Slanghandbook09 PDF

Talking about
health and illness

Australian slang handbook
2009 Edition
By Dr Anna Chur-Hansen and students

Copyright 1998 University of Adelaide Department of Psychiatry. Used with
permission.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may
be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the publisher. Inquiries
concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Publications Officer.
The 1998 version was contributed to in 2005 by Victoria Cheng, Alison Chew, Chen Kean Choy,
Sue Ann Loh, Kelvin Lye & Siew Lee Shu, and in 2006 by Vanessa Tee, Priya, Desmond Ong,
Chin Jong Khen and Chua Su Ling
This edition adapted with permission.
Adapted version published & printed by:

Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program
Lower Level, 183 Melbourne Street
NORTH ADELAIDE 5006
Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02
Adapted by: Senior Education Research Officer

Editor: Publications Officer
Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02 Page 2 of 34

Author: Dr Anna Chur-Hansen
Approved by: Medical Education Manager
Last updated: September 2009
CONTENTS
What is colloquial English? ............................................................................................................................... 2
Why is it important for GPs to know slang?.................................................................................................. 3
What can I do if someone uses informal language that I dont understand? ........................................ 4
A strategy for use in the clinical situation....................................................................................................... 4
What strategies are there for learning this sort of language? ................................................................... 5
What are some common slang words that a patient might use? ............................................................. 6
Index of Australian slang .................................................................................................................................... 1

WHAT IS COLLOQUIAL ENGLISH?
There are different styles of language that a person can use depending upon the situation they are
in. Sociolinguistics considers how language reflects not only the meaning of the words, but the
speakers relationship to the listener, and their age, gender, socio-economic background and so
on.
Elaborated versus restricted codes of language are important ways of identifying and thinking
about language use. That is, people who are well educated or well read might use longer, more
complex sentences and have a greater vocabulary at their disposal (elaborated code), as
compared to others, whose speech may be less varied (restricted code).
In Australia, most people use informal speech: slang, or colloquial English. Some people use it
more often than others, but most people use it, especially in informal situations, regardless of
whether their usual code is restricted or elaborated. Sociolinguistics shows us how some slang
belongs to certain age groups, or people with certain educational backgrounds, and so on.
Some Australian people use American slang, but certainly we have a great deal of slang and
informal speech that is unique to us and is not shared by other English speakers. The specific
form of English (with all of its slang included) used in Australia is referred to as Australian English.
Slang is shaped by the culture of the people, and its use is contextually dependent. Many things
that we say to each other have historical roots, or come from our environment, like sayings based
on references to the weather or animals or plants that are from here. Some slang is specific to a
particular state or to the country as opposed to the city, and so on. Informal speech makes it
difficult to learn a new language because it is often not written down anywhere; if it is written
down it is fairly meaningless if taken out of context.
Australian slang is often based on rude or vulgar words. However, the meaning may be quite the
opposite. To give an example, one man might say to another, you old bastard!. That would not
necessarily mean that the person was elderly, or had parents who were not married to each other.
If said with a smile or a slap on the back, it is a term of affection; if said in anger, it means that an
argument might be about to happen; if said with a sly grin it might mean that the person is
cunning or clever. Nonverbal communication used together with slang is often very important in
correctly interpreting what the slang words actually mean.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT
FOR GPs TO KNOW SLANG?
Doctors need to know a great deal of medical terminology that they use when communicating
effectively with the colleagues, and must be able to use the correct, educated, elaborated code
of English.
However, this way of speaking is not sufficient if it is the only way in which you know how to
speak. You need to be able to interact with Australian colleagues and reception staff, members of
the community, your teachers and mentors. If you speak very formally all the time, you may
discover that people dont warm to you. They may feel uncomfortable with your interaction. They
may also perceive that you dont understand what they are saying. Therefore, they might restrict
their language to a very basic, formal level in response to yours. This is not a good start in building
rapport between you and other people, and it is not good for the development of your language
skills because you wont get to hear everyday Australian English.
You also need to know slang because you have to talk to patients. You are expected to listen to
people, understand them, and be able to accommodate their language level. An important skill for
you as the doctor is the ability to engage this such language accommodation, to be able to
communicate with a patient so that they understand you; doing so will foster the relationship
between you.
A GP is expected not only to master the appropriate communication skills to be a doctor, such as
rapport, open-ended questions and so on, but also to have a level of English-language proficiency
that is adequate for their doctor-patient interactions. Your proficiency must encompass not only
technical jargon, but everyday, informal language as well. Patients will often use polite forms of
language with the doctor, but their vocabulary may sometimes be limited to slang. During times of
emotional distress, patients may revert to speech that they have learned earlier in life, or which
they commonly use in their everyday life. This will include slang.

