Australians commonly call female friends "mates," a gender-neutral term for friends, though it can also be used playfully or to express annoyance; other terms include "girlfriends" (for close friends, not just romantic partners), "chicks," or just their names, with "mate" being very versatile for any friend, male or female, showing camaraderie.
Mate. “Mate” is a popular word for friend. And while it's used in other English-speaking countries around the world, it has a special connection to Australia.
Though it is not as common as it once was, “sheila” is the Australian slang for girl or woman. It originally came from the Irish name Síle, which was exclusively used with women.
' 'Darls', of course, is short for 'darling'. I don't recall hearing the term used outside Australia, although British shop assistants—especially Northern ones—readily employ terms like 'love', 'sweetheart' 'poppet', 'pet' and 'my lovely'.
Mate = Friend
One of the most commonly used Australian slang words, "mate", refers to a friend, buddy, or companion.
Woop Woop is used to refer to a place in the middle of nowhere. People use it to signify that a location is far away, unfamiliar to them, and difficult to get to.
Users of Internet slang and SMS slang often shorten "girlfriend" to the initialism "gf". Additionally, gender-indiscriminate terms also apply (e.g., lover, heartthrob, paramour, squeeze, sweetheart, true love, wooer, date, steady, admirer, bae, or companion).
Bestie “Bestie” is a short AAVE term for “best friend.” It's typically used by women, but it can be used by anyone and for anyone, as long as the person you're referring to is your best friend.
Some guys go the "classic" route with names like "angel," "darling," and "sweetheart"; some prefer food-inspired nicknames, like "cookie" and "cupcake"; and some straight-up worship their partners with loving names like "queen," "goddess," and "light of my life."
"Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, Oi, Oi, Oi!" is a popular Australian sports chant, a variation of the British "Oggy, Oggy, Oggy" cheer, used to express national pride and support for Australian teams, with "Ozzy" being slang for "Australian" and "Oi, Oi, Oi" a general interjection for enthusiasm or attention, much like "USA!". The chant involves one group shouting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!" and the crowd responding "Oi, Oi, Oi!".
While the word originally referred to physical attractiveness, modern usage is broader. Australians commonly use hottie in a light-hearted, casual way to describe people, outfits, homes, cars, or even design pieces that look great.
A "bogan" in Australia (and New Zealand) is slang for an uncouth, unsophisticated, or unrefined person, often from a working-class background, characterized by specific tastes, fashion (like mullets, flannelette shirts), speech, and behavior, though the term can be derogatory, humorous, or even self-adopted, depending on context and intent, referring to a laid-back, anti-establishment attitude rather than just poverty.
Common Australian slang for a girl includes "Sheila" (older, sometimes dated or slightly derogatory), "chick," or just using general terms like "mate," "gal," or "lass," with context and tone being important, but "girl" is still widely used; some slang, like "moll," can refer to a girlfriend or a promiscuous woman, while "bogan" describes an unsophisticated person.
C O B B A /ˈkɒbə/ noun INFORMAL•AUSTRALIAN Alternate way of spelling 'Cobber', Australian colloquial for mate, friend, good bloke.
Cobber – Very good friend. 'Alright me 'ol cobber'.
Sweet Best Friend Nicknames
3. Fam. Fam is a shorter word for family, but don't be fooled—it can be used to describe your friends or the way Millennials use “bro.”
she (slang) sheila (Australia, slang) skirt (US, offensive slang) squaw (now offensive, ethnic slur) thot (US, offensive slang)
Cute Nicknames for Girlfriends
Bae – Boyfriend or girlfriend.
An inclusive, gender-neutral label
“Partner” became a popular term to use in the LGBTQIA+ communities to denote a romantic relationship is serious, said Harrison.
Here are 5 common Aussie slang words/phrases: G'day (hello), Mate (friend), Arvo (afternoon), No worries (no problem/you're welcome), and Barbie (barbecue), with many Aussies shortening words (like Brekkie for breakfast, Servo for gas station) and using colourful terms for everyday things.
"Hoo-ha" (or hoo-hah) slang means a noisy fuss, commotion, or excitement, often over something trivial, but it can also euphemistically refer to female genitalia. It's an informal term for a "brouhaha," "hullabaloo," or general to-do, signifying uproar or fuss, but sometimes used to describe a state of arousal or, less commonly, male anatomy, though its primary use is for commotion or female anatomy.
inferior in character or quality; seedy; sleazy.