slang handbook 09
DESCRIPTION
Livre d'anglaisTRANSCRIPT
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By Dr Anna Chur-Hansen and students
Talking about health and illness
Australian slang handbook
2009 Edition
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Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02 Page 2 of 34 Author: Dr Anna Chur-Hansen Approved by: Medical Education Manager Last updated: September 2009
Copyright 1998 University of Adelaide Department of Psychiatry. Used with permission. This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the publisher. Inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Publications Officer. The 1998 version was contributed to in 2005 by Victoria Cheng, Alison Chew, Chen Kean Choy, Sue Ann Loh, Kelvin Lye & Siew Lee Shu, and in 2006 by Vanessa Tee, Priya, Desmond Ong, Chin Jong Khen and Chua Su Ling This edition adapted with permission. Adapted version published & printed by: Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program Lower Level, 183 Melbourne Street NORTH ADELAIDE 5006 Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02 Adapted by: Senior Education Research Officer Editor: Publications Officer
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CONTENTS
What is colloquial English? ............................................................................................................................... 2
Why is it important for GPs to know slang?.................................................................................................. 3
What can I do if someone uses informal language that I dont understand? ........................................ 4
A strategy for use in the clinical situation....................................................................................................... 4
What strategies are there for learning this sort of language?................................................................... 5
What are some common slang words that a patient might use? ............................................................. 6
Index of Australian slang .................................................................................................................................... 1
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WHAT IS COLLOQUIAL ENGLISH? There are different styles of language that a person can use depending upon the situation they are
in. Sociolinguistics considers how language reflects not only the meaning of the words, but the
speakers relationship to the listener, and their age, gender, socio-economic background and so
on.
Elaborated versus restricted codes of language are important ways of identifying and thinking
about language use. That is, people who are well educated or well read might use longer, more
complex sentences and have a greater vocabulary at their disposal (elaborated code), as
compared to others, whose speech may be less varied (restricted code).
In Australia, most people use informal speech: slang, or colloquial English. Some people use it
more often than others, but most people use it, especially in informal situations, regardless of
whether their usual code is restricted or elaborated. Sociolinguistics shows us how some slang
belongs to certain age groups, or people with certain educational backgrounds, and so on.
Some Australian people use American slang, but certainly we have a great deal of slang and
informal speech that is unique to us and is not shared by other English speakers. The specific
form of English (with all of its slang included) used in Australia is referred to as Australian English.
Slang is shaped by the culture of the people, and its use is contextually dependent. Many things
that we say to each other have historical roots, or come from our environment, like sayings based
on references to the weather or animals or plants that are from here. Some slang is specific to a
particular state or to the country as opposed to the city, and so on. Informal speech makes it
difficult to learn a new language because it is often not written down anywhere; if it is written
down it is fairly meaningless if taken out of context.
Australian slang is often based on rude or vulgar words. However, the meaning may be quite the
opposite. To give an example, one man might say to another, you old bastard!. That would not
necessarily mean that the person was elderly, or had parents who were not married to each other.
If said with a smile or a slap on the back, it is a term of affection; if said in anger, it means that an
argument might be about to happen; if said with a sly grin it might mean that the person is
cunning or clever. Nonverbal communication used together with slang is often very important in
correctly interpreting what the slang words actually mean.
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR GPs TO KNOW SLANG? Doctors need to know a great deal of medical terminology that they use when communicating
effectively with the colleagues, and must be able to use the correct, educated, elaborated code
of English.
However, this way of speaking is not sufficient if it is the only way in which you know how to
speak. You need to be able to interact with Australian colleagues and reception staff, members of
the community, your teachers and mentors. If you speak very formally all the time, you may
discover that people dont warm to you. They may feel uncomfortable with your interaction. They
may also perceive that you dont understand what they are saying. Therefore, they might restrict
their language to a very basic, formal level in response to yours. This is not a good start in building
rapport between you and other people, and it is not good for the development of your language
skills because you wont get to hear everyday Australian English.
You also need to know slang because you have to talk to patients. You are expected to listen to
people, understand them, and be able to accommodate their language level. An important skill for
you as the doctor is the ability to engage this such language accommodation, to be able to
communicate with a patient so that they understand you; doing so will foster the relationship
between you.
