Aussie Lingo

If anyone I have met this year decides to come over to Australia in the future I will share some secrets that will allow you to speak like an Aussie in no time, or at least vaguely understand us.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that we try and abbreviate everything. These rules I have worked out only after watching baffled faces or being laughed at by Jenny.

“a”

Chop off the last half of a word and replace it with “a”, and you’ve got the basics. Here are a few examples:

Cuppa = cup of tea or coffee

Maccas = McDonalds (although you will also hear it pronounced as Mackers)

“er”

This follows the same principle as above (which is the basic principle of abbreviations!). The tricky part is that it can be tough to differentiate between an Australian saying “a” and “er”.

Mackers = McDonalds

Sanger = sandwich

“ie” or “y”

This one of the more common forms of Australian abbreviation, with some very popular words in the repertoire, such as:

Aussie = Australia

Barbie = barbeque

Bikkie = biscuit/cracker/cookie (yes, all three)

Brissie = Brisbane

Footy= football

Greenie = environmentally friendly person

Mozzie = mosquito

Tradie = tradesman

“o”

Arvo = afternoon (I’m not sure where the “r” came from either)

Avo = avocado (not to be confused with arvo/afternoon)

Bottle-O = bottle shop / liquor store

Doco = documentary

Journo = journalist

Lingo = language

Smoko = smoke break (or morning tea for the English)