By Gilbert H. Lawson, published in the 1920’s in Sydney, Australia

A Dictionary of Australian Words and Terms is for everyone who wants to understand the language of Australia. It includes words, phrases, idioms and slang expressions that have come from Aboriginal languages, from early colonial days through to the present day.

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.

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

– A –
A1	the best.
Aboriginal	an original inhabitant of any land; an Australian black.
Absentee	euphemistic term for convict. Word now disappeared.
Acacia	kind of scrub. Australia possesses many species.
Adam’s ale	water.
Ain’t	abbreviation of “is not.”
‘Alf-a-mo	fraction of a second.
Alley, to toss in the	to give in.
All in	exhausted.
All my eye	expression of incredulity.
All there	expression of praise.
All to pieces	decadence. To fall away.
All to smash	to be ruined.
Anchorwing	species of falcon.
Answer is a lemon	a meaningless reply.
Ante up	a surrender.
Ant-orchis	an Australian orchid.
ANZAC	contraction of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Anzac button	makeshift for trousers’ button.
Anzac stew	foul water.
Anzac wafer	hard and flavourless biscuit.
Apple-scented gum	species of eucalyptus.
Apple trees	names applied to various indigenous trees.
Arsapeek	inverted.
Ash	name applied to Australian woods.
Asthma herb	a Queensland plant.
Aussie	contraction of Australia
Austral thrush	a bird of the thrush species; found in N.S.W.
Australia	literally, southern land.
Awake	to know all.
A.W.I.	absent without leave.
Axe-breaker	name of hardwood tree.
Axle-grease	butter.