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The Best Australian Slang Phrases The Rest of the World Should Know

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One thing Ive come across in the last year or two when talking to people from overseas, is that they all want to know our slang words.

Yes, there are the traditional swear words that everyone of every culture always want to know, but people are particularly interested in the way Australian people speak.

What you need to know about Australians is that we all speak differently, depending on what area you visit. For example someone from outback Queensland will probably use a lot more slang than say someone in Sydney. So dont be disappointed if you get to an international airport, and we arent all going Shell be right mate Not all of us use these words! But you can sure-as-shit guarantee that most Aussie will understand the whole lot of them!!!

Because we really do shorten, or lengthen near-on every word we usually say. Rarely does anyone get called by their name for a start.

So Ive put my thinking cap on to bring you all the traditional Australian Slang words I know personally, and a few other hilarious versions that arent used all the time, but deserve a place in this list.

Accadacca

The legendary band ACDC.

Lets go see Accadacca and have a Maccas Run afterwards!. Bon Scott, an Aussie icon, chocked on his own vomit but you can visit him at Fremantle Cemetery. Its a very Australian way to die.

Rock-band-ACDC

via dailymail.co.uk

Acting the Goat

To behave in a silly manner.

Jesus mate, stop acting the goat and finish your meat pie and sauce!

Agro

Really mad. Or a badly mad puppet on tv popular in the 1980s on Australian television.

The Missus is agro cause I was home late from the pub.

Ambo

An ambulance worker or paramedic.

Darren needed the Ambo after he stacked it on his bike.

Ankle Biters

A term of endearment for children.

These ankle-biters are shitting me to tears!.

via welcomehomefamilytherapy.com

Any Tick of the Clock

Means Any minute now.

Shell be here any tick of the clock now.

Going Ape Shit

When someone throws a huge wobbly.

Did you see Sheila and Sharon going ape-shit that Darren was late with the beer?

don-t-keep-calm-go-apeshit-1

Arse About Face

To be back to front.

Arse Over Tit

Means youve fallen over, usually because you are drunk.

Arse Wipe

Someone you dont like very much.

That fuckwit is an arse wipe.

Arvo or This arvo

The afternoon.

Cant wait until this arvo and I can watch the Dockers training at the Freo Oval

Banana Bender

Somebody who is from Queensland.

Bloody banana bender cant drive for shit.

Banger

A sausage. Although we usually just call it a sausage..or snag.

Lets have some bangers and mash for tea.

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via theguardian.com

Bang Like a Dunny Door

To really want to have sex with someone.

I would bang that bloke like a dunny door

To Barrack For

To go for a particular team.

I barrack for the Freo Dockers.

Bathers

See Togs, Cozzies or Swimmers

Barby or Barbie or BBQ

A barbeque.

Lets go to Sharons house for a barbie.

Have a Barney

A fight or tiff.

Karen and Stacey were having a barney near the beach.

Bastard

Can be both a term of endearment and an insult depending on the tone used.

I freaking love that bastard. or

Im going to kill that bastard!. Also can be a very rough metal file.

Beer Gut/Belly

A large stomach on a male from drinking too much beer.

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via thebeijinger.com

Beer OClock

Time for a beer. Meant to be 5pm. But seriously is any time after midday.

Beg Yours?

Pardon me? What did you say?

Belly Up

Gone out of business.

Bender

To be drunk for several days.

Bible-Basher

A religious person that tries to convert you.

Big Smoke

The city.

Bikkie or Biccie

A sweet biscuit Known as a cookie in the US.

Bingle or Dingle

A minor car accident.

Bitzer (or Mongrel)

A dog that doesnt really have a breed, more like a combination of a lot of breeds.

Blind

To be really really drunk. Gawd Janet is blind tonight she needs to slow down!.

Blind Freddy

Someone that states the obvious. For example: Blind Freddy could see that shed go arse up on that bar stool.

Bloke

A man.

Bog

A shit.

Bog Roll

Toilet paper.

Toilet-Tissue-Rolls-from-Dubai-Manufacturer

via sg.theasianparent.com

Bog-Standard

A poverty-pack vehicle. Stock. The basic model.

