<<

Many distinctive Australian words have been driven to or near to extinction in recent decades under the homogenising influence of mass media and imported culture, because of changes in fashion, or have fallen into disuse as society changes. Those who like or use these words regret their passing but informal vocabulary is by nature ephemeral. Others who use these words do so ironically. Some examples:

. around the traps – around one's usual haunts. Formerly quite common, but now declining. It was famously used by ARL boss Ken Arthurson when news of a Super league was emerging in during the 90's, "Word around the traps". . Bodgie – a male member of a 1950s rock 'n' roll subculture, somewhat similar to the US greasers and British rockers. Now only historical. . bonzer – excellent (almost extinct). Probably from the Spanish word bonanza, by way of American English. Also spelt bonza. . cobber – friend, mate, "G'day, cobber". Not frequently used. . cooee! – a shouted greeting or long-distance contact call, used as when searching for a lost person, esp. in the bush. Also in the colloquial phrase "not within cooee", meaning "a long way off". Used in conversation to recapture the attention of someone you were talking to. "Cooeee Brian, are you listening?" Once ubiquitous, now becoming less common. . traps, trappers or jacks – police. These Australianisms have been largely replaced by the international cops, coppers, pigs or bacon. However the older, more affectionate wallopers is also still used. . drongo – an idiot (usage in decline). Either referring to the drongo bird which have extravagantly flared tails and cavort noisily in groups as part of their mating habits, but also, possibly an indirect derivation, from the name of a remarkably unsuccessful racehorse. . furphy – a lie or rumour. Furphy was the supplier of water carts to the Australian Army in World War I. Much like modern day water coolers, the carts became meeting points and rumour mills. . galah – a fool (survives, but in decline), from the bird. Almost always used in combination with 'bloody'. "You bloody galah!" (You bloody idiot!) This word has been used in commercials against drunk driving; "Don't be a galah!".Alf Stewart . map of Tassie – Female pubic hair. Tassie being short for Tasmania and used for the general similarity in shape of the map to this part of the anatomy. First appears in the . Not in common usage, but stable. . Mollydooker – a left handed person. . Nasho – adjective and noun, pertaining to National Service or conscription for military service esp. in . . Sharpie – member of a 1960s and teenage subculture. Probably from "sharply dressed" and/or a reference to the use of knives. . struth! (sometimes spelt strewth) – expression of shock or dismay (replaced by stronger expletives such as "fuck!" or "shit!"). Possibly of Shakespearean origin, "God's Truth". Also used in Britain. Other older expletives of English origin such as "cripes", "my oath" and "blimey" are also dying out. . warrigal – a dingo, or any wild thing. . Widgie – female Bodgie (see above). . wowser – a killjoy or puritan. Still used but in decline.

Appendix:Australian English placeholders Australians use a number of placeholders for objects the names of which are unknown or forgotten.

. doover – perhaps from "It'll do for now." . doover-malaky . doover-lacky . doover-whatsit . hoosey-whatsit . thingo . thingie . thingamajig . thingameebob . thingummy . whatsit . whatsername/whatsisname . wadjamacallit . whatserface/whatsisface

Appendix:Australian English colloquial proper nouns The shortening the names of places, people, companies, etc. is a common feature of Australian English vocabulary. This is often done through the use of diminutives. The given names Darren and Sharon, for example are shortened to Dazza and Shazza respectively. The Western Australian Association and the cricket ground becomes WACA (pronounced IPA: /wæk.ə/), McDonald's restaurant becomes Macca's (pronounced IPA: /'mæk.əz/) and Woolies (as in "I'm just going to pick up some milk from Woolies") is the affectionate term given to the chain of Woolworths supermarkets.

