Slang is what? When do you use slang, exactly?

Slang mean and when use
Slang is described as “unconventional words or phrases that express either something new or something old in a new way” by the Encyclopaedia Britannicaexternal icon. It is irreverent, flippant, and impolite; it could even be lewd or obscene. a little bit perplexing, yes? The very informal language or particular terms used by a group of individuals are hence how we describe slang. Slang is typically used in spoken language. Additionally, you can find it on social media or in SMS. Slang is not permitted in official writing, though.
When you study English, you are shown how to use ‘correct’ English in your writing and speaking. Some refer to this as “BBC English” or “Queen’s English.” Then, when you visit a country where the language is spoken, you can encounter words you’ve never heard before.
When used correctly (and in the right context), slang can help non-native English speakers sound more natural in their speech. Additionally, it might demonstrate your command of social English. For instance, it’s okay to use slang with your mates (friends). However, if the dialogue is more professional, you should probably refrain from using slang terms.
Therefore, make an effort to accurately employ slang, just like a native speaker. It sounds weird and may indicate that you don’t grasp the language if you use it improperly or out of context. Here are the top 100 slang terms and expressions used in Australia.
Slang for Australia: 100 Words & Phrases
Aussie slang word/phrase | Meaning |
---|---|
A Cold One | Beer |
Arvo | Afternoon |
Aussie Salute | Wave to scare the flies |
Avo | Avocado |
Bail | To cancel plans |
Barbie | Barbecue |
Bathers | Swimsuit |
Beauty | Great! |
Billabong | A pond in a dry riverbed |
Billy | Teapot (in the outback on the fire) |
Bloody | Very |
Bloody oath | Yes! Or “That’s very true” |
Bludger | Someone who’s lazy |
Bogan | Someone who’s not very sophisticated |
Booze Bus | Police vehicle used to catch drunk drivers |
Bottle-O | Liquor shop: a place to buy alcohol |
Brekky | Breakfast |
Brolly | Umbrella |
Budgie Smugglers | Speedos |
Bush | “Out in the bush” or away from civilisation |
Choc A Bloc | Full |
Biccy | Biscuit |
Chook | Chicken |
Chrissie | Christmas |
Cobber | Very good friend |
Coldie | Beer |
Coppers | Policemen |
Crikey | an expression of surprise |
Crook | Being ill (I’m crook); a criminal (he’s a crook) |
Dag | Someone who’s a bit of a nerd or geek |
Daks | Trousers |
Deadset | That’s true, or true! |
Defo | Definitely |
Devo | Devastated |
Drongo | a Fool, ‘Don’t be a drongo mate’ |
Dunny | Toilet |
Durry | Cigarette |
Esky | An insulated container that keeps things cold |
Facey | |
Fair Dinkum | Honestly? Or, Yes honestly! |
Flannie / Flanno | flannelette shirt |
Flat out | Really busy |
Footy | Football (AFL / Aussie Rules) |
G’day | Hello |
Galah | Not being bright, also a stupid person |
Gnarly | Awesome |
Going off | Busy, lots of people |
Good On Ya | Good work |
Goon | Wine in a box |
Hard yakka | Hard work |
Heaps | Loads, lots, many |
Hoon | Hooligan or a very bad driver |
Iffy | Bit risky or unreasonable |
Knickers | Female underwear |
Lappy | Laptop |
Larrikin | Someone who’s always up for a laugh |
Lollies | Sweets |
Maccas | McDonalds |
Manchester | Sheets / Linen etc |
Mate | Friend |
Mozzie | Mosquito |
No Drama | No problem / it’s ok |
No Worries | No problem / it’s ok |
No Wucka’s | A truly Aussie way to say ‘no worries’ |
Outback | The interior of Australia. Even more remote than “the bush” |
Pash | To kiss |
Pissed Off | An offensive/vulgar way of saying you are very annoyed |
Piss Up | A party, a get together and in Australia |
Pissed | Intoxicated, Drunk |
Piss Off | An offensive way to tell someone to go away or get lost. |
Rack Off | The less offensive way to tell someone to go away or get lost. |
Reckon | For sure |
Rellie / Rello | Relatives |
Ripper | ‘You little ripper’ = That’s fantastic! |
Rooted | Tired or Broken |
Runners | Trainers, Sneakers |
Sanger | Sandwich |
Servo | Service Station / Garage |
Sheila | A woman |
Sick | Awesome; ‘that’s really sick mate’ |
Sickie | A sick day off work |
Slab | A carton of beers |
Snag | Sausage |
Stoked | Happy, Pleased |
Straya | Australia |
Stubby | A bottle of beer |
Stuffed | Tired |
Sunnies | Sunglasses |
Swag | Single bed you can roll up, a bit like a sleeping bag |
Tea | Dinner |
Tinny | Can of beer or small boat |
Thongs | Flip Flops |
True Blue | Genuinely Australian |
Tucker | Food |
Two Up | A gambling game played on Anzac day |
U-IE | To take a U-Turn when driving |
Up yourself | Stuck up |
Woop Woop | Middle of nowhere “he lives out woop woop” |
Ya | You |
Australian slang being used in a phrase
You’ll be well on your way to understanding your Australian friends once you’ve read the list of the most popular Australian slang phrases, or “true-blue Aussie slang.” Check out the following samples if you want to know how to use slang correctly.
