Australia has become quite famous for it's slang, colloquialisms and strine.

G'day, mate..didya'avagoodweegend? which means "Good-day, my friend...did you have a good weekend?" is a common greeting in Australia.

Oh....the refinements of Australian English or "Strine" as it is known. Australians also tend to speak with a rising intonation which makes their sentences sound like questions. So, please don't think you are always being questioned !

The term "Strine" was coined in 1964 and is used to describe a broad Australian accent as well as the slang terms used. It derives from saying the word "Australian" through both closed teeth and the nose - a local accent that some claim arose from the need to keep the mouth ("trap") shut while speaking, against blow flies ("blowies").

The naturalist and TV presenter Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) was once referred to as the person who "talked Strine like no other contemporary personality"

The dictionary of Australian slang is very extensive so I have only included those terms beginning with the letters A, B and C in this hub. As well a this I have tried to focus on distinctly Australian terms, not those borrowed and imported from Britain (please forgive me if I happen to still include one or two....maybe any British readers may let me know). The decision to publish this article is the result of a number of readers commenting and showing interest in my use of Australian terms/slang in my other articles.

If this article proves popular it will just be the beginning of a series that in total will become "The Dictionary of Australian Slang, Strine, and Colloquialisms."

Warning! Some words and terms may offend some readers. I have tried to keep this list as tasteful as possible without detracting from our rich and unique language by censoring too heavily. Some words that may be considered vulgar or rude in other languages are used as terms of exclamation and surprise, or even endearment In Australia.

A a

B b