Contents

 1 General  2 Nationalities  3 Alcohol/Tobacco  4 Shortened band names  5 State names for people  6 Place names  7 Sporting Teams o 7.1 General o 7.2 AFL o 7.3 VFL o 7.4 Cricket o 7.5 NRL o 7.6 NBL o 7.7 Soccer  8 See also

General

. ambos - paramedics (from "ambulance") . arvo/arvie - afternoon . bottle-o - bottle-shop, liquor store . Ekka - the Exhibition, an annual show . rego - (vehicle) registration (fee) . servo - service station . Vee Dub - Volkswagen . Vinnie's - St. Vincent De Paul's (charity thrift stores and hostels) . Winnies - Winfield Cigarettes . Woolies - Woolworth's Supermarkets

Nationalities

. Aussie - Australian . Kiwi - New Zealander . Saffa - South African . Yank - American . Pom or Pome - English

Alcohol/Tobacco

. Dunnie - Dunhill Cigarettes . TED - Tooheys Extra Dry, beer . Vomit Beer - Bitter, beer; a play on the acronym "VB" due to it's strong taste. . Paley and 'Sparkles for Coopers Pale Ale and Cooper Sparkling beer; typically restricted to South . Winnie - Winfield Cigarettes

Shortened band names Australian youths and general Australian music fans have a long tradition of shortening popular band names.

. Acca Dacca - AC/DC . The Finger - . The Oils (or just Oils) - . Chisel - . The Chair - . The Crowdies - . Barnesey - . Farnesy - John Farnham . The Gurge - . Foxy - Robin Fox . The Puppies - Sick Puppies . Grinners or The Spoon - . The Mentals - Mental As Anything . Hunters or Hunnas - Hunters & Collectors . The Gurus - . The Singing Budgie - . SFK - . The Homos - The Homicides . True Rad - True Radical Miracle . The Bait - . Jebs - . Eskies - . JBT - Trio . The Gunners - Guns N' Roses . The Weddos - Weddings Parties Anything

State names for people The colloquial name associated to people born and raised in that state.

. Northen Territory - Territorians . NSW - Cockroaches . - Banana Benders . South Australia - Crow Eaters . Tasmania - Taswegians . Victoria - Vics, Mexicans . Western Australia - Sand Gropers

Place names As with other proper nouns, place names are commonly shortened through the use of diminutives. Australia is, itself, often shortened to Oz, or alternately, Stralya (see also Aussie). In some cases, colloquialisms have developed in reference to certain characteristics of the area. Australia is often referred to as Down Under because of its geographical location on a globe; this term (which can also include New Zealand) was popularized by the song Down Under, by Australian band Men at Work.