What does the phrase “No worries” mean?
‘No concerns’ is one of the most well-known Australian slang expressions, so let’s start there. It is purported to be Australia’s national anthem. It’s okay or don’t worry about it, according to this expression. Additionally, it denotes “sure thing” and “you’re welcome.” So, if you run into someone on the subway and apologize, they might say “no worries,” which means “it’s all right.” Just remember that the term “no worry” is not used in English.
What distinguishes “Bush”, “Outback” and “Woop Woop”?
Australia is enormous. And by big, we mean that it is the sixth-largest nation on earth. However, the majority of Australians reside around the coast. In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, which are located on the eastern and southern coasts, more than 85% of Australia’s 25 million people reside. When people talk about the “outback,” they’re referring to the vast, sparsely populated/uninhabited territory in the middle of the Australian continent. What distinguishes the “bush” from the “outback” then? The distinction between the outback and the bush is that the outback is often Australia’s most isolated and desolate regions. The bush is in the opposite direction of the city, toward the outback. Typically, it’s a place with natural plants, undergrowth, and forests. You would then travel by car into the country and outback from the city. That’s clear? How about “woop woop” now? When you say “he lives out woop woop,” you are referring to his location, which is typically far distant and remote.
Alcoholic beverages: from a “coldie” to the “booze bus”
There are a few slang terms and expressions related to consuming alcohol on the list of 100 Australian slang words and phrases. Now you know what Australians mean when they say, “Let’s grab a slab from the bottle-o later.” A “slab” is a container, typically a box, of beer. This is available from a liquor store, sometimes known as a bottle shop or “bottle-o” by Australians. Be cautious not to consume alcohol and operate a motor vehicle. You don’t want to get pulled over by a Booze vehicle, a specially constructed police vehicle used to look for drunk drivers on the road since Australian police are particularly severe about it.
Genuine Australians on Straya Day
Australia has a lengthy past that goes back about 65,000 years. Every year on January 26, Australians observe Straya Day (Straya is the abbreviation for Australia because many Australians pronounce Australia this way). Australia Day is the country’s official holiday, on which we honor all the things we cherish about it, including our people in particular but also the land, our way of life, our democracy, and our sense of fair play. On Straya Day, the majority of people gather with their friends or relos to cook traditional Aussie food—snags on the barbecue. Confused? Let’s look at that phrase: Most people gather with their family or friends on Australia Day to cook a traditional Australian dish—sausages on a barbecue.
Slang terms used abroad
The top 100 Australian slang words and phrases are displayed for you. What about globally popular slang terms, though? Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, and even non-English speaking nations utilize some of these new international slang terms.
Releated: What does a “slender” in Roblox mean?
Over time, slang words and phrases evolveexternal symbol. Some disappear because their use has been discontinued. Others aren’t used since individuals switch to an other slang term. Slang phrases can occasionally become so ubiquitous that they are incorporated into formal language. Thus, language develops and changes over time in that manner. The dictionary is expanded with new terms. New ones appear while the old ones vanish. What new slang phrases might we expect in 2019 and 2020? Let’s investigate them.
Idioms and jargon are acceptable in the IELTS Writing and Speaking tests.
It is intended that the IELTS Speaking test would simulate a typical conversation between two people. Delicate wording should therefore be avoided. For instance, you wouldn’t typically use the words “furthermore” or “moreover” in casual chats. You should usually avoid using language that is too informal, though. If you tell your examiner, “My friend threw me some shade,” he or she might not grasp what you mean. Some language is probably too informal.
If you demonstrate the ability to employ idiomatic terms well, you can obtain a higher IELTS band score. However, you should probably stick to widely used idioms. With our Idioms A-Z, we’ve included a few lists that can be useful: Explained.