WHAT CAN I DO IF SOMEONE
USES INFORMAL LANGUAGE THAT
I DONT UNDERSTAND?
There are probably thousands of examples of slang words. No one could possibly be expected to
know them all. People may well say things that dont seem to make sense to you. The big mistake
here is to pretend that you know what they are talking about when you are not sure.
Below are two strategies you can use when you dont understand:
1. Simply ask them what they mean. There is nothing at all wrong with doing this.
2. Use your knowledge of communications skills to summarise what they have said as you
understand it. That way, if you are mistaken they can tell you so.
A strategy for use in the clinical situation.
1. Ask the patient what they mean. Ensure that you use open ended questions, to facilitate
rapport and openness. For example, you might ask, Im not sure what you mean by that;
are you able to explain it for me? or, Im not familiar with that word/phrase, what does it
mean? Similarly, you could summarise what the patient has said as you have understood
it, so that they can tell you if you are mistaken.
2. Write down the word in a notebook dedicated to the purpose.
3. After the consult, or when you have a list of words, take your notebook with you to your
mentor, or someone who you trust, and ask them what it means.
4. Ensure you find out who would use the word/phrase;

what circumstances the word/phrase is used in; what
the word/phrase means; to whom the word/phrase
might be used.

WHAT STRATEGIES ARE THERE
FOR LEARNING THIS SORT OF
LANGUAGE?
You cannot learn a great deal about informal language from a book. The kind of approach to
language acquisition you need for informal or slang language is an active rather than a passive
one. Certainly you can look at the books for examples and for interest, and there are some books
that demonstrate informal Australian English very well, but real people and the spoken word is far
more valuable to you here.
So, what specifically can you do to gain some idea of our informal language?
1. Talk to people. Talk to your friends and colleagues. This is not as easily done as said,
but you will discover that usually the effort in overcoming your fear or nerves will be
repaid in many ways. You might find out that there are some people who are quite happy
to share their knowledge of informal language with you.
2. Participate actively in your community. If you have time, try to join a sporting club, or
a social club or organisation. Not only will it help you become part of your community, it is
a good way of finding out about how people speak in your immediate context. Other ways
you might find of doing this are by actively participating in activities that your childrens
school put together, or by going to the pub for a drink or a meal
3. Notice what people say. Keep an exercise book of words that you hear people, in your
immediate context and region, or in the media, which you dont understand. Then ask
someone what the words mean and write the meanings down next to them. Be sure to
find out what the term means, who would be most likely to use it, under what
circumstances, and to whom.
Keep building on the list, and eventually you will have a good resource of informal
language specific to your region. We encourage you to share them with other IMGs by
forwarding your lists to Adelaide to Outback; we will update the lists in the rear of this
handbook, so that the resource continues to be valid and useful.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON
SLANG WORDS THAT A PATIENT
MIGHT USE?
There are many different figures of speech that a patient might use to refer to body functions,
parts of their anatomy, their state of health, what they have been doing, and so on. Some common
ones are listed on the following pages.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive list by any means. It is meant to serve as a reference for you.
Add colloquialisms of your own where you find that they are not included here.
The index, which commences on the next page, will provide you with a list in alphabetical order,
which will help you to find the words and phrases that you need with ease.

INDEX OF AUSTRALIAN SLANG
This index is in alphabetical order by word and by phrase. Phrases are listed in their entirety, for
ease of reference.
Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes
Ace! Thats ace! Excellent, very good
Aliens Visited by aliens Menstruation (older)
Amber fluid Get some amber fluid into yer Beer (old fashioned, rural)
Ambo Hes an ambo Ambulance driver, paramedic
Ankle biters Ive got three ankle biters Young children
Got very angry.

