AUSTRALIAN SLANG

            This series of definitions is not meant to be comprehensive but rather an aid to help fiction writers make their characters’ dialog sound “authentic.” Some are occupational slang. Recording studio musicians for example hate “clams” (sour notes). Others are basic terms. To a sailor "a hold" is where cargo is stowed aboard a ship. To a gambler “a hold” is the bet percentage held back by a casino.

            Australian slang combined with the typical Aussie drawl is one of the most colorful in the world. And that’s both bonzer and dinki-di, mate, and while you don’t want your Aussie characters to pickle and pork you’d be a wowser not to include a few words from Down Under.

                                                                                                        Michael McKeever

              

AUSTRALIAN SLANG:

barracking:      cheering for favorite sports team.

billabong:         pond.

bonzer:            great, terrific.

boozer:            tavern.

chook:             chicken.

clucky:             pregnant.

coolibah tree:   eucalyptus tree.

cozzie:             swimsuit.

crook:             sick.

dinki-di:           true, honest, the real thing.

dog’s eyes:      meat pies.

footy: Australian-rules football.

grazier:            rancher.

hooney:           awesome, very impressive.

jumbuck:         sheep.

mozzie:            mosquito.

pickle and pork: talk too much.

postie:              letter, to mail a letter.

snags:              sausages.

stubby:            short-necked beer bottle.

treated to the raw prawn:  treated badly, given the runaround.

wowser:           spoil sport.