This book is a reference work with definitions of Australian words and phrases that were normally non-existent in the English language. It includes 4500 Aussie words and terms, with their meanings and variations.
Although this dictionary is over 80 years old, it gives you a glimpse into the way people spoke in that era. Some words have the same meaning today, while others may have changed or are seldom used anymore.
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If you’re reading Australian literature from this time period and earlier, such as works by Banjo Paterson, you may find this dictionary very helpful.
A B C D EF G H IJ K L M N0 P QR S T UVWXYZ
– S – | |
Salt-bush | alkaline herb growing in interior. |
Salt junk | corned beef. |
Sandy-blight | kind of ophthalmia. |
Savvy | pidgin English meaning “do you understand?” |
Scab | non-union labourer. |
Scaler | a fraud. |
Schnapper | good-eating Australian fish. |
School | gathering of gamblers. |
Scoot | to clear out; also continued bout of drunkenness. |
Scrag | to pull about. |
Scran | food. |
Scrap | a fight. |
Screw, to | extort. |
Scrub | country overgrown with thick bushes. |
Scut | a mean person. |
Set | to be satisfied. |
Set against | to dislike a person. |
Set back | a reverse. |
Settle, to | to ruin. |
Settler | one who takes up land. |
Set, to | to brawl; to make arrangements. |
Shag | a black-and-white bird which lives mostly on fish. |
Shanty | rudely built hut. |
Shark | a trickster. |
Shearer’s delight | treacle. |
Sheila | a young lady. |
Shicer | unproductive mine; a trickster. |
Shicker | to drink. |
Shindy | a row. |
Shirty | ill-tempered. |
Shoe-leather | boots. |
Shook | stolen. |
Shook on | to be friendly. |
Short of a gallop | out of condition. |
Shot | to be drunk. |
Shout | to buy a drink. |
Shovel-nose | species of shark. |
Sinker | a drunkard. |
Sir Garneo, all | excellent. |
Skirt | a girl. |
Skite | to boast. |
Sky the wipe | surrender; to cry enough. |
Slab | a piece. |
Slanter | dishonest. |
Slap-up | good. |
Slats | the ribs. |
Slick | quick. |
Slip-rail | part of a fence so fitted that it can be removed. |
Slog | to hit heavily. |
Slope | to depart. |
Sloppy | sentimental; maudlin. |
Slush-lamp | bush lamp. |
Slushy | a kitchen hand. |
Smooge | to cringe; to fawn. |
Smooger | one who fawns. |
Snack | a frugal meal. |
Snake juice | strong drink. |
Snifter | good. |
Snob | a bootmaker. |
Snout | to regard unfavourably. |
Snuff | to die. |
Sock it in | to administer severe punishment. |
So-long | farewell. |
Sool | to incite. |
Sore, to get | to become annoyed. |
Sour, to get | to become discontented. |
Soused | drunk. |
Southern cross | a constellation used as symbol of Australia. |
Sozzled | intoxicated. |
Spare me days | ejaculation of surprise. |
Sparrow hawk | in colour like the sparrow, in shape and build like the ordinary hawk, and in size very little larger than a crow. |
Spar, to | to delay. |
Spliced | married. |
Splitting | cutting timber. |
Spotted | to be seen. |
Spout | to be talkative. |
Spruiker | a speaker. |
Square | honest. |
Squatter | a grazier |
Squeak | to inform. |
Squib | a coward. |
Squirt | a revolver. |
Squiz | a hurried look |
Stand in | to make one of a party. |
Stand off | to keep out. |
Station | a sheep run and homestead. |
Stetson | a hat. |
Stick, to | to stand by; to support. |
Stiff | to be unlucky. |
Stink | a quarrel. |
Stock-horse | horse used in driving cattle. |
Stockman | one who drives stock. |
Stock-whip | a long, plaited thong on a diminutive handle. |
Stonkered | to be very drunk. |
Stop one | to take a drink. |
Stouch | a fight; to assault. |
Strength of it | to learn the details. |
Stretch | a term of imprisonment. |
Strides | trousers. |
‘Struth | an exclamation. |
Stuff | coin. |
Suds | beer. |
Suds shop | hotel. |
Sugar | money. |
Sundowner | a tramp. |
Swag | a tramp’s bundle. |
Swagman | a tramp. |
Swap | exchange. |
Swell | showy person. |
Swig | to have a drink. |
Swingin’ the head | to impose; making excuses. |
Swipe | a blow. |
Swy | two. |
Sydney or the bush | all or nothing. |