American vs Aussie Sayings

One of the many reasons I decided to study abroad in Australia is because Australians, like Americans, speak English. However, there are definitely some dialect and slang differences I knew would keep things interesting. I’ll be sure to keep this post updated as I spend the next five months here and stick to words that I’ve heard people actually say! The often-shortened Aussie words will come first then I’ll list how they would be said in the United States. Comment below any of these “translations” that caught you by surprise :)

📌Leighton Beach, Western Australia

Terms:

• aircon = air conditioning

• al foil = aluminum foil

• arvo = afternoon

• avo = avocado

• baking paper = parchment paper

• barbie = barbecue/bbq

• boorda* = goodbye/see you later

• brekkie/brekky = breakfast

• capsicum = bell pepper

• car park = parking lot

• defo = definitely

• devo = devastated

• mate = friend

• give way = yield

• herbs (“h” is pronounced) = herbs (“h” is silent)

• holiday = vacation

• mcdonald’s = maccas

• mince = ground meat

• pavements = sidewalks

• petrol = gas

• prawns = shrimp

• reckon = think

• root for = have sexual relations with

• (rubbish) bin = trash can

• servo = gas station

• singlet = tank top

• ta = thank you

• take away = to go

• thongs = flip flops

• toilet = bathroom/restroom

• trolley = shopping cart

Educational:

• college/university = uni

• course = degree/program

• mark = grade

• professor = unit coordinator

• unit = class

• unit guide = syllabus

• unit set = major/minor

Sayings:

• “airy fairy”

  • absent-minded, in one’s own world

• “hit the shops”

  • “going shopping.”

• “how are you going?”

  • “how is it going? / how are you?

• “on holiday.”

  • “for vacation.”

Notes:

• “Boorda” is a word derived from the Aboriginal Noongar people of Southwestern Australia. This word came up at the end of my first exercise and sport psychologically tutorial at Murdoch Uni in Perth, Western Australia.