Copper: a policeman or policewoman. Crack (give it a): if you're giving something a crack, that means you're having a go. Crikey: an exclamation of surprise is the best way to describe the uniquely Aussie term that is crikey.
As the word's been used since the earliest Colonial settlements of Australia, many Aussies mistakenly believe the word is archaic and no-longer used. In actuality, it's simply slightly less understood then more generic forms of greeting (such as "mate"). " G'day, cobber ." "G'day, mate. How're ye doin'?"
(Australia) A pal, buddy, mate, friend; often used in direct address by one male to another.
Contributor's comments: "But" at the end of a sentence is used in Sydney where it is the same as putting "but" at the beginning of a sentence. Thus "But I didn't do it!" is the same as saying "I didn't do it, but!"
Nenagh Kemp, a psychologist at the University of Tasmania, told Australian Geographic her theories behind why Australians use these shortened words so often. Her theory is that Australians use them as a way of coming across as more friendly and less pretentious.
Let's start with the most common, most well-known, and most quintessentially Australian slang term for girls: Sheila. While everywhere else in the English-speaking world, Sheila is a specific person's name, in Australia it can be used to refer to any woman or girl.
Bludger. (Noun) A lazy person. “I'm running around like a headless chook organising this bloody barbie, and Johnno's just sitting there like a bludger!”
Too easy means something along the lines of that is easy to do and no problem (also known as no wakkas!).
While some Australian speakers would pronounce “no” as a diphthong, starting on “oh” as in dog and ending on “oo” as in put, others begin with an unstressed “a” (the sound at the end of the word “sofa”), then move to the “oh” and then “oo”.
Yeah nah is a commonly used Australian phrase and colloquialism. The phrase yeah nah means 'no', but it allows the speaker or writer to ease into their response so as to not come across as too outspoken, or brash.
Norks: Australian slang, from the large cow udders used to advertise Norco, New South Wales' North Coast Dairy Co-Operative. Wabs: From the Brits.
hottie (plural hotties) (slang, Australia, New Zealand, now rare) Synonym of hotshot. (slang, originally Australia) A physically or sexually attractive person.
Contributor's comments: "Tilly" is an nickname members of the Defence Force (Army) use to describe the Tracked Load Carrier (TLC).
The locals will go out of their way to make you feel welcome, and you might even be invited to a backyard barbie (barbecue) to have a chinwag (chat) and a coldie (cold beer). One of the first things you'll notice is Aussies love to shorten words.
The gary, or garying, is the Australian approach to talking to women. In popular slang, the term means "to lay the groundwork."
Jumbuck is an Australian term for a male sheep, and is featured in Banjo Paterson's poem "Waltzing Matilda".
Plonk is perhaps Australia's best-known word for alcohol.
These alternative forms of words are often described as “diminutives” (or hypocoristics). Pet names with such endings can show we have a warm or simply friendly attitude toward something or someone (think of the -s on Cuddles). Certainly, on names, -ie/y and -o are often affectionate (think Susy and Robbo).
“Cheers, mate” is the same as the English word, Thank You, while “No worries” or No drama” translates to “You're welcome” in Australian slang. If you notice, the word “mate” is often used.
If you're feeling unwell, you could say you are crook. If someone is angry, you could say they've 'gone crook'.
Most commonly, stunner is used to describe a person—often not to their face. So, someone who is particularly attractive would be a stunner: “I met this total stunner the other night,” for example.