A GP is expected not only to master the appropriate communication skills to be a doctor, such as
rapport, open-ended questions and so on, but also to have a level of English-language proficiency
that is adequate for their doctor-patient interactions. Your proficiency must encompass not only
technical jargon, but everyday, informal language as well. Patients will often use polite forms of
language with the doctor, but their vocabulary may sometimes be limited to slang. During times of
emotional distress, patients may revert to speech that they have learned earlier in life, or which
they commonly use in their everyday life. This will include slang.
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WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMEONE USES INFORMAL LANGUAGE THAT I DONT UNDERSTAND? There are probably thousands of examples of slang words. No one could possibly be expected to
know them all. People may well say things that dont seem to make sense to you. The big mistake
here is to pretend that you know what they are talking about when you are not sure.
Below are two strategies you can use when you dont understand:
1. Simply ask them what they mean. There is nothing at all wrong with doing this.
2. Use your knowledge of communications skills to summarise what they have said as you
understand it. That way, if you are mistaken they can tell you so.
A strategy for use in the clinical situation.
1. Ask the patient what they mean. Ensure that you use open ended questions, to facilitate
rapport and openness. For example, you might ask, Im not sure what you mean by that;
are you able to explain it for me? or, Im not familiar with that word/phrase, what does it
mean? Similarly, you could summarise what the patient has said as you have understood
it, so that they can tell you if you are mistaken.
2. Write down the word in a notebook dedicated to the purpose.
3. After the consult, or when you have a list of words, take your notebook with you to your
mentor, or someone who you trust, and ask them what it means.
4. Ensure you find out who would use the word/phrase;
what circumstances the word/phrase is used in; what
the word/phrase means; to whom the word/phrase
might be used.
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WHAT STRATEGIES ARE THERE FOR LEARNING THIS SORT OF LANGUAGE? You cannot learn a great deal about informal language from a book. The kind of approach to
language acquisition you need for informal or slang language is an active rather than a passive
one. Certainly you can look at the books for examples and for interest, and there are some books
that demonstrate informal Australian English very well, but real people and the spoken word is far
more valuable to you here.
So, what specifically can you do to gain some idea of our informal language?
1. Talk to people. Talk to your friends and colleagues. This is not as easily done as said, but you will discover that usually the effort in overcoming your fear or nerves will be
repaid in many ways. You might find out that there are some people who are quite happy
to share their knowledge of informal language with you.
2. Participate actively in your community. If you have time, try to join a sporting club, or a social club or organisation. Not only will it help you become part of your community, it is
a good way of finding out about how people speak in your immediate context. Other ways
you might find of doing this are by actively participating in activities that your childrens
school put together, or by going to the pub for a drink or a meal
3. Notice what people say. Keep an exercise book of words that you hear people, in your immediate context and region, or in the media, which you dont understand. Then ask
someone what the words mean and write the meanings down next to them. Be sure to
find out what the term means, who would be most likely to use it, under what
circumstances, and to whom.
Keep building on the list, and eventually you will have a good resource of informal
language specific to your region. We encourage you to share them with other IMGs by
forwarding your lists to Adelaide to Outback; we will update the lists in the rear of this
handbook, so that the resource continues to be valid and useful.
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WHAT ARE SOME COMMON SLANG WORDS THAT A PATIENT MIGHT USE? There are many different figures of speech that a patient might use to refer to body functions,
parts of their anatomy, their state of health, what they have been doing, and so on. Some common
ones are listed on the following pages.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive list by any means. It is meant to serve as a reference for you.
Add colloquialisms of your own where you find that they are not included here.
The index, which commences on the next page, will provide you with a list in alphabetical order,
which will help you to find the words and phrases that you need with ease.
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INDEX OF AUSTRALIAN SLANG This index is in alphabetical order by word and by phrase. Phrases are listed in their entirety, for
ease of reference.
Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Ace! Thats ace! Excellent, very good
Aliens Visited by aliens Menstruation (older)
Amber fluid Get some amber fluid into yer Beer (old fashioned, rural)
Ambo Hes an ambo Ambulance driver, paramedic
Ankle biters Ive got three ankle biters Young children
Apeshit He went apeshit Got very angry. Vulgar expression.
