Why Do Aussies Use So Many Abbreviations? Nenagh Kemp, a psychologist at the University of Tasmania, told Australian Geographic her theories behind why Australians use these shortened words so often. Her theory is that Australians use them as a way of coming across as more friendly and less pretentious.
Linguist Anna Wierzbicka argues that Australians' use of diminutives reflects Australian cultural values of mateship, friendliness, informality, and solidarity, while downplaying formality and avoiding bragging associated with tall poppy syndrome.
Australians sure do like those brekkies, barbies, and mozzies. We're not talking about "actual" mozzies here. We're defo (definitely) talking about words — and Aussies can't seem to get enough of these shortened words. Some say we're lazy for clipping them.
O's and Ee's – The Suffixes of Slang
Arvo: Meaning 'afternoon'. The initial arv sound in 'afternoon' is abbreviated and an 'o' is added to round off this colloquialism.
For most Australian English speakers, the '-ie' suffix is a natural part of the language. Unlike similar diminutives in international English, for example 'birdie' or 'doggie', the '-ie' suffix in Australian English serves as a marker of informality – providing speakers with a shared code of familiarity and solidarity.
Meaning 'thank you', ta is usually used for the times when you are in a rush or want to send a quick text to show your appreciation for something.
In the course of conversation the tag "eh" is often used merely to check that the person you are talking to is listening and following what you are saying. A mere prefunctory "Yeah" is all that is required in response. Thus the questioning force of "eh" is reduced.
Contributor's comments: "But" at the end of a sentence is used in Sydney where it is the same as putting "but" at the beginning of a sentence. Thus "But I didn't do it!" is the same as saying "I didn't do it, but!"
Am also enjoying the abbreviate-everything Aussie slang. Exxy = expensive Dimmies = dim sum Goey = Meth/speed.
Strewth! A common word that Aussies use to express surprise, exclamation or disappointment. Similar to saying, “oh my god!”, for example. The more you use it, the more familiar you'll become with it.
6. Tinnies = Cans of Beer. But the Australian slang for beer is amber fluid. Some states call it a pint and at others, it is a schooner.
These two words have the same meaning, with the only difference being in the places where the words are used. The term 'petrol' is used in UK, Australia, India and a few other places, while 'gasoline' or 'gas for short' is used in the United States.
' As a nation the Australians rarely use polysyllables when one will do and so pom became the pejorative name for a newly-arrived British immigrant. The Anzac Book of 1916 supported this theory, attributing 'Pom' as an abbreviation of pomegranate.
Why do Australians call sweets “lollies”, even when they have no sticks? According to British English from A to Zed by Norman Schur (Harper, 1991) “lolly” derives onomatopoetically for the mouth sounds associated with sucking or licking. The word “lollipop” came later.
Mate. “Mate” is a popular word for friend.
Contributor's comments: "Tilly" is an nickname members of the Defence Force (Army) use to describe the Tracked Load Carrier (TLC).
3. bloke – man or guy. A stereotype of a typical Australian man: loves beer, sport and barbies. It's similar to “chap”or “fella”.
A Cracker, Australian slang for climate change denial or personal inaction on climate change.
While some Australian speakers would pronounce “no” as a diphthong, starting on “oh” as in dog and ending on “oo” as in put, others begin with an unstressed “a” (the sound at the end of the word “sofa”), then move to the “oh” and then “oo”.
Yeah nah yeah = yes.
Aussie Word of the Week
No worries, perhaps the most easygoing piece of Aussie Slang, has been part of our lexicon since the 1960s. Initially a way of saying, 'I'm good,' no worries has evolved into an expression of thanks, as in 'Don't mention it!'