Australian Slang

I have been keeping a list of terms I have heard when talking to some of the Australians. Most of them make sense, but a few need translation (at least for me).  After a talk with an Australian friend of mine on Friday, I decided it was time to post the list.

Capsicum= red bell pepper

Sultanas: raisins

Esky= cooler

Shrapnel= change

Full stop= period

Note= $ bill

Groty= dirty

Fortnight= two weeks

Mozzy= mosquito

Larrikin= someone with no shame, but is always likeable

Togs= swimsuit

Jumper= light jacket

Root= The F bomb

Cheeky= flirtatious, silly

Cheers= The greeting I hear more than “G’day mate”

Good on ya= Way to go

Car Park= Parking lot

Rock Melon= Cantaloupe

Booking= appointment

Car Park= Parking lot

Hotel= Usually a name followed by the word “hotel” is a pub.

 

On Friday, I found out I have incorrectly been using a word in Australia AND America.  I was talking about the hill by our house and I said, “That hill is such a booger!” Amy (my Australian friend who fills me in on words I don’t quite get) said, “Do you mean bugger?” (pronounced bugga) I said, “I don’t think so. I mean that hill is a booger.” When Tony corrected me, we all rolled with laughter that I never knew the correct terminology.

It gets better, though:

Amy and I were having a conversation and I said, “I guess I just pulled that out of my fanny.” After we finished chatting, Amy whispered, “When you said fanny earlier, I know what you meant, but you may want to hold back on using the word ‘fanny’ here.” Me (shocked): “Really, WHY?” Amy went on to inform me that fanny means the female girl part when people use the word that starts with P and ends with y.  Surely you all can figure that out without me spelling it! I was horrified! What is funny to me is that most Australians I have met are very free with their words.  Curse words are commonly heard.  I try to hold back by saying fanny, and it is offensive. Yay, me!