Apeshit He went apeshit
Vulgar expression.
Arab Got an arab Dry mouth
Around the Mentally unwell/ unstable

She went round the bend
bend Used in the third person.
Arse On my arse (referring to arse) Vulgar term for bottom.
Hes a pain in the arse

Expression of annoyance or irritation.
Arse What a pain in the arse
Vulgar
Its a pain in the arse
B&S Bachelor and Spinsters ball, held in rural areas
Back of a long way away, up the back

A very long way away
bourke o bourke
Back out Ive put my back out I have a sore back
Back
Anus
passage
Bail up He bailed her up in the pub. To corner somebody
Balls My balls are itchy. Scrotum
Mentally unwell/ unstable.

Also can mean angry, depending on context of
Bananas He went bananas
nonverbal language
Used in the third person.
Bathroom Visit the bathroom Go to the toilet
Affected by drugs. Most commonly used to refer

Bent Im nice and bent
to marijuana
Berserk I went berserk Very angry
Better half This is my better half. Partner
Bingle She was in a bingle. Motor vehicle accident
Birds Birds are all the same. Women/ females. (old fashioned)
Bludger Shes a real bludger. Lazy person
Blue Im feeling blue Sad, depressed
There was a blue in the pub on

Blue Fight (rural)
Saturday night.
Bogans The place was full of bogans. White trash, people in low socioeconomic areas
Bollocks Scrotum (vulgar)
Boobs My boobs hurt. Breasts

Bottle-O It was in the bottle-o. Drive through bottle shop
Bound up Im a bit bound up Constipated (older people)
Boys/ girls
Visit the little boys room Bathroom/ toilet
room
Brekkie Breakfast
Bricks short
Hes two bricks short of a load Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
of a load
Youve got buckleys
Buckleys You know how many chances You dont have much chance
youve got dont yer? Buckleys
and none.
Why dont yer just bugger off out

Bugger off To leave/ go away (commonly used in irritation)
of it!
Buggered I feel buggered Tiredness
Bulldust Thats bulldust! Not true
Bum steer Ive been given a bum steer Misled
Disappointing.
Bummer What a bummer
Used by younger people.
Bun in the
Shes got a bun in the oven Pregnant
oven
Bushed Im bushed Tiredness
Bushed I was completely bushed Lost (mainly rural)
Anxiety, nervousness.
Butterflies Ive got butterflies in my stomach
Females probably say this more than males.

Cable Lay a cable Faeces
Cancer
I bought some cancer sticks Cigarettes (old fashioned) (mainly rural)
sticks
Carked it She carked it Died
Check it out Oh, check it out! Look (younger people)
Cheers Thanks
Women/ females. Most common among young

Chicks
people and surfers
Chip off the

Hes a real chip off the old block Child resembles the parent (old fashioned)
old block
Chook = chicken
Chook Like a chook with its head cut off
chook with its head cut off = flustered
Chook Old chook Mum/ wife
Chuck I chucked Vomit
Chunder I chundered all over the floor. Vomit (mostly younger people)
Clap Shes got the clap Gonorrhoea
Cloud 9 Shes on cloud 9 Very Happy
Cold day in It will be a cold day in hell when

Expression of strong defiance
hell I
Cold one Dyer wanna cold one? Beer

Abstain from using drink/ drugs, after having
Cold Turkey Go cold turkey used them in considerable quantities over a
period of time
Coldie I had a coldie. Beer
Sounds cool Good, okay, excellent.

Cool Oh, cool Can be combined with words like fun: ie, cool
Yeah, thats cool fun
Cotton
Gave me complete cotton mouth. Dry mouth
mouth
Counted
Shes counting sheep Sleeping/ fell asleep
sheep
Crack the
He cracked the whip Working hard
whip
I feel like crap

It was crap A general descriptor meaning bad (vulgar).
Crap
This is crap Also a vulgar term for faeces.
This tastes like crap
Mentally unwell.
Hes crazy Can sometimes mean angry depending on
Crazy
She went crazy context.
Crick I have a crick in my neck Sore neck
Crock What a crock! Not true
Crook I feel crook Unwell
Crook That tasted crook Bad
Curse Got the curse Menstruation (older)
Cut
[persons] The bugger cut Dicks lunch. Steal someones partner
lunch
Mentally unwell (old fashioned).

Cut snake Shes as mad as a cut snake

Angry, depending on context. (old fashioned).