Arab Got an arab Dry mouth
Around the bend She went round the bend
Mentally unwell/ unstable Used in the third person.
Arse On my arse (referring to arse) Vulgar term for bottom.
Arse Hes a pain in the arse What a pain in the arse Its a pain in the arse
Expression of annoyance or irritation. Vulgar
B & S Bachelor and Spinsters ball, held in rural areas
Back of bourke
a long way away, up the back o bourke A very long way away
Back out Ive put my back out I have a sore back
Back passage Anus
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Bail up He bailed her up in the pub. To corner somebody
Balls My balls are itchy. Scrotum
Bananas He went bananas
Mentally unwell/ unstable. Also can mean angry, depending on context of nonverbal language Used in the third person.
Bathroom Visit the bathroom Go to the toilet
Bent Im nice and bent Affected by drugs. Most commonly used to refer to marijuana
Berserk I went berserk Very angry
Better half This is my better half. Partner
Bingle She was in a bingle. Motor vehicle accident
Birds Birds are all the same. Women/ females. (old fashioned)
Bludger Shes a real bludger. Lazy person
Blue Im feeling blue Sad, depressed
Blue There was a blue in the pub on Saturday night. Fight (rural)
Bogans The place was full of bogans. White trash, people in low socioeconomic areas
Bollocks Scrotum (vulgar)
Boobs My boobs hurt. Breasts
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Bottle-O It was in the bottle-o. Drive through bottle shop
Bound up Im a bit bound up Constipated (older people)
Boys/ girls room Visit the little boys room Bathroom/ toilet
Brekkie Breakfast
Bricks short of a load Hes two bricks short of a load Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
Buckleys
Youve got buckleys You know how many chances youve got dont yer? Buckleys and none.
You dont have much chance
Bugger off Why dont yer just bugger off out of it! To leave/ go away (commonly used in irritation)
Buggered I feel buggered Tiredness
Bulldust Thats bulldust! Not true
Bum steer Ive been given a bum steer Misled
Bummer What a bummer Disappointing. Used by younger people.
Bun in the oven Shes got a bun in the oven Pregnant
Bushed Im bushed Tiredness
Bushed I was completely bushed Lost (mainly rural)
Butterflies Ive got butterflies in my stomach Anxiety, nervousness. Females probably say this more than males.
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Cable Lay a cable Faeces
Cancer sticks I bought some cancer sticks Cigarettes (old fashioned) (mainly rural)
Carked it She carked it Died
Check it out Oh, check it out! Look (younger people)
Cheers Thanks
Chicks Women/ females. Most common among young people and surfers
Chip off the old block Hes a real chip off the old block Child resembles the parent (old fashioned)
Chook Like a chook with its head cut off Chook = chicken chook with its head cut off = flustered
Chook Old chook Mum/ wife
Chuck I chucked Vomit
Chunder I chundered all over the floor. Vomit (mostly younger people)
Clap Shes got the clap Gonorrhoea
Cloud 9 Shes on cloud 9 Very Happy
Cold day in hell
It will be a cold day in hell when I Expression of strong defiance
Cold one Dyer wanna cold one? Beer
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Cold Turkey Go cold turkey Abstain from using drink/ drugs, after having used them in considerable quantities over a period of time
Coldie I had a coldie. Beer
Cool Sounds cool Oh, cool Yeah, thats cool
Good, okay, excellent. Can be combined with words like fun: ie, cool fun
Cotton mouth Gave me complete cotton mouth. Dry mouth
Counted sheep Shes counting sheep Sleeping/ fell asleep
Crack the whip He cracked the whip Working hard
Crap
I feel like crap It was crap This is crap This tastes like crap
A general descriptor meaning bad (vulgar). Also a vulgar term for faeces.
Crazy Hes crazy She went crazy
Mentally unwell. Can sometimes mean angry depending on context. Used in the third person.
