Just Book Australia

Since Australia’s predominant language is English, you might think it unnecessary to brush up on any languages before heading off on your Australian vacation.  However, you might want to have a handle on some common Australian slang.  We’ve all heard “put the meat on the barbie” however there are many words and expressions that will go right over visitors’ heads and might even come across as downright scary!

The general term “tucker” refers to all food, and “bush tucker” refers to eating foods that are native to Australia, including plants, herbs, birds, and animals.  If your waiter asks if you’d like some bugs don’t fear, he’s just offering you some tasty shellfish.  Likewise, don’t be alarmed if someone refers to your tomato sauce as dead horse.  Damper is traditional Australian bread.  A snag refers to sausage, chook to chicken while smoko is the morning or afternoon tea.

If you’re having a session then you are drinking at the local pub, and restaurants that are BYO usually mean that you can bring your own alcohol, or grog.  A slab is a carton of beer while a stubby is an individual bottle, and beware if someone wants you to shout because you’ll be buying the house a round of drinks!

If someone suggests you are having a whinge then you are whining too much, however someone who is dinkum is considered honest and sincere.  Calling someone a ratbag is just a friendly swipe, however calling someone a yobbo means they are loud and obnoxious.  A galah is an Australian parrot, and anyone compared to this bird is considered to be an idiot.  If you are “mad as a cut snake” then you’re very angry.

Australians refer to their flip-flops, not their underwear, as thongs.  Mexicans are those who live below the Queensland border, and banana benders are Queenslanders.  A cocky is a farmer, a digger a soldier or war veteran, and an ankle-biter is a small child.