Bloody

A word that emphasizes something. That bloody idiot. or Bloody hell, will you look at that!

Bloody Oath

Yes for sure!

Blow-In

An uninvited guest.

Bobs Your Uncle

An expression meaning Consider it done.

Bored Shitless

To be very very bored.

Bright Spark

Someone that is very clever.

Bubbler

A public drinking fountain.

Bludger

Someone that collects payments from the government and is lazy.

Blue

Another word for a tiff or fight.

Bluey

A person with red hair. See: Ranga

Bogan

A person that wears ugg boots and flannel, loves loud cars and rock music. Every Aussie has a bit of bogan in them we are born with it.

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Bogged

When a vehicle is stuck in sand or mud and cant get traction.

Bonnet

The front of a car sits on top of the engine.

Boot

The back of a car where you load your shopping into.

Booze

Alcohol

Booze Bus

The large white bus used by police to catch drunk drivers.

Bottle-o

A shop where you can purchase alcohol.

Boys in Blue

The police.

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via abc.net.au

Brekkie

Breakfast

Brickie

Slang for a brick-layer.

Bris-vegas or Brizzy

Brisbane the capital of Queensland.

Brolly

An umbrella

Buckleys Chance (or Buckleys)

No chance at all.

Budgie Smugglers or Dick Togs

Inappropriately small swimwear for men that shows the outline of their penis.

Image result for dick togs

Bugger

Means Oh crap.

Buggered

Really really tired.

Bunging it on

Someone faking it. For example: Hes not really sick, hes bunging it on.

Built like a brick shithouse

A way to describe someone that is really big or muscular.

Bull Bar

A cage-like metal fixture to the front of a vehicle to protect it from hitting kangaroos.

Bum

Your bottom.

Bum-Fluff

The first whiskers of an adolescent boy.

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via tapatalk.com

Bundy

Shortened term for Bundaberg, a city located in Queensland that houses the best rum distillery in the world.

Bun-In-The-Oven

Means to be pregnant.

Bushmans Hanky

The disgusting habit of blocking ones nostril, and using force to expel snot out of the other at a fast pace.

Bush-Bash

To drive a vehicle where there are no roads.

Bush Oyster

A booger.

Bush Telegraph

Gossip that gets around fast by word of mouth.

BYO

Bring Your Own always refers to alcohol. For example This restaurant is BYO, so fuck it, lets go somewhere else!.

Cab Sav

A cabernet sauvignon which is a type of wine. Usually fancy.

Cackleberry

A chooks egg.

Cactus

See: Cark it. Dead.

Cadbury Kid

Someone that has a glass and a half and is pissed.

Call it a day

Means to finish work for the day and go home.

Cark it

To die.

Carpet Muncher

A derogatory term for a lesbian.

Carrot Bag

To vomit. There are always carrots in the carrot bag, even if you have never eaten a carrot.

Carry on like a Pork Chop

To be acting out, being silly or having a tantrum.

Cat Fight

Two women fighting.

Capsicum

A large apple-shaped vegetable known as a pepper in the US. Comes in Green, Red and Yellow.

Whole-Capsicums

via warwickfarmtracksidemarket.com.au

Centrelink

The Australian Government Department that gives out welfare payments to the unemployed.

Charge Like a Wounded Bull

To over-charge someone for a product or service.

Chateau-De-Cardboard (or Cardboard-eaux)

Wine from a box. Cask wine.

Chardy or Cardy

White wine.

Cheeky

Being very mischievous.

Chemist

Is a pharmacy. But all Aussies use the word chemist and not pharmacy.

Chewie

A piece of chewing gum.

Chippy

Slang word for a carpenter.

Chockas

Means: full.

Choc-a-Block

Means totally full. The shopping centre carpark was choc-a-block

Chook

A chicken, usually pre-roasted that is served with hot chips and coleslaw.

Chrome Dome

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via drrendon.com

An affectionate term for a man who is bald.

Chucking a Uey

Doing a u-turn in traffic.

Clodhoppers

Means your feet..

Coon

Is a brand of cheese popular in Australia and is by no means a racist term. Many people call cheese Coon as a general term.

