The Australian National Dictionary explains that the Australian usages of mate derive from the British word 'mate' meaning 'a habitual companion, an associate, fellow, comrade; a fellow-worker or partner', and that in British English it is now only in working-class use.
The word “mate” is very common in Australian and British English and can help you sound a lot more natural when speaking Englsih in these places. Although it's not used in American English, it is understood by English speakers all over the world.
Mate is used as a term of endearment, but also frequently used to casually ingratiate oneself with a stranger or new acquaintance. You might refer to a waiter or fellow bar fly using the word 'mate'. When used to address somebody or get their attention, the word mate is usually reserved for men only.
The Aussies say it more. The Brits perform it more ( it follows, with their bigger population. ) It's used widely in both countries between people of many different backgrounds. I'm originally from the UK but lived in Oz 15 years and have used it exactly the same amount in both countries.
In reference to the British, first attested in Australia in 1912 as rhyming slang for immigrant with additional reference to the likelihood of sunburn turning their skin pomegranate red.
It surely sounds strange to those who are familiar with American or British English, but it is a very common expression in Australia. G'day is a shortened form of 'Good Day' and it is the equivalent of 'Hello. ' Mate means friend or buddy and it can be used to address your friend or a total stranger.
“Cheers!”
Aussies use “cheers!” in a number of instances: to say thank you, in celebration, when drinking, and to say hello and goodbye. Get ready to hear “cheers mate!” a lot. No matter how strange sounding these Aussie slang terms are at first, you will inevitably adopt them in no time. Welcome to Straya!
The term "mate" is essentially gender neutral in Australia.
This applies almost in all cases except perhaps if you're a male and bump into a woman who is 'generationally' older than you.
It's a chant used when barracking (cheering on) a national sporting team, often followed by 'oi, oi, oi'. It's the equivalent of 'U-S-A, U-S-A' in the US. It's a good filler when there's not much going on with play and is an exuberant expression of Australian pride.
5. Sheila = Girl. Yes, that is the Australian slang for girl.
What is this? Mate and friend are interchangeable in Australia. And we will often refer to our friends as “a mate of mine” or “our mates”. Guys will have a boys night out with “their mates”.
bloke – man or guy
A stereotype of a typical Australian man: loves beer, sport and barbies. It's similar to “chap”or “fella”.
“Far Out” is said when you really can't believe something. 3. shocking.
It's "good evening", or the non-time specific "g'day". Contributor's comments: I grew up in Brisbane, and have never, heard 'Goodnight' as a greeting.
(UK, Australia slang, as a tag question) Contraction of isn't it. That's what I said, innit? (UK, Australia slang) Used as a replacement for any negative tag question, irrespective of person, number, and verb.
One of the first things you'll hear when in Australia, is the classic “G'day, mate”, which is basically the same as saying, “good day”, or “hello”. So feel free to use this one from day 1 and watch the smiles around you as people respond with, “g'day mate”, which means “hello, friend”.
While it isn't used that much in Australia these days nearly everyone here would recognise that the equivalent of a bloke, for a girl/women is a “sheila”. Here it's described by the Australian National University. A girl or woman. This word first appeared in Australian English in 1832 with the spelling shelah.
It really depends on the tone and who is asking. It can come off as rude or kind depending on how a person says it.
12. Crikey, blimey. Euphemisms used to communicate amazement or surprise.
John Do·ry ˈjän-ˈdȯr-ē plural John Dories. : a widely distributed marine food fish (Zeus faber of the family Zeidae) that is yellow to olive in color with a dark spot on each side and has an oval compressed body and long dorsal spines.
dunny – a toilet, the appliance or the room – especially one in a separate outside building. This word has the distinction of being the only word for a toilet which is not a euphemism of some kind. It is from the old English dunnykin: a container for dung. However Australians use the term toilet more often than dunny.