. Australia's Little Brother - New Zealand . Balga North - Clarkson, Western Australia (derogatory) - refers to both Balga's down- market reputation and Clarkson's outer northern location. . Barker - Mount Barker, Western Australia . Basso w:Bassendean, Western Australia . Baulko – Baulkham Hills, , also refers to Baulkham Hills High School . Bello - Bellingen, New South Wales . Belly South - Belgrave South, Victoria . Benders or The 'Go - Bendigo, Victoria . The Berra - Canberra . Bevo - Beverly Hills, New South Wales . Belco - Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory, usually in reference to Westfield Belconnen . Bilo - Biloela, Queensland . Blacky - Blackburn, Victoria, in particular Blackburn High School; and can also be "Blacky Maccas" referring to the McDonalds restaurant on Blackburn Road . Bok Choy - Box Hill, Victoria. . Boot Hill - Box Hill, Victoria. Generally used by the Victorian Ambulance Service to refer to Box Hill Hospital. . Broady - Broadmeadows, Victoria . Bundo - Bundeena, New South Wales . Bundy – Bundaberg, Queensland, also refers to Bundaberg Rum . Bunno - Bunbury, Western Australia . Burra - Korumburra, Victoria . Burwog - Burwood, New South Wales . Busso - Busselton, Western Australia . Brissie, Brissy or Brizzie – Brisbane, Queensland . Brisvegas – Brisbane, Queensland, in reference to Las Vegas, Nevada . Brisneyland - Brisbane, Queensland, in reference to Disneyland . Brisangeles - Brisbane, Queensland, in reference to Los Angeles referring to the large scale linear development . Broady - Broadmeadows, Victoria . Brookie - Brookvale, New South Wales . Brunny - Brunswick, Victoria . Byron – Byron Bay, New South Wales . Cabra or Cab or Stabramatta or Vietnamatta – Cabramatta, New South Wales, in reference to the high Vietnamese-immigrant population . Campo – Camperdown, New South Wales . Carlo – Carlingford, New South Wales . Chaddy - Chadstone, Victoria, usually in reference to Chadstone Shopping Centre . Chatty, Chatswong - Chatswood, New South Wales . Chaps - Chapel Street, . Charlie - Charlestown, New South Wales, specifically Charlestown Square Shopping Complex . Charny - Charnwood, Australian Capital Territory . Cheso or Chezzo - Chester Hill, New South Wales . Chezza or The Brook or Chinabrook or Chellyblook - Cherrybrook, New South Wales . Chiggers - Chigwell, Tasmania . Chingvale Road - Springvale Road . Clownsville - , Queensland . Coffs – Coffs Harbour, New South Wales . Coolies - Coolbellup or Cooloongup, two suburbs of Perth, Western Australia . Cranny - Cranbourne, Victoria . Crowie – Crows Nest, New South Wales, also refers to Crows Nest TAFE and the Crows Nest Hotel . Croyds - Croydon, Victoria . Curly - Curl Curl, New South Wales . Cuntamulla - Cunnamulla, Queensland . Dandy – Dandenong, Victoria . Darlo – Darlinghurst, New South Wales . Denny - Deniliquin, New South Wales . Diamo - Diamond Creek, Victoria . Dim - Dimboola, Victoria . Donny - Doncaster, Victoria or Donvale, Victoria . Double Pay - Double Bay, New South Wales, Due to it being a wealthier area. . Doodli - Doodlakine, Western Australia . Doony - Doonside, New South Wales . Drewy - Mount Druitt, New South Wales . Drysie - Drysdale, Victoria . Dubs or Dubsville or Dubsvegas - Dubbo, New South Wales . Dumphampton - Rockhampton, Queensland . DY - Dee Why, New South Wales . Dykeheart - Leichhardt, New South Wales - due to its high lesbian population . E-Town - Eltham, Victoria . Elstiwood - The neighboring suburbs of Elsternwick, Victoria and Elwood, Victoria . Erko - Erskineville, New South Wales . Ermo - Ermington, New South Wales . (The)Flats - semi-derogatory term used by those who live in the Perth Hills suburbs