Coon cheese

via flickr.com

Counter Lunch (or Countery)

A lunch that is purchased at a pub.

Cop

A single member of the police.

Crapper

The toilet.

Crikey

Crikey people! No most Australians do not use the word crikey on a daily basis This word was reserved for the most Aussie Australian the late, great Steve Irwin.

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via news.com.au

Cruddy

Of poor quality.

Choccy Bikkie

A chocolate biscuit.

Chrissy

An abbreviated term for Christmas.

Chucking a Sickie

See Sickie

Chunder

Having a vomit.

Cockroach

A term of endearment for a person from New South Wales.

Cozzies

See Togs

Crack the Whip

Means to hurry up.

Crook

Means you are sick or drunk too much alcohol. Oh man, I got smashed last night and now I feel crook!.

Cuppa

A cup of tea or coffee.

Dag

A funny awkward person.

Dead Horse

Slang word for Tomato Sauce.

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via standardmedia.co.ke

Dead Set

Means Wow, truly?

Dear

Means expensive. For example, That necklace I bought Tracey was really dear!.

Defo

Means definitely.

Dero

An idiot. (Note: now added that it means a derrelict or homeless person).

Devod

Devastated.

Dill

An idiot.

Dinghy

See Tinny

Digger

Someone that is serving in the Defence forces.

Dipstick or Dipshit

An idiot.

Dobber

Someone that tells on someone else.

Docket

Is a receipt.

Dodgy

Means devious. See also: Shonky

Dole Bludger

Someone that is on government benefits that doesnt bother looking for work.

Do the Dirty

To either cheat on a partner or to swindle somebody.

Donkeys Years

For a really long time. Its been donkeys years since I saw you last.

Doona

A thick soft blanket that contains feathers or down.

Double-Plugger

A fancy type of thong (see thong).

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via rockos.com.au

Drop Your Bundle

To cease doing your job properly and break down and cry.

Drop Your Guts

To fart.

Duchess

A piece of furniture in the bedroom usually used by women when applying makeup. Usually has a mirror and drawers.

Dunny

A slang word for toilet or loo. Most Australians use the word toilet.

Durry

A cigarette.

Ear-basher

Someone that talks and talks and talks and never shuts up.

Esky

A rectangle shaped insulated box that gets filled with ice to keep beer and soft drinks cold.

Exxy

See Dear

Garbo

Slang for a garbage collector.

G-Banger

Is a slang word for a g-string (the undies that go up your bum).

GDay

Means Good Day or Hello. Most of us use the traditional Hello more than Gday Sorry to disappoint.

Get Stuffed

Go away please. Right now.

Glad Rags

Your best clothing.

Goon

Cheap wine.usually from a cask.

Grey Nomad

An old person that travels around Australia. Usually in a caravan that they have no idea how to drive. They end up crashing it two kilometers from home.

Grouse

Means Thats fantastic!

Facey

What we call Facebook.

Fair Dinkum

Australians rarely use this term again more of a Steve Irwinism. But it means Yes but with wonderment.

Fair Enough

Okay then.

Fair Suck of the Sav

Means to give someone or something a go.

Fella

Means a man. Look at that funny looking fella over there!

Feral

Like a red-neck or hillbilly. A poorly dressed, poorly educated person usually at the lower end of the socio-economic scale.

Festy

To be really gross.

Flaggan

Also known as a Goon Bag (caskwine).

Flanno

A comfortable flannelette shirt.

Flash

Means very fancy. Your house is flash!

Flutter

To put on a small bet.

Flat Out

Flat out is working so hard you dont have time to think. Im flat out like a lizard drinking

Fosters

We dont freaking drink Fosters here in Australia! We drink XXXX (pronounced Four-X), Tooheys or VB. We are also partial to goon. Drunk straight from the bladder which you can use as a pillow afterwards. Cause we are practical here in Australia!

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via instacart.com

Fourby

A slang for a 4wd vehicle. For example: Im taking my fourby down on the beach.

Franger

Slang word for a condom.

Freo

Shortened version of Fremantle, a port city in Western Australia near Perth. With the best AFL team in Australia, even though they are yet to win a final.

