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Outback old slang in Australia
Language Australia - Old fashion outback local slang and lingo
There is some unconventional English in our local dialect around Darwin. As the miners, chaps from the cattle stations or oil rigs come to town to relax you may hear it a bit stronger. Here we suggest a few sayings or words you may encounter on your stay in Darwin.
Now as a word or saying may have a few variances in meaning we suggest you not use it though just know what it usually means so you can have a laugh when you hear it.
You will note Australian's love humour and many offer sarcasm in jest. We often make a witty remark in the most dire of circumstances. Such as a cyclone is about to come your way and your mate say's 'Blimey mate better stock up on the beer'. True the last Cyclone 'Monica' that came through this general area - I was at Northlakes Shopping Centre the day before and I saw many trolley's full of beer coming out and being loaded on utes with a dog at the back - You just had to laugh. "Only in Darwin'.
As Darwin now has a large number of folks moving here from south our language has mellowed over the last 20 years since i have been here. As you venture into the outback it becomes much more noticeable. Also I noticed that lingo meaning can vary between the states in Australia.
The other interesting aspect of the way we speak is some of us speak very quickly and the further you go into the outback we often tend to draw out our words. The reason we tend to speak quickly that was offered to me when I first arrived in Darwin was that it gave you more time to drink. (That's Darwin). Interesting note we now consume wine and spirits nearly as much as we do beer. Note: The author doesn't drink and yes he is a true Darwinian.
Another interesting aspect of Darwin is the dogs. They live like kings and everyone seems to have 1-2. A typical scene at 5.30 pm on a Friday is a ute (4WD with a tray back) towing a tinnie (smaller fishing boat) and a dog in the front passenger seat with its head out the window gulping at the fresh air on Stuart Highway.
GREETINGS - GOODBYE - ANTIDOTES Lingo Why not have a look our lingo/slang if you're visiting from overseas it's fun.
We don't suggest you use it unless you're with locals who are friends as the sayings may sometimes a few different types of meaning.
Heaps Lot's of something Ged Hey Hello - To reply just say 'Hi - how are you' How's it hangin Cheeky way of saying hello - To reply just say just say 'Ok how are you' How's it goin Hello - To reply just say just say 'Ok thanks how are you' I reckon I feel I think See ya later Goodbye and we will see each other again See you round We will meet again Catch up We will meet again Cheerio Goodbye, "see ya later"! In a blue moon Once in a while Just joshin Just kidding or just joking Lingo Language Mate A name for anyone man you meet, or if you can't remember someone's name, or an expression of affection amongst male or female friends Hava gander at To have a glimpse at something You Beaut Congratulations or Looks good (actually it can means a few things) True blue Genuinely Australian Blimey Actually I counted many areas this could be use in - most relevant is here we would so Blimey mate (meaning your enforcing what your going to say) 
WORDS WE CUT IN HALF AND ADD 'ie' TOO
If you look at a lot of lingo we tend to cut the word in half and just add 'ie'. Tinnie, Bickie, Brekkie, Barbie - the reason yep cut the word down so there's more time to drink they said. You have to laugh. Here are some of the 100's we use dailyAussie An Australian Barbie Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fuelled by charcoal or gas Saltie Crocodile Cockie Cockroach Mozzie Mosquito Cockie Cockatoo Tinnie Approx. 14 foot steel or aluminium boat with an outboard motor for fishing Crappie Not pleasant Bikkie Biscuit Brekkie Breakfast Crikie This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it. Cozzies Swimming gear Cushie To have it easy Big bikkies Ample money Pokie Poker machines, slot or fruit machines Pollie
Politician Pozzie Position or seat Scratchie Instant lottery ticket Sickie Paid day off work, usually not due to illness Chuck a sickie Paid day off work, usually not due to illness Our Affection With Weather Gone Troppo Used in the 1940's till 1980's. Mainly referring to certain folks in Darwin that were affected by the humidity build-up between November and January. Now days we have air-conditioning everywhere so no such problem. Goin round the bend Mainly referring to certain folks in Darwin that were affected by the humidity build-up between November and January. Now days we have air-conditioning everywhere so no such problem. P*&^%$ Down Mean's raining heavily. Oh when you hear P*&^%$ you will know what we mean. Raining Buckets Mean's raining heavily. Raining Cats and Dogs Mean's raining heavily. Belting down Mean's raining heavily. Our Affection With Tomato Sauce Fair suck of the sauce bottle To receive a fair go Dead Horse Tomato Sauce Money Scrapnel Coins Loss Change Coins $20 Note Redback
