Back in 1912 British immigrants to Australia were called pommygrants. This may have been because their complexion reminded Aussies of the colour of red pomegranates. That was abbreviated to pommy and pom.
However, some will argue that it stands for Prisoner Of Mother England, but we won’t comment on that. It helps to have to have a sense of humour when talking to an Aussie.
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| Aussie | person from Australia, an Australian. Pronounced Ozzy not Ossie. |
| Bushie | person from in rural Australia |
| Cockroach | person from New South Wales (said with humour) |
| Crow-Eater | person from South Australia (said with humour) |
| Banana Bender | person from Queensland (said with humour) |
| Cane Toad | person from Queensland (said with humour) |
| Sandgroper | person from Western Australia (said with humour) |
| Apple Eater | person from Tasmania (said with humour) |
| Taswegian | person from Tasmania (said with humour) |
| Kiwi | person from New Zealand, a New Zealander |
| Pommy or Pom | person from England (said with humour) |
| Brit | person from England |
| Yank | person from the USA (said with humour) |
| Septic Tank | person from the USA (said with humour), rhyming word with Yank |
| Seppo | person from the USA (said with humour), play on Septic Tank. Also another word for the person who empties the dunny or septic tank. |
| Ambo | ambulance officer |
| Firee | fire fighter, fireman. Also spelled fire-ie. |
| Bushfire Brigade | volunteer fire fighting organization |
| Nipper | young surf lifesaver |
| Journo | journalist |
| Newsreader | person who reads the news on TV or radio. News anchor (USA and Canada) |
| Compere | emcee of a program or event |
| Muso | musician |
| Busker | person who performs (busks) for donations usually on sidewalks. Mostly musicians and singers. |
| Gabster | radio talk show host |
| Showie | person working in a travelling carnival. Carnie in the USA. |
| Spruiker | person whose job it is to speak loudly to passers-by to advertise and solicit customers for a business |
| Solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
| Pollie | politician |
| Greenie | environmentalist |
| Greens | member of the political Green Party |
| Battler | someone without much luck in life and always has to struggle |
| Reffo | refugee |
| Biker | person who rides a motorcycle |
| Bikie | member of a motorcycle gang |
| Swagman | a drifter (person without a permanent place to live) who carried his swag as he travelled the country on foot looking for work. He was a common sight during the depression of the 1890’s and 1930’s. |
| Tall Poppy | successful person often a target of jealous remarks |
| Bluey | nickname for a person with red hair |
| Curly | nickname for a person with a bald head |
| Duck’s Disease | what a short person has |
| Lofty | nickname for a short person |