Fringe

The hair that hangs down on your forehead. Called bangs in the UK/US.

Fruit Loop

A total idiot or a bit crazy. Old Steve next door is a fruit loop, he blew up his engine when going to the pub last week.

Fuck It

Means Damn it all to hell

Fuck Me Drunk or Fuck Me Dead

Well that is surprising!

Furphy

A lie or a stuff up.

Gabba

A sportsground located in Brisbane used to play major cricket games.

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via smh.com.au

Gas

Gas in Australia is what we put in our barbecues to make them work. It is never used as a word for fuel.

Get Rooted

See Get Stuffed

Get Stuffed

Means to Piss Off or Go away.

Going-Off

Chucking a spack (see spack)

Good onya!

Means Well done. Can also be a sarcastic form. For example. Good onya, you idiot.

Greenie

A tree hugging hippy.

Green Around the Gills

To be sick or hungover.

Grog

Means alcohol.

Grog Shop

A shop that sells alcohol. See also Bottle-o.

Grotty

To be dirty.

Hard Yakka

Means you worked really hard. Is also a well known Aussie brand for work wear and hi-vis gear.

Have a crack!

Try this!

Hit the Hay

To go to bed.

Hit the turps

Get drunk.

Hooroo

Goodbye!

Woman-Waving-Goodbye

via tinybuddha.com

Hostie

An airline steward.

Hot Under the Collar

To get angry about something.

Hubby

An affectionate term for a husband.

Hugs and Kisses

A persons spouse, usually the wife. Where is the hugs and kisses tonight?

Iffy

A bit dodgy.

Jaffle

A toasted sandwich.

via closeencountersofthecookingkind.wordpress.com

Jocks

Mens underwear.

Jug

An electric kettle.

Jugs

Slang word for boobs.

Jumper

A long sleeved usually woollen pull-overworn in Winter to keep warm.

Kick the Bucket

To die. For example: I wont inherit any money until me old girl kicks the bucket.

Knee High to a Grasshopper

A small child

Knickers

See Undies

Knock-Off

This has two meanings. One is to finished work for the day. For example: I knock-off at 5pm this arv. The other is to steal something.

Lacky Band

An elastic band women use to tie up their hair.

Legless

Someone who is very very drunk.

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via health.howstuffworks.com

Loaded

Loaded has two meanings. One means you have a lot of money. The other is that you are very drunk.

Lolly Water

Lolly water is also known as soft drink or a cheap type of alcoholic beverage sometimes also known as Goon.

Loo

A toilet.

Maccas Run

Now nearly every fellow bogan person I know (see Bogan) has used this phrase. and the more drunk we get, the more we use it. It means A trip to a McDonalds restaurant.

maccas-sign

via collegetimes.com

Mad as a Cut Snake

Someone that does something daring without thinking.

Main Drag

The main street of a city or town.

Manky

Really really gross.

Map of Tassie

A thatch of pubic hair on a female.

Mate

A friend

Mates Rates

A discount for family and friends. Give me mates rates on that new sink will ya Gerald!

Mickey Mouse

Something that is really good. Your new car is Mickey Mouse mate!

Mongrel

A way to describe someone that has done something wrong. That mongrel stole my beer!

Mozzies

Slang term for mosquitoes.

Muso

Someone that plays music or an instrument.

Kid-Learning-to-Play-Acoustic-Guitar

via charlotteobserver.com

Mystery Bag

Slang word for a sausage.

Nappy

What you call a diaper in the US.

Nits

Nits are also known as lice or headlice.

Nitwit

An idiot.

No Worries

Means that everything is okay! Or Yes, Ill take care of it. Bob, can you pass me that drink? No worries mate!

Oi

Means Hey you! used to get someones attention. Also an Aussie tradition at any sporting event. You will hear them scream Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi

Oldies

Your parents.

Old Bag

Means an older woman that isnt very nice.

USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Portrait of woman relaxing on sofa

via audiologywithaheart.com

Old Duck

Means an older woman that isnt your mother. For example: Look at that old duck crossing the road.