>>>>> Very rarely used - have only heard it on a few occasions - mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced. I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myself$10 Note Whaler - A it was blue in colour
>>>>> Very rarely used -have only heard it on a few occasions - mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced. I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myself$5 Note Pink Lady - As it had a picture of the Queen one it
>>>>> Very rarely used -have only heard it on a few occasions - mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced. I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myselfDrinking Grog Alcohol Darwin Stubby A 2.25 litre bottle of beer made famous as the largest beer bottle in the world. Now days it's purchase as gifts and souvenirs. Thanks Pablo Coldie Bottle or can of beer Shandy This is a beer and lemonade mixed Anzac Shandy This is a beer and champagne mixed Your Shout Meaning it's your turn to buy the drinks Your round Meaning it's your turn to buy the drinks Slab A Carton of beer Tinnie One can of beer Greenie One can of Victoria Bitter Dodgie Not approving of or unsure of someone or a situation or product. One for the road Supposedly last drink - but in reality expect another 2-3 more after this. Amber Nectar Beer TIME Arvo Afternoon Half Past 30 minutes past the hour FOOD Dig In Begin Eating Chow Time Time to eat Luncho Lunch time Tea This can mean dinner time around 6pm Smoko A break from work in-between breakfast, lunch or dinner On the nose Smelly food usually LOCATIONS Easy to spot Easy to see and easy to find Back of Bourke Used to describe anywhere far away, also a far Northern NSW town in the Outback. Black Stump Very remote As the crow flies A straight line of sight Point A to Point B Big smoke The city Billabong Waterhole Woop Woop Back of beyond or the middle of nowhere THINGS - PRODUCTS Idiot box Television Akubra Brand of typical Aussie hat Didgeridoo Aboriginal musical instrument made from a hollowed log Boomerang Aboriginal weapon made from a curved piece of wood which returns when thrown in the air Tinnie Approx. 14 foot steel or aluminium boat with an outboard motor for fishing Ute Utility van or 4WD Car with tray top Scratchie Instant lottery ticket Long Drop Toilet - with a deep hole in the ground Thunderbox Toilet Dunny Toilet Crapper Toilet Loo Toilet WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD OR APPROVALS Onya Good for you Cool Bananas Everything's great On Yah A sound of approval You little bewdy I think you're or it's great You little ripper I think you're or it's great Bonza A sound of approval ie his a Bonza Bloke - good fellow On Yah China A compliment of types Come here China Come here mate- China was an affectionate name for a good bloke or worker or mate. On Yah bro A compliment of types Rightie Oh A sound of approval You bet A sound of approval Crikie This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it. Razzle Dazzle me Impress me Good Looka Attractive Good Sort Attractive Ripper Approval Dinkum Originally - Old England too work hard - now if you add 'Fair to Dinkum" it can mean is it true what you're saying Bloody oath In total agreement with you Crash hot The best Cushie To have it easy Ridgy-didge Genuine or honest WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOOD
Any quotes of a inappropriate nature were not included....there are quite a fewWhinge Too Complain Muck-Up To make a mess of something Lets Blue To request a fight Got the Blues When you're feeling bad Bollocks Disapproval Browned off Upset at someone or something Bugger Upset at something Buzz off Leave me alone U wanna blue To request a fight Fair go mate Sometimes indicates the other person may be upset at something For sure Can be approval or disapproval - You just have to at the person and read the body langauge It's curtains for you You're in trouble (Terry F. our friends say's it's venetian blinds for everyone.) Crappie Not pleasant Crikie This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it. Fair Go Mate Indicating your disapproval Mate don't cross me Don't upset or trick me Don't get in me road Don't upset me and get out of my way Damme Disapproval Dickey On the blink- works sometimes Not On Your Life You will never do something Loose your nuts A sexual connotation about if you don't do something right there will be consequences 'Ava go ya mug Can mean to fight or to try something Barney Argument or fight Bingle Car accident Cop out Give up or in Spit the dummy Uncontrollably upset Strewth I don't believe it Strife Trouble Troppo Slightly mad or from being in the sun too long Zonked Exhausted Dead as a door nail Really dead Kicked the bucket Died Nose out of joint Upset at something or some one He went out sideways Died unusual death SHOPPING OR FOOD Hang On A Minute To wait
Ahhhhhhhh - Now best in Darwin to wait your turn. It may seem on the rare occasion some staff in front of you don't care and are too busy on the phone talking about tonight's dinner or chatting to someone about their brothers aunties sisters cousins daughters husband's next door neighbours xmas party. If you patiently wait your turn they will spend dedicated time with you. This is Tropical Darwin - so relax and enjoy it's quaint ways!!!!