Cut snake She was as mad as a cut snake
Dad Husband (older)
Daries Got any daries? Cigarettes (youth, rural)
Darts Got any darts? Cigarettes (rural)
Dead beat Im dead beat Tired
Dicky He has a dicky heart Doesnt work properly
Dill Oh, youre a dill! Silly
Dim A bit dim Lacking in intellect/a bit stupid
Ditzy Didnt think I was that ditzy Air-headed, silly, forgetful
Dodgy Thats dodgy Not very good quality
Dogs
dinner, done Im done like a dogs dinner Tiredness (old fashioned)
like a
Done and
All done and dusted Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned)
dusted
Done in Im done in Tiredness (old fashioned)
Doodle My doodle hurts. Penis (esp with children)
Doornail Dead as a doornail Dead

Down I feel down Sad, depressed
Downer Shes on a downer Sad, depressed
Disappointing.
Downer What a downer.
Things are going badly and will probably get

Downhill Its all downhill from here
worse. (old fashioned)
Oh you drongo!
Drongo Idiot
Im not a bloody drongo!
Dropped off I just dropped off Fell asleep
Abstain from using alcohol after consuming

Dry out I need to dry out
quite a bit over a period of time.
Silly (usually to young children who hurt

Duffer Youre a duffer!
themselves in a minor way)
Dugans I had a dugan Cigarettes (younger people)
Dumps Im down in the dumps Sad, depressed.
Elbow Work hard

Just needs a bit of elbow grease
grease Hard work (eg scrubbing)
Fags I bought some fags Cigarettes
Fair to
Im fair to middling Feeling alright (old fashioned)
middling
Fart Pissed as a fart Drunk
Fart She farted Pass flatulence

Overweight. Insulting when directed at

Fat as a pig Im fat as a pig.
someone.
Fatso What a fatso! Overweight. Insulting when directed at someone
Fish out of
I felt like a fish out of water Alien or out of place
water
Fit as a
Im fit as a fiddle Feeling good/ fit/ well
fiddle
Flat as a
She seemed flat as a tack Sad, depressed. Can also mean tired.
tack
Flat strap Working flat strap Working hard
Forty winks Shes having forty winks Sleeping
Frog I have a frog in my throat Sore throat that affects the voice
Front
Problem with the front passage Trouble with urinary tract, usually passing urine
passage
Mentally unwell/ unstable

Full packet Not the full packet
Intellectual disability. Less often it is used to

Full quid Hes not the full quid mean mentally unwell/ unstable
Mentally unwell/ unstable

Ga-ga Shes gone ga-ga
Galah Youre a galah! Silly (rural)
Gammy She has a gammy leg Immobile, damaged, painful (old fashioned)
Gander Have a gander Look (older people)

Glad rags Get your glad rags on Dressed up
Goog Egg
Full as a goog Im full as a goog Overeat
Hair brained Shes bloody hair-brained Silly
Hairy-arsed Running around like a hairy- Flustered (vulgar).

goat arsed goat Mainly used in rural areas.
Mentally unwell
Hatter Mad as a hatter
Head down,
Working hard
bum up
Things went a bit crazy; people got angry.

Hell broke
All hell broke loose! Not used to refer directly to people or things.
loose
Hell for
She was going hell for leather Very fast
leather
Hell for
Working hard
leather
High High as a kite Affected by drugs
Home and
Its home and hosed Finished
hosed
Hoons rough people
How are you Greeting; return reply is good thanks, not

going? bad, and you, how are you?
Hubbie/Hubby Husband

Hungries Lets go to Hungries Hungry Jacks (urban)
Hurl Ooh, he hurled Vomit
Iffy Feeling iffy Unwell
Iffy Its a bit iffy Uncertain
In a bind In a difficult situation (old fashioned)
In a spot In a difficult situation (old fashioned)
Itchy bits Ive got itchy bits, doc Itchy genitals

Jubba What a jubba!
someone.
Kicked the He kicked the bucket the other

Died
bucket day
Kids Children
Knackered Im knackered Tiredness
Hes knocked her up

Knocked up Pregnant
Shes knocked up
Legless He was legless Drunk
Lights are
on but no- Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
ones home
Like a
She smokes like a chimney Heavy smoke
chimney

Like a fish She drinks like a fish Drinks a lot of alcohol, alcoholic
Like a light Out like a light Fall asleep
Like a train He smokes like a train Heavy smoker
Little woman This is my little woman Wife (older)
Take a load off

