25 Australian Words That Baffle Americans
Sure, Australians speak English; it’s just not always the same English Americans speak. Whether you’re hosting an Australian friend, planning a trip to Sydney, or thinking of moving to the Land Down Under, you might want to keep this list handy.
These 25 words and phrases are common with the Aussies, but Americans find them baffling.
1: Chemist
A chemist is a professional working in the science field in the U.S., but in Australia, it refers to a pharmacy. So, if you need to fill a prescription in Brisbane or Sydney, you might be directed to a chemist.
2: Barbie
If you hear the term “barbie” in Australia, it’s a good bet they’re not talking about the plastic doll. In the land down under, the barbie is short for “barbeque” or “grill.”
3: Bathers
Bathers doesn’t refer to people taking a bath, though it is a water-adjacent term. It’s another word for swimsuit or swim trunks.
4: Air Con
On a hot day in the U.S., we might ask to turn on the a/c, but in Australia, they call it “air con.” Although this shortened version of air conditioning makes sense, it puzzles some Americans.
5: Bottle-O
Americans might venture to the liquor store to pick up a six-pack of their favorite brew. But in Australia, they say they’re heading to the bottle-o.
6: Bikkie
In Australian slang, a bikkie is a biscuit that can be sweet or dry. According to Merriam-Webster, one of the most common bikkies is the Anzac, which tastes like an oatmeal cookie.
7: Brekkie
Australian slang often involves clipping words to create shorter variations. Such is the case with brekkie, which means breakfast.
8: Brolly
On a rainy day, your Australian friend might remind you to take a brolly out. They mean you should grab an umbrella.
9: Cut Lunch
A cut lunch refers to sandwiches. It’s also used in the expression, “That’s a cut lunch and a water bag.” In Australian lingo, that means something is far away.
10: Chrissy
“What ya doin’ for Chrissy?” your Australian mate might ask. Save yourself the embarrassment of a blank stare; They’re asking what your Christmas plans are.
11: Cordial
In North America, cordial can refer to someone who’s warm and friendly or to certain types of liquor. In Australia, cordial refers to a flavored syrup you mix with water, sort of like Kool-Aid.
12: Cracker
If you hear the term cracker in Australia, they’re not referring to the crunchy snack. Cracker is synonymous with great, as in, “What a cracker of a time!”
13: Dear
Dear in the land down under isn’t a term of endearment. Instead, it means something is expensive.
14: Dunny
Dunny means toilet in Australian slang. Today, it refers to any type of bathroom, but it originally referred to outhouses.
15: Esky
If someone tells you they’re bringing an esky, it means they’re bringing a portable ice chest. Esky is a popular brand of ice chests produced in Sydney.
16: Fair Dinkum
Fair dinkum means true or genuine. It comes from Australian gold mines, where several Chinese dialects were commonly heard. They would say “din” and “kum,” which loosely translates to true gold.
17: Flanno
The flanno is an Australian wardrobe staple. It’s the abbreviated form of “flannelette shirt.” Flannelette looks similar to flannel, though it may not be as warm because it’s only napped on one side.
18: Footy
Playing footy in Australia means playing football. Don’t get confused, though; this isn’t English football (aka soccer), nor is it American football. Rather, footy is Australian rules football or, sometimes, rugby.
19: Hard Yakka
Yakka, in Australian slang, means work. So, hard yakka means hard work.
20: Kip
In the U.S., you might take a nap on a lazy Saturday afternoon. In Australia, they call it taking a kip.
21: Pom
There are several theories as to why Australians call British people “poms.” Most of them agree that pom is short for pomegranate, but why Brits were conflated with the fruit is unclear. Some think it’s because of the near-instant sunburn Brits often receive when they visit the country.
22: Rellie
Your cousin is your rellie, as is your aunt, your grandmother, and your great uncle. Rellie just means relative in Australia.
23: Ute
Ute makes more sense when you think of it as an abbreviation for utility vehicle. Australians often use it when referring to pick-ups and other automobiles that can navigate rough ground.
24: Walkabout
Initially, white settlers in Australia used “walkabout” to refer to any indigenous activity. It’s since gained meanings that have nothing to do with Aboriginal culture. Today, you might hear it when referring to something that’s lost for good, as in, “That sock’s gone walkabout.”
25: Maccas
Other than an affinity for ending things in “a,” it’s hard to pinpoint a reason that Australians call McDonald’s “Maccas.” If someone invites you to grab a burger at Maccas, though, now you know where you’re heading.
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