Old Man

Your father

Old Girl

Your mother.

On the Dole

Means that the person is receiving benefits from the government because they are unemployed.

Off Your Face

Being drunk.

Over the shoulder, boulder holder

Is a slang term for a bra. Used in jest.

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via whisper.sh

Paralytic

To be so drunk you cant walk.

Pash

To French kiss someone.

Pash-rash

The red marks on a females chin after she has pashed someone with stubble.

Pear-Shaped

When things go wrong.

Petrol

Fuel for cars (might be known as Gas in the United States)

Piece of Piss

Easy.

Pigs Arse

I dont agree with you.

Piker

Someone who doesnt show up when they should have.

Pinky

An Aussie traditional nickname for someone with red hair. See: Ranga!

Piss or On the piss

Usually a slang word for alcohol. Geoff is on the piss tonight.

Pissed

Means to be drunk.

Piss Off

Means Please go away right now.

Piss Take

When someone is making fun of you.

Piss Up

Getting together to drink with your friends.

Piss Weak

Weak as piss.

Plonk

Means alcohol.

alcohol-06

via concealedwines.com

Pineapple

A $50 note.

Pokies

Poker machines.

Pommy

A person from England.

Poo Man

Is slang for a plumber.

Postie

The person that delivers your mail.

Pot

Has two meanings. The first is a 285ml size glass to serve beer. The other is a slang word for marijuana.

Povvo

Someone that is cheap.

Power-Point

The thing you plug your cords into to get electricity out.

Prang

A minor car accident.

Pratt

See Wanker

Pub

A bar, usually with pokies and a bistro where you can drink alcohol and have a meal.

Put a Sock in It

Please be quiet now.

Please-be-silent-nice-baby-expression

via alamy.com

Quid

Slang term for money.

Rack

Has a few meanings in Aussie language. First one is a cut of meat. For example, a rack of lamb. The second one is a pair of tits. Look at the rack on that sheila!.

Ralph

To vomit. Janet had a Ralph in the garbage bin out back.

Ranga

A red haired person. Also can be known as Blue or Pinky.

Reckon

Used in a sentence I reckon it is going to rain tonight. Means I think..

Rego

The annual subscription to the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep your vehicle on a public road.

Reno

Shortened word for renovation.

Ridgy-Didge

The real deal.

Rocket

A peppery type of salad leaf.

Rock Up

Turn up somewhere. Rock up about 8pm for the party.

Rollie

A type of cigarette that you roll yourself.

Root

Means to have sex with someone. Barry went out looking for a root last night.

Rooted

Means its fucked. My car was rooted when I bogged it at the beach.

Ropeable

Means very pissed off. Dans Mrs was ropeable when he came home pissed last week.

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via mynd.works

Rort or Rort the System.

A scam or a con.

Sandgroper

A term of endearment for a person from Western Australia. Most of the Dockers are Sandgropers.

Sausage Sizzle

An Australian tradition of eating a sausage on a piece of white bread with onions and sauce. Usually at the front of Bunnings.

Scone

A small unsweetened cake served with jam and cream. May be known as a biscuit in the US. The pumpkin scone is a particularly good version.

Scorcher

A really hot day.

Scratchie

A type of lottery ticket that has to be scratched to find out if you have won on the spot.

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via measureofdoubt.com

Screwed

Means its fucked.

Sculled

To drink something very fast.

Shandy

A beer with a dash of lemonade.

Shrapnel

The loose change in your pocket.

CoinImage

via lifehacker.com.au

Skerrick

Hardly any.

Slab

A carton of beer

Servo

Aussie slang for a service station or gas station.

Shell Be Right Mate

Means Everything will be okay

Shemozzle

A clusterfuck of all proportions.

Sheila

An adult female.

Shonky

A bit dodgy or devious.

Shotgun

The front passenger seat in a vehicle. I want to ride shotgun. The first person to say this sentence before hoping in the car is the one that gets to sit in the passenger seat.

Shoot Through

To skip town. Usually owing money or getting someone pregnant.

Shower in a Can

Putting on deodorant.

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via newbeauty.com

Skinny as a Rake

Someone that is very thin.