Load Sit down
Take a load off your feet
Loo Im going to the loo. Toilet
Mentally unwell
Loopy Shes loopy
Lord Drunk as a lord Drunk (old fashioned)
Lost it She got upset and lost it Angry, very angry
Angry. Also mentally unwell/ unstable,

Lost the plot He lost the plot depending on full context of use
Lousy Im feeling lousy Very unwell
Lousy Thats lousy! Awful
Lousy This food tastes lousy Awful
Lurgey Ive got the lurgey An illness going around at the time
Maccas Lets go to maccas McDonalds take away

Make
yourself Go on, make yourself scarce. To leave/ go away
scarce
Mental Chuck a mental Got very angry. Usually used by younger people.
Shes mental Intellectual disability. Derogatory term, used as

Mental
Youre mental. an insult, mainly by younger people.
Missus Gotta ask the missus Wife/ female partner
Monthlies Ive got my monthlies Menstruation/ menstruating. Older people.
Mother Wife (older)
Mr Wobbly Penis
Newt Pissed as a newt Drunk
Nick off She nicked off! To leave
Nick off Why dont you just nick off! Go away (used in argument)
Nodded off He nodded off! Fell asleep
Head. Often used to describe ones head (older

Noggin Watch your noggin!
people), or in speaking to children
Nose to the
Working hard
grindstone
Number one Urine (esp used with children)
Number Two Faeces (esp used with children)

Mentally unwell
Nuts Hes nuts
Nuts Oooh me nuts! testicles
Off Im feeling a bit off Unwell
Off colour I feel off colour Unwell
Off his head He was totally off his head Affected by drugs
Off my face I was completely off my face. Affected by alcohol or drugs
Off the
He was off the planet Affected by drugs
planet
The old fella hasnt been quite up

Old fella Penis
to it lately.
Husband (older people)

Old man
Dad (younger people)
One-eyed
trouser Penis
snake
Other half This is my other half. Partner
Out of it I was out of it Affected by drugs/ drink
Over and
Its all over and done with Finished
done with
Over the
Im over the moon Very Happy
moon
Paint the
Go out and get drunk
town red

Pale as a Im/ he/ she is/ was pale as a Someone looked unwell or, depending on
ghost ghost context
Pass gas She passed gas Flatulence
Pass water Urinate (old fashioned)
Pass wind Pass flatulence
Passed
She passed away Died
away
Pee Urine
Percy Penis
Menstruation/ menstruating. Very common in all

Periods Ive got my periods
ages.
Pew Pull up a pew Sit down
PFO Pissed and fell over Drunk
Pins and Ive got pins and needles in my Tingling/numbness in the limbs. Used by
needles finger! absolutely everybody.
Piss Urine or alcohol (depending on context)
To leave/ go away (vulgar; commonly used in

Piss off
irritation)
Pissed He was pissed! Drunk (vulgar)
Pissed I was so pissed! Angry (younger people) (vulgar)

Plastered I was plastered Drunk
Gambling machines/ place where people use

Pokies She spends all day in the pokies.
gambling machines (short for poker machines)
Poo Faeces
Pop I popped! Pass flatulence (esp with children)
Pop off I popped off! Pass flatulence (esp with young children)

Porker Hes a porker.
someone.

Porky Shes porky.
someone.
Powder my If youll excuse me, I just need to

Urinate (old fashioned)
nose powder my nose.
Preggers I dont want to get preggers Pregnant
Prezzie Thanks for the prezzie! Present
Pub Im going down the pub. Hotel (everyone)
Puke Oh yuk, she puked! Vomit
Pull your Well, you just need to pull your

Work hard
finger out finger out.
Quack Doctor
Have many children. Often used in a derogatory

Rabbits They breed like rabbits
sense, as in Australia the rabbit is a pest.

Got your rags Menstruating/ menstruation.
Rags On my rags Considered vulgar by some, but is very common
Got my rags among lots of ages in rural areas.
Very happy, very impressed. Mainly used by
Im rapt
Rapt younger people but can be used by people up to
Shes rapt
the age of 55.
Innocence.
Dont come the raw prawn with It means that you shouldnt lie to the person (old
Raw prawn
me! fashioned)
Used more in rural areas
Red flag The red flags flying Menstruation (older)
Red herring Misled
Riff-raff rough people
Rocket
Shes not a rocket scientist Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
scientist
Rollies Have you got any rollies? Roll-your-own cigarettes
Rooted Im rooted Tiredness
Rooted He rooted her He had sex with her
Tiredness or having had sex, depending on other

