Australian Words & American Translations

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Ever wanted to know how to speak – or at least, understand – the Australian language? By popular request, here’s the list of Aussie words and the American translations that were featured in our recent video. These are just a handful of more than a thousand words than are commonly used down under – they are unique, strange and definitely a bit of fun.

Watch the Video

Australian (Aussie) Words & American Translations

G’day Owyagoin’ =  Hello, how are you?

Winnebago = Common broad term used for a motorhome or recreational vehicle (RV) regardless of the actual brand

Caravan = Travel trailer

Caravan Park = Campground or RV Park

Reverse Park = Parallel park

Gutter = Kerb

Bikkie = Cookie

Lollies = Candy

Fairy Floss = Cotton candy

Fizzy Drink = Soda pop

Snags = Sausages

Pluto Pup = Corn dog

Thongs = Flip flops

G-String = thong, underwear

Fortnight = 14 days / 2 weeks

Maccas = McDonalds

Galah = Fool

Tinny = Can of beer

Tinny = A small, aluminum boat

Tinny = Lucky

Dag = An unstylish person

Grog = Alcohol

Yobbo = Young thug

Drongo = Idiot

Garbo = Garbage truck driver

Cossies = Women’s swimsuit

Boardies = Men’s swimsuit, boardshorts

Budgie Smugglers = Men’s Speedos

Goog = Egg

Full as a Goog = Very full (of food)

Rellos = Relatives

Lations = Relations

Blind = Very drunk

Brekkie = Breakfast

Sickie (as in chucking a sickie) = to take a sick day off work

Telly = Television

Barbie = Barbecue Grill

Sparky = Electrician

Pokies = Slot Machines

Tucker = Food

Plonk = Cheap wine

Sticky Beak = being overly curious in other people’s business

Ratbag = Trouble maker

Pash = Passionate kiss

Pash Rash = Abrasion, red rash from kissing someone with stubble

Pearler = Really good or great

Trackie Dacks = Sweat pants

Mozzies = Mosquitoes

Fairdinkum = a true statement

Bonza = Something is really great

Rego = Vehicle registration

Shonky = Of poor or low quality

Bodgy = Also of poor or low quality

True Blue = Original or authentic

Crust (as in makes a good crust) = Earns a good living

Gob = Mouth

Schnoz = Nose

Dunny = Restroom, toilet

Loo = Also a Toilet

Straya = Short for Australia

Crikey! = An Aussie exclamation

Strewth = An Aussie exclamation, meaning “it’s the truth”

Sanga = Sandwich

Cuppa = Cup of tea or coffee

Tea = Dinner

Too Right Mate = That’s right

Blue = Police Officer

Blue = Argument or fight

Blue = Mistake

Blue = Red haired person

Ranga = Derogatory term for a red haired person

Ridgy Didge = Original

Woop Woop =  Middle of nowhere

Aussie Salute = Brushing away flies with your hand

Chinwag = Conversation

Servo = Fuel/petrol station

Bottlo = Liquor storeChockas = Very full

Chock a block = Also very full, even more full

Pie = Meat pie or a fruit pie like apple pie, but definitely not a pizza pie

Flannos = Flanelette clothing

Carpark = Parking lot or parking garage

Footpath = Sidewalk

Bushwalk = Going for a hike

Avo = Avocado

Arvo = Afternoon

S’arvo = This afternoon

Ute = Open backed utility vehicle like a pickup truck

Ambo = Ambulance Officer or a Paramedic

Anklebiters = Little children

Dummy = Pacifier

Average = Below average, subpar, actually pretty bad

Barney = Argument or fight

Bell = Phone call

Blower = Telephone

Dill = Someone not very bright

Pregnant = Preggo

Postman = Postie

Lipstick = Lippy

Chardy = Chardonnay

Cab Sav = Cabernet Sauvignon

Bingle = Car accident

Ace = Excellent

Ang on = wait a moment

Bludger = Lazy person

Cactus = Useless, broken

Chewy = Chewing gum

Chook = Chicken

Cark it = to die

Esky = Ice cooler

Fossick = to search for something

Good Onya = Good for you

Larrikin = Mischievous person

Chateau Cardboard = boxed wine

Hoon = Fast reckless driver

Prang=  Car accident

Prawn = Shrimp

Rissole = Hamburger patty

Speedo = Speedomoeter

Bonnet = Front hood

Boot = Trunk

Pelmet = Window valance

Stubby = Bottle of beer

Stubbies = Short shorts

Ratbag = Troublemaker

Ta = Thank you

Tar = Asphalt

Top Drop = Good beer or wine

Slab = Case of beer

Jumper = Sweater

Whinge = To complain

Yank = American (sometimes called a Septic Tank in rhyming slang)

Yonks ago = A long time ago

Hubby = Husband

Missus =  Wife

Clocked = Get caught speeding

Hairdryer = Stationery police radar gun

Juice = Fuel, petrol

K’s = Kilometers

Shopping trolley = Shopping cart

Shopping trolley = Small hatchback car

Stack = Crash

Anchors = Brakes

Rubber = Eraser

Rubber = Tires

Rubber = Condom

Hooray = Goodbye

Hooroo = Goodbye

Hit the Frog and Toad = Goodbye, it’s time to hit the road

Bumbag = Fanny pack. Fanny is an intimate female body part, so the term ‘fanny pack’ is not recommended to be used when down under (pardon the pun) as it’s considered a rude word.

Sample Paragraph of Aussie words from above

While most Aussies wouldn’t speak like this, we understand exactly what it means, though it would be completely confusing to just about everyone else.


So we jumped in the Winnebago to head to the caravan park, hubby kept an eye on the speedo as he hooned down the freeway and stopped at the servo to fill er up with juice, passed a bingle with an ambo along the way while the missus had a whinge about the drongo who caused the prang. Marc jumped on the anchors when he saw a bluey with a hairdryer so he wouldnt get clocked on the freeway doing a hundred k’s. He pulled up at the caravan park and did a little ripper of a reverse park while Jewels pulled a stubbie and a chardy from the esky and got the barbie started with a few snags and rissoles for tea.
 

Know some other great Aussie words that we missed? Share them below!

4 thoughts on “Australian Words & American Translations”

  1. Happy birthday, Julie! Have a pearler of a day filled with great tea and top drop as well as many pashes on Saturday and a memorable day in Orlando. Ta for sharing.

    Reply

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