Crick I have a crick in my neck Sore neck
Crock What a crock! Not true
Crook I feel crook Unwell
Crook That tasted crook Bad
Curse Got the curse Menstruation (older)
Cut [persons] lunch
The bugger cut Dicks lunch. Steal someones partner
Cut snake Shes as mad as a cut snake Mentally unwell (old fashioned). Used in the third person.
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Cut snake She was as mad as a cut snake Angry, depending on context. (old fashioned). Used in the third person.
Dad Husband (older)
Daries Got any daries? Cigarettes (youth, rural)
Darts Got any darts? Cigarettes (rural)
Dead beat Im dead beat Tired
Dicky He has a dicky heart Doesnt work properly
Dill Oh, youre a dill! Silly
Dim A bit dim Lacking in intellect/a bit stupid
Ditzy Didnt think I was that ditzy Air-headed, silly, forgetful
Dodgy Thats dodgy Not very good quality
Dogs dinner, done like a
Im done like a dogs dinner Tiredness (old fashioned)
Done and dusted All done and dusted Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned)
Done in Im done in Tiredness (old fashioned)
Doodle My doodle hurts. Penis (esp with children)
Doornail Dead as a doornail Dead
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Down I feel down Sad, depressed
Downer Shes on a downer Sad, depressed
Downer What a downer. Disappointing. Used by younger people.
Downhill Its all downhill from here Things are going badly and will probably get worse. (old fashioned)
Drongo Oh you drongo! Im not a bloody drongo! Idiot
Dropped off I just dropped off Fell asleep
Dry out I need to dry out Abstain from using alcohol after consuming quite a bit over a period of time.
Duffer Youre a duffer! Silly (usually to young children who hurt themselves in a minor way)
Dugans I had a dugan Cigarettes (younger people)
Dumps Im down in the dumps Sad, depressed.
Elbow grease Just needs a bit of elbow grease
Work hard Hard work (eg scrubbing)
Fags I bought some fags Cigarettes
Fair to middling Im fair to middling Feeling alright (old fashioned)
Fart Pissed as a fart Drunk
Fart She farted Pass flatulence
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Fat as a pig Im fat as a pig. Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone.
Fatso What a fatso! Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone
Fish out of water I felt like a fish out of water Alien or out of place
Fit as a fiddle Im fit as a fiddle Feeling good/ fit/ well
Flat as a tack She seemed flat as a tack Sad, depressed. Can also mean tired.
Flat strap Working flat strap Working hard
Forty winks Shes having forty winks Sleeping
Frog I have a frog in my throat Sore throat that affects the voice
Front passage Problem with the front passage Trouble with urinary tract, usually passing urine
Full packet Not the full packet Mentally unwell/ unstable Used in the third person.
Full quid Hes not the full quid Intellectual disability. Less often it is used to mean mentally unwell/ unstable Used in the third person.
Ga-ga Shes gone ga-ga Mentally unwell/ unstable Used in the third person.
Galah Youre a galah! Silly (rural)
Gammy She has a gammy leg Immobile, damaged, painful (old fashioned)
Gander Have a gander Look (older people)
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Glad rags Get your glad rags on Dressed up
Goog Egg
Full as a goog Im full as a goog Overeat
Hair brained Shes bloody hair-brained Silly
Hairy-arsed goat
Running around like a hairy-arsed goat
Flustered (vulgar). Mainly used in rural areas.
Hatter Mad as a hatter Mentally unwell Used in the third person.
Head down, bum up Working hard
Hell broke loose All hell broke loose!
Things went a bit crazy; people got angry. Not used to refer directly to people or things.
Hell for leather She was going hell for leather Very fast
Hell for leather Working hard
High High as a kite Affected by drugs
Home and hosed Its home and hosed Finished
Hoons rough people
How are you going?
Greeting; return reply is good thanks, not bad, and you, how are you?
Hubbie/Hubby Husband
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Hungries Lets go to Hungries Hungry Jacks (urban)
Hurl Ooh, he hurled Vomit
Iffy Feeling iffy Unwell
Iffy Its a bit iffy Uncertain
In a bind In a difficult situation (old fashioned)
In a spot In a difficult situation (old fashioned)
Itchy bits Ive got itchy bits, doc Itchy genitals
Jubba What a jubba! Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone.