to refer to suburbs situated on the Coastal Plain . Franga, Funky Town, Frankghanistan - Frankston, Victoria . Fredo - Frederickton, New South Wales . Freo - , Western Australia . G Town – Geelong, Victoria . Garbo - Garden City Shopping Centre, Queensland . (The) Gatha - Leongatha, Victoria . Gayswater w:Bayswater, Western Australia . Gem town - Gembrook, Victoria . Gerro - Geraldton, Western Australia . Girra – Girraween, New South Wales, also refers to Girraween High School and Girraween National Park . Gladdy or Gladdie - Gladstone, Queensland . Glenny - Glen Waverley, Victoria. . God's Country - Sutherland Shire, New South Wales . Goldy or GC - Gold Coast, Queensland . The Gong - , New South Wales . Greensy - Greensborough, Victoria . (The) Grove - Ocean Grove, Victoria . Gundy - Goondiwindi, Queensland . Hammie Hill - Hamilton Hill, Western Australia . Happyrock - Gladstone, Queensland, a play on the name. . Henry's High - Henry Lawson High School, Grenfell - the birthplace of Henry Lawson . Hole of Australia, The - Australian Capital Territory, also Canberra . HP - Hampton Park, Victoria . Inceston - Launceston, Tasmania . Indro – Indooroopilly, Queensland . Ipshit - Ipswich, Queensland . K-Town or Knx - Kununurra, Western Australia, the latter from the town airport's IATA code . Kal - Kalgoorlie, Western Australia . Kella - Kellerberrin, Western Australia . Kelmy - Kelmscott, Western Australia . Knifepoint – Highpoint shopping centre, Melbourne . Lisless - Lismore, New South Wales . Livo - Liverpool, New South Wales . Langy Langwarrin or Lang Lang, Victoria . Lonnie - Launceston, Tasmania, also used for Point Lonsdale, Victoria . Mainland, or the mainland - continental w:Australia from the perspective of Tasmanians . Maggie - Magnetic Island, Queensland . Manjie - Manjimup, Western Australia . Margs - Margaret River, Western Australia . Maroochy - Maroochydore, Queensland . Matto - Matraville, New South Wales . Mc Mansion Land - Castle Hill, ; used by people from other (poorer) suburbs . Meeka - Meekatharra . Melbs or Melbo - Melbourne, Victoria (only by non-residents, usually from surrounding towns) . Mido - Midland, Western Australia . Moe by the Sea - Dromana, Victoria . Mo-town - Moe, Victoria . Morribong - the area of Morrisett, New South Wales and Cooranbong, New South Wales . Mona - Mona Vale, New South Wales . Monty - Montmorency, Victoria . Moozza B - Mooroolbark, Victoria . Morty - Mortdale, New South Wales . Mozzie Park Mosman Park Western Australia {Now a fashionable suburb, once working class. Present pronunciation is Mossman, as opposed to former Mozzman} . Mt. D - Mt. Dandenong, Victoria . Muka - Mukinbudin, Western Australia . Mundas- Mundaring, Western Australia . Narra - Narrabeen, New South Wales . Nazza Wazza - Narre Warren, Victoria . Newie - Newcastle, New South Wales . No-hope - Wauchope, New South Wales (a play on the name, which is pronounced "war- hope") . Normo - Normanhurst, New South Wales, also refers to Normanhurst Boys High School . North (The) - The North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales . North Island - derogatory name for mainland Australia used in Tasmania . Northies - Northland, Victoria, in particular referring to Northland shopping centre . Nulla - Cronulla, New South Wales . Nuna - Nunawading, Victoria . Nuri - Nuriootpa, South Australia . Ossie Park - Osborne Park, Western Australia (pronounced "ozzie") . Paddo – Paddington, New South Wales; also refers to Paddington, Queensland, or the hotel there . Pakky - Pakenham, Victoria . Pally - Pallamallawa, New South Wales . Palmy – Palm Beach, New South Wales 'Palmy' or 'Palmo' - Palmerston, Northern Territory

