How to Speak Australian

Speak the lingo, live the life!

If you’re planning an Aussie adventure, nailing down some local lingo is a must. As if the accent isn’t hard enough to get your head around, just wait til some of these are thrown at you.

Boardies / Togs / Bathers
If you’re hitting the beach, you won’t want to forget these. Slang for Boardshorts, you’ll hear the word “boardies” used around the country. But the other words are specific to particular regions, like “togs” in Queensland and “Bathers” further south, both mean Swimsuit. 

Brolly
It rains more than most people think here in Oz. But when it rains, it often pours. So a travel brolly can be a pretty good idea.

Chockers
If you head to the beach and there’s more people than grains of sand, it’s “chockers”!

Dunny
Crass but very Aussie – if you’re looking for the dunny, it means you need a WC. You’re more likely to hear this in rural areas of the Country. It’s not a word used often but we all know what it means.

Esky
Known as a “cooler” in other parts of the world, an esky helps keep your drinks cold. Our neighbours in New Zealand call it a “chilly bin”.

G’Day
The famous Aussie greeting. You might hear it passing someone on the street or when you’re ordering your morning coffee. Keep your ear out and give it a go yourself if you’re game.

Mozzie
Watch out for mozzies, especially in warm, humid areas. Mozzie spray is your best friend at sunset!

Sanga
Hungry? Grab a sanga at your local. Not sure how we get “sanga” from “Sandwich”, but, that’s Aussies for ya.

Servo
Need snacks or fuel for your road trip? Hit the servo (short for Service Station). Bonus: they sell meat pies —perfect for a budget-friendly bite.

Stubby Holder
If you’re cracking open a cold one, make sure you’ve got a stubby holder to keep it cool. Where you’re from, you might call it a koozie.

Thongs
Nope, not underwear— In the land down under, thongs are flip-flops. Absolutely essential for the beach, but don’t be surprised where else they might be seen. Aussies love to embrace the casual.

Trackies or Trackie dacks
After a long day of exploring, chuck on your trackies and relax at the hostel.

Now you know some basics, get out there and give it a go.

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