Australians use "Wow" and "Oh wow," but also exclamations like "Crikey!," "Strewth!," or "You little ripper!" for surprise or amazement, with terms like "Bonza," "Beauty," or "Ripper" describing something excellent, rather than just expressing the "wow" sound itself.
Good on ya = Great job or well done. Granny flat = A separate living accommodation, usually attached to the home or in a separate building in the back of the home. "How ya going?" = "How are you doing?"
In Australian slang, "wag" has two main meanings: it can describe someone witty and fun (like "what a wag"), often a playful character; or, used as a verb "wag," it means to skip school or work without permission, derived from Northern English slang for wandering off. While the first meaning is older and less common now, "wagging" school is still understood, though it's becoming more formal.
BONZA. = AWESOME, EXCELLENT, TERRIFIC! Also try alternative spelling 'BONZER', or 'BEAUT', 'BEAUTY' or 'RIPPER'!
Scorcher. A really hot day can be described as a 'scorcher'. "Tomorrow's going to be a scorcher. Let's head to the beach."
“G'day” One of the most iconic Australian phrases is “G'day,” which is a shortened form of “good day.” It's a casual greeting that can be used at any time of day and is often accompanied by a nod or a wave. You'll hear this phrase all the time in Australia, so it's a good one to know.
"Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, Oi Oi Oi" (often written as "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi") is a patriotic Australian sports chant, a rallying cry of national pride, originating from older British cheers like "Oggy Oggy Oggy," with "Aussie" being slang for Australian, and "Oi" functioning as an emphatic interjection, similar to "Hey!" or "Go!". It's used at sporting events, sometimes considered a bit cheesy or "cringey" by some Australians, but generally seen as an inclusive way to support national teams.
The most Australian thing to say often involves casual abbreviations, laid-back optimism like "She'll be right" or "No worries," and unique slang for everyday items, such as "Arvo" (afternoon) or "Barbie" (barbecue), often delivered with "mate," making phrases like "G'day, mate, chuck us a coldie at the barbie this arvo?" quintessentially Aussie.
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.
like your bum is your fanny. In Australia, your front bum is your fanny, if you're a girl.
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.
For many First Nations people (and plenty of non-Indigenous Australians) Dorrie is a word for someone who's extra curious or nosey. The term is thought to have come from Dorrie Evans, a character in the 1970s Australian TV soap opera Number 96.
Australians say "oi" as a versatile interjection, similar to "hey" or "excuse me," to get attention, express surprise, or show disapproval, evolving from British working-class speech (Cockney) and often used in a casual, sometimes cheeky, way, but also famously as a patriotic chant in sports like "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi". Its meaning depends heavily on tone and context, ranging from friendly to confrontational.
American Slang
Bugger. (Noun/verb/adjective) A mild profanity that's also one of the most versatile words in Australian English. Exclamation; “Bugger! I dropped some more avo on myself.”
Australian slang for a mosquito.
“Arvo” means afternoon. According to the Australian National Dictionary Centre, the word was first recorded in 1920. In Australian English, an “-o” is commonly added to shortened words.
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.
1. Arvo. This is arguably the most used word on the whole list. Arvo is short for afternoon.
The $10 note is referred to as a "tenner" or again, less commonly, a "Blue Swimmer", other variations of this nickname exist such as the "blue grenadier", it may also rarely be called a "blue tongue", in reference to the Australian blue-tongue lizard.
Another classic case of Australians shortening everything. Meaning 'thank you', ta is usually used for the times when you are in a rush or want to send a quick text to show your appreciation for something.
Tin-miners' wives or pasty sellers supposedly shouted "Oggy Oggy Oggy" – the response from any hungry miner or labourer would be Oi!, Oi!, Oi!. The chant is also the chorus of a folk song and has always been heard at Cornish rugby matches so this seem another possible origin.
White Australian