(David A. this is dedicated to your experience in Darwin hahaha)
Brouse To look only not buy Lets Go Dutch Share the bill Do A Runner Not pay the bill and escape Being Fleeced Means the shopper is taking advantage of you Barbie Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fuelled by charcoal or gas BBQ Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fuelled by charcoal or gas Snag Sausage Big bikkies Ample money Billy Tin used to boil water for tea, in the bush Bikkie Biscuit Brekky Breakfast Chuck To throw up, or be sick Cozzies Swimming gear Esky Australian - famous - Insulated cooler box PEOPLE - ANIMALS Aussie An Australian Kid Child Carpet Muncher A cute kid or it can be an annoying little child crawling around mischiefly on the carpet. Bloke Man Bro Man Digger Man Chick Woman Skirt Woman Shela An affectionate term for a woman Old Fossil Geriatric an old person Bumkin Country Chap - Not worldly Scrubs up well Implying a person can look great when they put on decent clothes Blow-in A newcomer Blue Heeler Term for an Australian Cattle Dog Blue or Bluey A redheaded person Brumby A wild horse Grapevine Word of mouth Bush Telegraph Word of mouth Cockie Cockroach Mozzie Mosquito Cockie Cockatoo Croc Crocodile Saltie Crocodile Croweater Person from South Australia (state) Mexican Person from Victoria (state) - Bill's Reminising!!! He calls them mudlarks South of the border Person from Victoria (state) Banana Bender Person from Queensland (state) Cornstalk Bill's Reminising!!!New South Wales folks - called that by old locals Territorians Bill's Reminising!!! Known as whiteants Sandgroper Bill's Reminising!!! People from Western Australia Apple Eaters Bill's Reminising!!! People from Tasmania Tassie Tasmania Cuppa Cup of tea I''m Bushed I'm Tired Roo Kangaroo Folks we have purposely ommitted all the sexual connotations here as this is a tourism site WORK Call It A Day To stop work Contraption Usual said by an older person refering to an old piece or new of electronics or machinery they don't understand Dinkum Orginally - Old england too work hard - now if you add 'Fair to Dinkum" it can mean is it true what your saying Jackaroo A male cattle station worker on bike or horseback Jillaroo A female cattle station worker on bike or horseback Bludger Sponger borrows and never pays back Bust a gut Work hard Slog It out Work hard to the end Yakka Hard work
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Why Travel Around AustraliaOur senses of sight and sound are flooded every day by film and TV. Though if you take a real holiday especially along the coast or the great Australian outback then your other senses of smell and touch will come alive as well. Let a Darwin sunset on Mindil Beach warm up your senses to smelling the pristine outback wilderness of the remote outback Kimberley. When you travel in Australia folks don't just gaze but look and you will see amazing Australian flora and fauna. If you're a family, couple or friends you will create memories most likely from the small things that you experience on the trip such as a butterfly sitting on your cup of tea whilst you're at a roadside stop on the Banks of the Ord River.
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Start 4wd hire or campervan rental from DarwinStart from Darwin Australia travel loop or one way plan
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