Australian Slang is a comprehensive reference guide to the most contemporary Aussie slang. This page explores the terms and phrases, which illuminate virtually every aspect of Australian people.
Oldies, wrinklies and old dears are rather descriptive of our oldest generation. At the other end we have ankle biters and rug rats.
Sometimes the slang we use is a bit too descriptive. Take “fang carpenter”. Shows a bit of our famous Aussie humour, but it’s probably not something you’d want to hear your own dentist called when you’re waiting in his office.
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| Bloke | a man |
| Sheila | a woman |
| Trouble and Strife | wife (rhyming slang) |
| Mum | mother |
| Ankle Biter | young child |
| Rug Rat | baby |
| Sprogs | offspring, children |
| Tin Lid | kid (rhyming slang) |
| Schoolie | holidaying student after completing final year exams. Not to be confused with schooie which is a schooner of beer. |
| Oldies | parents |
| Poppy | grandfather |
| Rellies | relatives |
| Mate | friend, buddy |
| Cobber | close friend, mate |
| Old Dears | senior citizens or your parents |
| Wrinklies | senior citizens |
| De Facto | man or woman living together as husband and wife, but not married |
| The Don | Sir Donald Bradman, considered the best cricket player |
| ANZAC | member of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps |
| Digger | Australian soldier |
| Salvo, Sal, Sallie | person from the Salvation Army |
| Vinnie’s | St. Vincent De Paul’s (charity thrift stores) |
| Larrikin | a rowdy, irresponsible person |
| Boofhead | friendly term for someone who is not too smart |
| Galah | foolish person also a pink and grey parrot |
| Dill | a simpleton or stupid person, also a herb |
| Dobber | person who told what you’ve been up to, usually something bad |
| Drongo | stupid person. A drongo footballer would run the wrong way. |
| Show Pony | appearance is more important than ability to this person |
| Sook | cry baby, timid and shy cowardly person |
| Stickybeak | nosy person who does not mind their own business |
| Wanker | male that’s really stupid but thinks he’s the greatest |
| Winger | person who complains constantly (whinge) |
| Dag | unfashionable person |
| Yobbo | an uncouth person |
| Ocker | uncultured person, an Aussie who likes beer, sports and women (usually in that order) |