Kicked the bucket
He kicked the bucket the other day Died
Kids Children
Knackered Im knackered Tiredness
Knocked up Hes knocked her up Shes knocked up Pregnant
Legless He was legless Drunk
Lights are on but no-ones home
Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
Like a chimney She smokes like a chimney Heavy smoke
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Like a fish She drinks like a fish Drinks a lot of alcohol, alcoholic
Like a light Out like a light Fall asleep
Like a train He smokes like a train Heavy smoker
Little woman This is my little woman Wife (older)
Load Take a load off Take a load off your feet Sit down
Loo Im going to the loo. Toilet
Loopy Shes loopy Mentally unwell Used in the third person.
Lord Drunk as a lord Drunk (old fashioned)
Lost it She got upset and lost it Angry, very angry
Lost the plot He lost the plot Angry. Also mentally unwell/ unstable, depending on full context of use Used in the third person.
Lousy Im feeling lousy Very unwell
Lousy Thats lousy! Awful
Lousy This food tastes lousy Awful
Lurgey Ive got the lurgey An illness going around at the time
Maccas Lets go to maccas McDonalds take away
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Make yourself scarce
Go on, make yourself scarce. To leave/ go away
Mental Chuck a mental Got very angry. Usually used by younger people.
Mental Shes mental Youre mental. Intellectual disability. Derogatory term, used as an insult, mainly by younger people.
Missus Gotta ask the missus Wife/ female partner
Monthlies Ive got my monthlies Menstruation/ menstruating. Older people.
Mother Wife (older)
Mr Wobbly Penis
Newt Pissed as a newt Drunk
Nick off She nicked off! To leave
Nick off Why dont you just nick off! Go away (used in argument)
Nodded off He nodded off! Fell asleep
Noggin Watch your noggin! Head. Often used to describe ones head (older people), or in speaking to children
Nose to the grindstone Working hard
Number one Urine (esp used with children)
Number Two Faeces (esp used with children)
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Nuts Hes nuts Mentally unwell Used in the third person.
Nuts Oooh me nuts! testicles
Off Im feeling a bit off Unwell
Off colour I feel off colour Unwell
Off his head He was totally off his head Affected by drugs
Off my face I was completely off my face. Affected by alcohol or drugs
Off the planet He was off the planet Affected by drugs
Old fella The old fella hasnt been quite up to it lately. Penis
Old man Husband (older people) Dad (younger people)
One-eyed trouser snake
Penis
Other half This is my other half. Partner
Out of it I was out of it Affected by drugs/ drink
Over and done with Its all over and done with Finished
Over the moon Im over the moon Very Happy
Paint the town red Go out and get drunk
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Pale as a ghost
Im/ he/ she is/ was pale as a ghost
Someone looked unwell or, depending on context
Pass gas She passed gas Flatulence
Pass water Urinate (old fashioned)
Pass wind Pass flatulence
Passed away She passed away Died
Pee Urine
Percy Penis
Periods Ive got my periods Menstruation/ menstruating. Very common in all ages.
Pew Pull up a pew Sit down
PFO Pissed and fell over Drunk
Pins and needles
Ive got pins and needles in my finger!
Tingling/numbness in the limbs. Used by absolutely everybody.
Piss Urine or alcohol (depending on context)
Piss off To leave/ go away (vulgar; commonly used in irritation)
Pissed He was pissed! Drunk (vulgar)
Pissed I was so pissed! Angry (younger people) (vulgar)
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Plastered I was plastered Drunk
Pokies She spends all day in the pokies. Gambling machines/ place where people use gambling machines (short for poker machines)
Poo Faeces
Pop I popped! Pass flatulence (esp with children)
Pop off I popped off! Pass flatulence (esp with young children)
Porker Hes a porker. Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone.
Porky Shes porky. Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone.
Powder my nose
If youll excuse me, I just need to powder my nose. Urinate (old fashioned)
Preggers I dont want to get preggers Pregnant
Prezzie Thanks for the prezzie! Present
Pub Im going down the pub. Hotel (everyone)
Puke Oh yuk, she puked! Vomit
Pull your finger out
Well, you just need to pull your finger out. Work hard
Quack Doctor
Rabbits They breed like rabbits Have many children. Often used in a derogatory sense, as in Australia the rabbit is a pest.