. Parra – , New South Wales, also refers to Rugby League Club . Patto River - Patterson River, w:Victoria. Also Patto Lakes. . Peaky - Peakhurst, New South Wales . Penno – Pennant Hills, New South Wales . Penny – Penrith, New South Wales . Penriff - Penrith, New South Wales . Peppy Grove - Peppermint Grove, Western Australia . Port - Port Macquarie, New South Wales, also Port , South Australia and Portarlington, Victoria . Prinny Hill – Princes Hill, Victoria, also refers to Princes Hill Secondary College . Quay, The - Circular Quay, New South Wales . Reddy - Redcliffe, Queensland . Rego - Regents Park, New South Wales . Rivo - Riverstone, New South Wales . Rocko - Rockingham, Western Australia or Rockdale, New South Wales . Rocky - Rockhampton, Queensland . Rotto - Rottnest Island, Western Australia . Roxy - Roxburgh Park, Victoria . Sandy - Sandringham, Victoria . Scabs - w:Scarborough, Western Australia . Schoey - Schofields, New South Wales . Scumbury - Sunbury, Victoria . Scumshine - Sunshine, Victoria . Seafood - Seaford, Victoria . Sevo - Seven Hills, New South Wales . Shepp - Shepparton, Victoria . Shoppo - Westfield Shoppingtown, Doncaster, Victoria . Sin City - Sydney, New South Wales . Slumshine - Sunshine, Victoria . Slurry - Surry Hills, New South Wales . Smellarat - Ballarat, Victoria. . Snives - St Ives, New South Wales . Sold Coast - Gold Coast, Queensland . Spewcastle - Newcastle, New South Wales . Spewtown - Newtown, New South Wales . Springers - Springwood, New South Wales . Springy – Springvale, Victoria . St Africa – St Ives, New South Wales, from the large population of emigrants from South Africa . Steel City - Broken Hill, New South Wales . Steel Cock - Iron Knob, South Australia . Straddie - Stradbroke Island, Queensland . Strattie - Strathfield, New South Wales . Subi - Subiaco, Western Australia . Sunny Coast - Sunshine Coast, Queensland . Sunshine Hoax - Sunshine Coast, Queensland . Surfers - Surfers Paradise, Queensland . Sutho- Sutherland, New South Wales . Swampea- Swansea, New South Wales . T-Bar- Toowoomba Queensland . T'Gon – Traralgon, Victoria . Tammy or The Worth - Tamworth, New South Wales . Tempy - Templestowe, Victoria . Tassie - Tasmania . The Alice - Alice Springs, Northern Territory . The Bark - Mooroolbark, Victoria or Mount Barker, Western Australia . The Bool - Warrnambool, Victoria,(Also Warny) . The Borough - Port Melbourne, Victoria, in particular their VFL football team . The Coathanger - Sydney Harbour Bridge . The Cunt - Cunnamulla, Queensland . The Curry - Cloncurry, Queensland . The Cross – Kings Cross, New South Wales . The Dome - Telstra Dome, Melbourne, Victoria . The G - The (MCG) . The G Hole - Geelong, Victoria . - Woolloongabba, Queensland, also refers to the cricket stadium in the suburb. . The Go - Bendigo, Victoria . The Gong – Wollongong, New South Wales . The Gool - Warragul, Victoria . The Gully - Ferntree Gully, Victoria . The Isa - Mount Isa, Queensland . The Ky - Kyabram, Victoria . The Loo - Woolloomooloo, New South Wales or Innaloo, Western Australia . The Lucky Country - Australia . The Mount - Mount Gambier, South Australia . The Mud - Coochimudlo Island, off the coast of Queensland . The Park - Waverley Park, Victoria, former AFL venue . The Prom - Wilsons Promontory . The Range - Orange, New South Wales . The Rat - Ballarat, Victoria . The Riff – Penrith, New South Wales . The Roy – Collaroy, New South Wales . The 'Scray - Footscray, Victoria . The 'Sham - Petersham and Lewisham, New South Wales . The Shire - Sutherland Shire, New South Wales . The 'Switch - Ipswich, Queensland . The Thag – Wonthaggi, Victoria . The Valley – Fortitude Valley, Queensland, also refers to the Latrobe Valley, Victoria and Helena Valley, Western Australia . The Womb- Toowoomba Queensland . Tight Ways (The) - Inner City of Sydney, New South Wales, Named due to the narrow streets within the surrounding suburbs of the CBD. . Thommo - Thomastown, Victoria . Toke - Tocumwal, New South Wales . Toony - Toongabbie, New South Wales; alternatively redendered Toonie as in some registered business names; also note the use of Toonga Bay self-deprecatingly by residents . Town - Used by Melburnians to refer to the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria . Traf - Trafalgar, Victoria . Trags - Traralgon, Victoria . Trono - Toronto, New South Wales . Top End (The) - the far north of Australia - usually within the bounds of Northern Territory . Torks - Torquay, Victoria . Tuggers - Tuggeranong, Australian Capital Territory . (The) Tulla - Tullamarine, Victoria, including Tullamarine Freeway . Upper Gully - Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria . Vic Park - Victoria Park, Western Australia . Wagga – Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (pronounced IPA: /'wɔg.ə/) . Wang - Wangaratta, Victoria . Watsy - Watsonia, Victoria . Wavo - Waverley Park, former AFL venue in Mulgrave, Victoria . Wazza - Warrandyte, Victoria . Wello - Wellington, New South Wales . Wenty – Wentworthville, New South Wales Also:Wentworth Falls, New South Wales . West Auckland - Bondi, New South Wales due to the large number of New Zealanders in residence. . West Penno – West Pennant Hills, New South Wales . Whaley – Whale Beach, New South Wales . Whitto or Shittington – Whittington, Victoria . Willy – Williamstown, Victoria . Winch - Winchelsea, Victoria . Winsto - Winston Hills, New South Wales . Woopi - Woolgoolga, New South Wales

