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.
A mate is a usually a co-worker, buddy or a spouse or lover, but sometimes it might be used to refer to recent acquaintance or even a stranger. But it implies some connection to you, and with that at least a modicum of respect. By itself, it is not disrespectful.
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.
2. sheila – woman or female.
This week we shine a spotlight on a quintessential piece of Aussie slang, a word famous the world over: sheila. A sheila is a woman. In use since the 1830s, sheila has its origin in a generic use of the common Irish girl's name.
Mate is the term used in BrE to refer to a friend (in the AmE sense) but may also be a cordial way of referring to another person whom you may or may not know. In AmE, one's mate is usually though of as one's significant other or romantic partner.
pal (informal) We've been pals for years. companion. He has been her constant companion for the last six years. buddy (informal)
mate Add to list Share. Someone's mate is their spouse, partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend. Your grandmother's long-term sweetheart is her mate.
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.
Bloody. Don't worry, it's not a violent word… it has nothing to do with “blood”.”Bloody” is a common word to give more emphasis to the sentence, mostly used as an exclamation of surprise. Something may be “bloody marvellous” or “bloody awful“. Having said that, British people do sometimes use it when expressing anger…
“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!
Pash (pash) / Kiss
An indelicate description of kissing passionately, hence the name. Pashing typically leads to two things: pash rash (red marks around the lips caused by excessive kissing), and/or rooting (the crass Australian term for the birds and the bees).
Mate. “Mate” is a popular word for friend. And while it's used in other English-speaking countries around the world, it has a special connection to Australia.
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.
Noun. old mate (plural old mates) (colloquial, Australia) An elderly man. We were sitting at the bar when old mate came and asked us for a cigarette. (colloquial, Australia, UK) In general, any person, whose specific identity can be deduced from context.
Mate (noun) So, 'mate' is British slang for a friend.
Bloody, as an adjective or adverb, is a commonly used expletive attributive in British English, Australian English, Irish English, Indian English and a number of other Commonwealth nations. It has been used as an intensive since at least the 1670s.
The person with whom one is mated in love; a lover or sweetheart.
Key Difference: Buddy is an informal way to refer to a male friend. Mate is a friend or a companion used as a friendly form of address between men or boys. People usually get confused about the usage of the words, buddy and mate. Both words are used to refer to a friend.
You can refer to someone's friends as their mates.
Missus. A person's wife or girlfriend. I'm taking the missus out for their birthday. Lisa McCarthy. Moggie.
Here in Australia, however, McDonald's most prevalent nickname is “Macca's”. A recent branding survey commissioned by McDonald's Australia found that 55 per cent of Australians refer to the company by its local slang name.