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Rags Got your rags On my rags Got my rags
Menstruating/ menstruation. Considered vulgar by some, but is very common among lots of ages in rural areas.
Rapt Im rapt Shes rapt
Very happy, very impressed. Mainly used by younger people but can be used by people up to the age of 55.
Raw prawn Dont come the raw prawn with me!
Innocence. It means that you shouldnt lie to the person (old fashioned) Used more in rural areas
Red flag The red flags flying Menstruation (older)
Red herring Misled
Riff-raff rough people
Rocket scientist Shes not a rocket scientist Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
Rollies Have you got any rollies? Roll-your-own cigarettes
Rooted Im rooted Tiredness
Rooted He rooted her He had sex with her
Rooted I was rooted Tiredness or having had sex, depending on other context.
Rug rats Children
Run down Ive been feeling run down Unwell and tired
Runs Ive got the runs Diarrhoea
Sandwich short of a picnic
Hes a sandwich short of a picnic. Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Scatter-brained
Gee, youre a bit scatter-brained today. Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
Scone On me scone Head.
Screamed the place down
She screamed the place down Got very angry and yelled a lot. Usually used in the third person.
Screw loose Shes got a screw loose Mentally unwell/ unstable. Used in the third person
Seedy Im feeling seedy Unwell
Seedy Im feeling seedy Hungover, depending on the context.
Shag on a rock I felt like a shag on a rock Alien or out of place (old fashioned)
Sheila Shes not a bad sheila. Women/ females a very Australian term. Mostly rural.
Shit I feel like shit It was shit This is shit
A general descriptor meaning bad (vulgar)
Shithouse I feel shithouse It was shithouse That is shithouse
Generally means bad; in terms of health it means unwell. (vulgar)
Shits It gives me the shits He gives me the shits Expression of annoyance or irritation. Vulgar
Shits Ive got the shits Diarrhoea
Shoot through She just shot through To leave
Shrink Psychiatrist
Sick as a dog I am sick as a dog Very unwell
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Sickie Take a sickie Chuck a sickie Didnt go to work because of illness or pretended illness (most common is the latter)
Six foot under Shes six foot under Dead
Skunk Drunk as a skunk Drunk (old fashioned)
Slingshot Bra (older people)
Smashed She was smashed Affected by alcohol or drugs
Smoke-O I noticed it on smoke-o. Break, like morning tea
Snag Do you want a snag? Sausage
Snag short of a barbie Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
Snooze Im going to have a snooze Sleep
Snuffed it He snuffed it Died
Sore thumb She stuck out like a sore thumb Alien or out of place
So-so Im so-so Feeling alright
South Its all gone south Its all south from here Things are going badly and will probably get worse (old fashioned)
Spaced out Shes spaced out Intellectual disability OR affected by drugs, depending on context
Spend a penny I need to go spend a penny. Urine/ go to the toilet (old fashioned, rural)
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Spew Im gonna spew I spewed Vomit.
Spewing She was spewing Angry. Used by younger people.
Spewing Im spewing about it! Angry, or jealous, depending on context. Used by younger people.
Splitting head I have a splitting head Headache
Sprog There was sprog all over the floor! Semen
Spun me out It totally spun me out Amazed (younger)
Spun out I was completely spun out Affected by drugs
Squiz Have a squiz Look
Squizzum Dyer wanna have a squizzum? Look (old fashioned)
Stage Just a stage hes going through Adolescence
Stiff as a board Im as stiff as a board Have stiff or aching muscles.
Stoked Im stoked! Very happy or very impressed. Younger persons expression.
Stoned Im stoned Affected by drugs; most commonly used to refer to marijuana
Stuffed Im stuffed Tiredness
Stuffed myself
I totally stuffed myself Im stuffed Overeat
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Stuffed up She stuffed up her knee Injured
Tacker Little tacker Children/ young children
Tailors I dont smoke tailors Ready-made cigarettes
Tard Dont be a tard! Mum, is he a tard? Person with severe physical or intellectual disability. Insulting.