Smoko

Morning or afternoon tea.

Sickie or Chucking a Sickie

Means to have a day off and pretend you are sick.

Smokes

Cigarettes

Spack-Attack or just Spack

See also Chucking a spack. Having a Spack means that an adult is throwing a tantrum. Bob had a spack-attack when he couldnt get into the pub on Friday night.

Sparky

Shortened form of electrician.

Sparrows Fart

Really really early in the morning.

Spit the Dummy (alsoSnap the Carrot)

Have a tantrum.

Stacked It

To fall off a bike or fall over your feet.

Sticks Out Like Dogs Balls

Usually, this is in relation to a city person going into the country. But generally, means something is there that usually shouldnt be!

1100_tantrum_stoppers

via parenting.com

Sticky Beak

Someone that sticks their nose in other peoples business.

Stoked

Very very happy. I was stoked I won a meat tray!

Stretch

A common nickname for a tall person.

Struth

Aussies rarely use this term, but it means Oh geez, really?

Stroppy

Means you are cranky. Mum was stroppy when I came home late from the AFL final.

Stubbie

A stubbie is a small bottleof beer.

Stubbie Holder

A traditional gift for Australian fathers from their offspring. A stubbie holder is an insulated casing used to keep a beer colder for longer.

Stuffed

Really really tired from hard work.

via thinkbusiness.nus.edu

via cardinus.com

Sunnies

Slang for sunglasses.

Take a Slash

To go for a wee.

Tap

The metal thing water comes out of. Or beer if you are at the pub.

Thanks Heaps

Means thank you very very much.

The Missus

Someones wife.

Thongs

Thongs are those flat sandals you wear on the beach. Not a pair of undies that go up your bum. May be known in the US as flip-flops and in NZ as jandles.

via Alex NLD

via ebay.co.uk

To Have Tickets on Yourself

You think you are shit hot. You are not.

Tightarse or Tightwad

Someone that is cheap and careful with their money.

Tinny or Dinghy

A small aluminium boat to go fishing in.

Truckie

Slang term for a truck driver.

Togs

Also known as cozziesor swimmers. What you wear to the beach or the pool.

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via aussiespeedoguy.org

Tosser

See Wanker

Trackie Dacks

Aussism for tracksuit pants

Tradie

A tradesperson like a carpenter or plumber.

Trolley

Is a type of cart you push around the supermarket and put your groceries in.

Turps

Alcohol. Janet is on the turps again.

Twat

See Wanker

Two-Pot Screamer

Means two drinks and youre drunk.

Undies

Also known as knickers. They are underpants.

ILoveGorgeous

via babyccinokids.com

Uni

Is slang for University.

Up the Duff

Means pregnancy. Usually an unplanned pregnancy. Cheryl is up-the-duff, wonder who the father is?

Up Shit Creek

In a lot of trouble.

Up Yours!

Get fucked.

Ute

Short for Utility. A type of vehicle with a tray back.

Vege Out

To sit around and watch tv and relax.

family-on-couch-watching-television

via thedrum.com

Verandah

A type of porch that is connected to a house.

Wanker

Very commonly used in Australia. A total idiot or obnoxious person. That fellas a bloody wanker!

Wedding Tackle

A penis.

Weekend Warrior

A person that is subscribed to the Army Reserves.

Whinger

Someone that complains a lot.

Winnie Blues

Not used commonly in normal Australian speak. But is means cigarettes. Winfield Blue is a brand.

Wog

A sickness. Usually a flu.

Wonky

Something this is unstable. For example: This three legged table is really wonky!

Woolies

Slang for a large supermarket chain called Woolworths.

woolworths2

via diginomica.com

Woop Woop

A fictional place that is out in the middle of nowhere. Or somewhere that is a really long way away.

Wuss

A coward.

Yank

A term of endearment for an American person.

Yobbo

A dope-smoking dole bludger.

Yonks

A really long period of time.

Your Blood is worth Bottling

Means you mean a lot to that person. Or having very admirable qualities.

I had a blast putting this together. Do you have anything to add?

I know Aussie slang sounds weird, but it sure is fun!

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