Sporting Teams Despite sporting teams in Australia possessing nicknames, many people use colloquial names for them nonetheless, especially when cheering them on from the grandstands. The names listed below are typically unofficial nicknames.

General

. Victoria - the Vics

AFL

. Carlton Blues - the Bluebaggers, Caaaarlton (imitating former president John Elliott's drawl) . Collingwood Magpies - the Pies, the Woods, the Maggies . Essendon Bombers - the Dons . Fitzroy Lions - the Roys . Geelong Cats - the Catters, the Handbaggers . Hawthorn Hawks - the Hawkers, the Poos and Wees . The Kangaroos - North, the Roos, the Kangas, the Shinboners . Melbourne Demons - the Dees, the Redlegs . Port Adelaide Power - Port . Richmond Tigers - Tiges, The Mighty Tigers . St Kilda Saints - the Sainters, the Saints . Sydney (South Melbourne) Swans - the Swannies, the Swanners, South, the Bloods . University Scholars - Uni . - the Weagles, the WC Eagles . Western (Footscray) Bulldogs - the Dogs, the Doggies, the Bullies, the Scray, the Scraggers

VFL

. Box Hill - the Hills . Coburg - the Burgers . Springvale - the Vales . Werribee - the Bees . Williamstown- Willy, Towners

Cricket

. Australia A - the A's (A second first-class team which was created) . West Indies - the Windies

NRL

. Canterbury Bulldogs - the Dogs, the Doggies. . Eastern Suburbs/ - Easts, the Rooters. . Parramatta Eels - Parra, the Snakes, the Slime. . - Souths, the Bunnies, Armani Army. . St George/ Dragons - the Saints, the Dragqueens, St Merge, St Choke. . Penrith Panthers - the Penny Panthers, Penriff. . Brisbane Broncos - the Bronks, the Boncos. . North Queesland Cowboys - the Cowgirls. . Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Manly, the Silvertails. . Wests Tigers - the Tiges, the Tiggers, the Tigpies. . Cronulla Sharks - the Guppies, the 40 Year Old Virgins . Canberra Raiders - the Green Machine, the Faders. . Melbourne Storm - the Mexicans.

NBL

. - the Sixers. Named because South Australia was founded in 1836. Also inspired by the Philadelphia 76ers . - the Crocs . - the Pigs

Soccer

. National Team - the Socceroos, the Roos . Olympic Team - the Olyroos . Womans National Team - the Matildas . National under 16 Team - the Joeys . Sydney FC - the Sky Blues, Bling FC, FC . Melbourne Victory FC - the Victory, the Big V, the Vics, the Tards . Adelaide United FC - the Reds, United, the Commies . Queensland Roar FC - the Roar, the Pussycats, Meow . Perth Glory FC - the Glory . Central Coast Mariners FC - the Mariners, the Fishermen, the Coast . Newcastle Jets FC - the Jets

Appendix:Australian English smoking terms

. billy - a bong . cancer stick - a cigarette . dart – a cigarette . durry – tobacco; a cigarette especially a hand rolled cigarette; possibly from Durrie Rug, which is normally stored rolled up, from the Jaipur region of India . fag – as in British English; due to American media influence this term can also refer to a homosexual man . marg – a cigarette . mull - cannabis . rollie - a hand-rolled cigarette . smoko - a short break from work (whether or not it involves smoking), a coffee break; from smoking break

Appendix:Australian English terms pertaining to the toilet, excrement, urine or vomit Contents [hide]

 1 Toilet terms  2 Excrement  3 Urine  4 Vomit  5 See also

Toilet terms

. crapper or crappa – a toilet Originating from American Soldiers who visited England who saw manholes near the toilets marked with Thos Crapper and Sons Trademark . dunny – a toilet, the appliance or the room – especially one in a separate outside building. This word has the distinction of being the only word for a toilet which is not a euphemism of some kind. It is from the old English dunnykin: a container for dung. However Australians use the term toilet more often than dunny. . shit-house – originally a term for a toilet, but now a generic descriptor meaning something that is badly done or made, or bad in general, as in "The Eagles played shithouse last weekend." Rarely, abbreviated to shouse. . shitter or shitta - a toilet, a lavatory . thunderbox – a toilet . trough lolly - the solid piece of perfumed disinfectant in a men's urinal

Excrement

. arse piss - Diarrhea . Tap Arse - Diarrhea . Bondi cigar or brown-eyed mullet - a turd in the sea (where you're swimming), . goonah – fæces; an Aboriginal word; used in general English in parts of Australia with a large Aboriginal population, including the Northern Territory (universally used), and in sections in other states . skid – "skid mark" a stain in a pair of underpants that bears a resemblance to a rubber skid mark on the road from a car tyre . taking a dump – defecating

Urine

. take a leak - urinate . point percy at the porcelain - urinating in a modern toilet . shake hands with the wife's best friend - urinate . splash me boots - urinate . take a slash - urinate

Vomit

. spew . chunder . curbside quiche . liquid laugh . munt - to vomit . technicolour yawn . yak