Tea Do you wanna come over for tea? Dinner, evening meal
Technicolour yawn Vomit (older)
Thongs I was wearing thongs. Cheap rubber backless sandals
Throw up Im gonna throw up. Vomit
Ticker The old ticker Heart. Used more often by older people.
Tickets Shes got tickets on herself Hes got tickets
Overconfident/ arrogant Used in the third person Can be used as an insult.
Tight She was pretty tight Drunk (old fashioned)
Tinnie I had about six tinnies. Can of beer
Tip-top Im in tip-top shape Good/ fit/ well
Tits My tits feel weird. Breasts
Toot (sound like book) Just goin to the toot! Toilet
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Top of the world Im on top of the world Very happy
Trolley Off his trolley Drunk (old fashioned)
Trolley Off his trolley Mentally unwell
Trots Ive got the trots Diarrhoea (older people)
Trouble down there
Ive had a bit of trouble down there. Problem with genitals
Tubby Oi! Tubby! Im a bit tubby. Overweight. Insult when directed at someone.
Tucker I think the tucker was bad. Food
Tuckered out
Im all tuckered out I was tuckered out Tiredness (old fashioned or to children)
Tummy My tummys sore. Stomach
Turd He did a turd. Faeces (by children/ younger people)
Two bob short Hes two bob short Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid (old fashioned)
Under the carpet Sweep it under the carpet Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned)
Under the table Its all under the table Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned).
Under the table It was done under the table Not in accordance with the rules
Under the weather
Im under the weather I feel a bit under the weather Unwell
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Underdaks My underdaks feel too tight. Underpants
Undies My undies feel too tight. Underpants
Unreal Thats unreal! Oh, unreal! I had an unreal time
Excellent, very good
Up him/her-self
Hes up himself Shes up himself
Overconfident/ arrogant. Used in the third person. Can be used as an insult.
Up shit creek [without a paddle]
We were really up shit creek He was up shit creek without a paddle
In a difficult situation (vulgar)
Up the creek Now were up the creek! In a difficult situation
Up the duff Shes up the duff again Pregnant (younger, low socioeconomic)
Up the spout Shes up the spout Pregnant
Vamoose Lets vamoose! To leave
Vegetable Poor kids a vegetable now. Person with severe physical or intellectual disability. Insulting.
Veggie Mum, hes a vegie! Person with severe physical or intellectual disability. Insulting.
Visitor Ive got the visitor Menstruation (older)
Wag I wagged I wagged it Miss school illegally
Wally Youre a wally! Silly
Wasted She was wasted I was wasted Affected by drugs and/or alcohol (younger)
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Waterhole Heading down to the waterhole after work. Hotel (older)
Watering hole
Heading down to the watering hole after work. Hotel (older)
Waterworks Seems to be a problem with the waterworks. Urine/ urination (older people)
Wee I need to wee all the time. Urine
Wee wee Urine (esp used with children)
Whacked He was whacked Affected by drugs
Whinge She keeps whingeing about her sore finger. To complain
White balls on a black dog
He stuck out like white balls on a black dog
Alien or out of place (vulgar) (rural)
Wicked Thats wicked! Oh, wicked! I had a wicked time
Excellent, very good
Wild goose chase Shes gone on a wild goose chase Misled
Wired to the ground Completely wired to the ground. Affected by drugs, specifically marijuana
With child Shes with child Pregnant (old fashioned)
Wobbly He chucked a wobbly Got angry. Used by/ to younger people.
Wog
Ive got a wog Ive had a wog Twenty-four hour wog I caught a wog
Unidentified minor illness, like flu Illness that lasted a day Caught a minor illness
Wonky I feel wonky Unwell, dizzy
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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Wonky Thats wonky Crooked
Woozy I feel woozy Unwell, dizzy, lightheaded
Work like a dog Work hard
Wrong end of the stick
No, youve got the wrong end of the stick Misled, misunderstood
Yobbo rough people
Other resources and lists of words you mind find useful include:
Hunt, Ken. 1993. The Xenophobes Guide to the Aussie. Ravette Books: Sussex.
Lambast, J (ed). 2000. Macquarie Book of Slang; Australian Slang in the Noughties. Macquarie
University Press: Sydney.
Australian slang at www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html