Australians commonly call older, respected men (especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders) "Uncle," but also use it affectionately for close family friends, much like "Aunty," though it's best to ask if you're unsure. Beyond these honorifics, you might hear terms like "Bud," "Mate," or just their first name, depending on the family and relationship.
Many Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples address male respected senior members of the community, known as elders, as "uncle" (and women as "aunty") as a mark of seniority and respect, whether related or not, such as Uncle Archie (Roach) and Uncle Jack Charles.
Here are some popular uncle nicknames.
Elders are sometimes addressed by other Aboriginal people as Uncle or Aunty as a mark of respect. The honorific may be used by non-Aboriginal people, but generally only when permission is given to do so.
In slang, "uncle" usually means to surrender or admit defeat, as in "cry uncle," but "Unc" (short for uncle) also refers to older men, often with respect or humor for their "dad/older guy" energy, while in the UK, "uncle" can mean a pawnbroker, and "Bob's your uncle" means "and there you have it".
The term "unc" is short for uncle. It's used—often jokingly—to refer to someone who's old, old-fashioned, or out of touch with current trends.
Unc is a slang term that is a shortening of the word “uncle.” It is often used humorously on the internet in the phrase “unc status” to imply that someone is old, getting old, or acting older than their age. Someone referred to as unc may also exhibit behaviors that are considered outdated or out of touch.
"Straya" is a colloquial, affectionate, and humorous slang term for Australia, representing a shortened, phonetic pronunciation of the country's name, often used in a casual context to show national identity and a laid-back attitude. It embodies the Australian tendency to shorten words and can be heard in phrases like "G'day, Straya!".
To be respectful of the cultural significance and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, terms such as 'mob', 'Aunty/Uncle', 'tidda', etc should only be used by First Nations peoples or by those who have been given explicit permission from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
Meeka Meaning: The Aboriginal word for moon.
Calling an elder by their first name is often considered disrespectful because of how we're raised to honor those older than us. So when you hear someone say “Auntie” or “Uncle,” it's more than a title—it's a cultural expression of respect.
Titi is also a cute/baby word for aunt/uncle in Portuguese.
Alternative Names for Your Uncle
Nukkan has got to be one of my favourite local indigenous language words that I have learnt and has made its way into my common lexicon. It is a Ngarrindjeri (Coorong) word meaning "To look you in the eye" or "To see" It can mean a number of different things depending on the context upon which it is said.
Word: Rellies – Aussie slang for relatives or family members! 🏡💛 ✅ “Spending the weekend with my rellies!”
Using terms such as "the Aborigines" or "the Aboriginal people" tends to suggest that Aboriginal people/s are all the same, and thus stereotypes Indigenous Australians. The fact is that Indigenous Australia is multicultural.
LAMBRUK: a homestead. LANGI: dwelling. LARNOOK: habitation. LARUNDEL: camp. LUMEAH: here I rest.
Did you know Bondi or Boondi is actually an Aboriginal word meaning "water breaking over rocks" or "noise of water breaking over rocks." ?
"Oy oy oy" in Australia is most famously part of the patriotic chant "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!" used at sporting events to show national pride, but "Oi" also functions as a general Australian informal interjection, like "hey" or "excuse me," to get someone's attention. The chant itself comes from the British "Oggy Oggy Oggy" cheer for Cornish pasties and became popular in Australia after the 2000 Olympics.
Pommy or pom
The terms pommy, pommie, and pom used in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand usually denote a British person.
Mozzie: short for mosquito. No drama/s: this is Aussie speak for no problem.
It's quite common, for example, for kids to address an unknown stranger on the street using "uncle" or "aunty" - it's merely a respectful way of addressing an older person.
These general nicknames will work for just about any uncle in your life.