For some reason we humans get a kick out of corrupting the English language with what we call slang. A lot of the early slang words came from sailors on British merchant ships. One of the most common is sling yer hook. . the modern parlance is to hurry along. The original connotation is to do with where you hung your sleeping hammock. Then came the East London Cockney rhyming slang. Let's take a butchers hook . Meaning lets take a look.
Australia picked up some of its slang from the English but it does have much of its own home grown sayings.
Here are a small portion.. Note how we tend to abbreviate many common words. Is this uniquely an Australian trait. Perhaps.
Australia picked up some of its slang from the English but it does have much of its own home grown sayings.
Here are a small portion.. Note how we tend to abbreviate many common words. Is this uniquely an Australian trait. Perhaps.
- A Cold One/ Amber Fluid – Beer
- Ankle Biter – Child
- Arvo – Afternoon (S’Arvo – this afternoon!)
- Aussie Salute – Wave to scare the flies
- Bail – To cancel plans.
- Barbie – Barbecue
- Bathers/Swimmers/ Male or female swimsuit. Budgie Smugglers – Male swim briefs.
- Beauty! – Great! Most often exclaimed as “You Beauty” Also Ripper.
- Bogan – This word is used for an uncouth or unsophisticated person regarded as being of low social status.
- Booze Bus – Police vehicle used to catch drunk drivers
- Bottle-O – Bottle Shop, basically a place to buy alcohol
- Brekky – Breakfast.
- Brolly – Umbrella
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