Rooted I was rooted
context.
Rug rats Children
Run down Ive been feeling run down Unwell and tired
Runs Ive got the runs Diarrhoea
Sandwich
short of a Hes a sandwich short of a picnic. Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
picnic

Scatter- Gee, youre a bit scatter-brained

Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
brained today.
Scone On me scone Head.
Screamed
Got very angry and yelled a lot.
the place She screamed the place down
Usually used in the third person.
down
Mentally unwell/ unstable. Used in the third

Screw loose Shes got a screw loose
person
Seedy Im feeling seedy Unwell
Seedy Im feeling seedy Hungover, depending on the context.
Shag on a
I felt like a shag on a rock Alien or out of place (old fashioned)
rock
Women/ females a very Australian term.

Sheila Shes not a bad sheila.
Mostly rural.
I feel like shit

Shit It was shit A general descriptor meaning bad (vulgar)
This is shit
I feel shithouse
Generally means bad; in terms of health it
Shithouse It was shithouse
means unwell. (vulgar)
That is shithouse
It gives me the shits Expression of annoyance or irritation.

Shits
He gives me the shits Vulgar
Shits Ive got the shits Diarrhoea
Shoot
She just shot through To leave
through
Shrink Psychiatrist
Sick as a
I am sick as a dog Very unwell
dog

Take a sickie Didnt go to work because of illness or

Sickie
Chuck a sickie pretended illness (most common is the latter)
Six foot
Shes six foot under Dead
under
Skunk Drunk as a skunk Drunk (old fashioned)
Slingshot Bra (older people)
Smashed She was smashed Affected by alcohol or drugs
Smoke-O I noticed it on smoke-o. Break, like morning tea
Snag Do you want a snag? Sausage
Snag short
Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid
of a barbie
Snooze Im going to have a snooze Sleep
Snuffed it He snuffed it Died
Sore thumb She stuck out like a sore thumb Alien or out of place
So-so Im so-so Feeling alright
Its all gone south Things are going badly and will probably get
South
Its all south from here worse (old fashioned)
Intellectual disability OR affected by drugs,

Spaced out Shes spaced out
depending on context
Spend a
I need to go spend a penny. Urine/ go to the toilet (old fashioned, rural)
penny

Im gonna spew
Spew Vomit.
I spewed
Angry.
Spewing She was spewing
Angry, or jealous, depending on context.

Spewing Im spewing about it!
Splitting
I have a splitting head Headache
head
Sprog There was sprog all over the floor! Semen
Spun me out It totally spun me out Amazed (younger)
Spun out I was completely spun out Affected by drugs
Squiz Have a squiz Look
Squizzum Dyer wanna have a squizzum? Look (old fashioned)
Stage Just a stage hes going through Adolescence
Stiff as a
Im as stiff as a board Have stiff or aching muscles.
board
Very happy or very impressed. Younger persons

Stoked Im stoked!
expression.
Affected by drugs; most commonly used to refer

Stoned Im stoned
to marijuana
Stuffed Im stuffed Tiredness
Stuffed I totally stuffed myself

Overeat
myself Im stuffed

Stuffed up She stuffed up her knee Injured
Tacker Little tacker Children/ young children
Tailors I dont smoke tailors Ready-made cigarettes
Dont be a tard! Person with severe physical or intellectual

Tard
Mum, is he a tard? disability. Insulting.
Tea Do you wanna come over for tea? Dinner, evening meal
Technicolour
Vomit (older)
yawn
Thongs I was wearing thongs. Cheap rubber backless sandals
Throw up Im gonna throw up. Vomit
Ticker The old ticker Heart. Used more often by older people.
Overconfident/ arrogant
Shes got tickets on herself
Tickets Used in the third person
Hes got tickets
Can be used as an insult.
Tight She was pretty tight Drunk (old fashioned)
Tinnie I had about six tinnies. Can of beer
Tip-top Im in tip-top shape Good/ fit/ well
Tits My tits feel weird. Breasts
Toot (sound
Just goin to the toot! Toilet
like book)

Top of the
Im on top of the world Very happy
world
Trolley Off his trolley Drunk (old fashioned)
Trolley Off his trolley Mentally unwell
Trots Ive got the trots Diarrhoea (older people)
Trouble Ive had a bit of trouble down

Problem with genitals
down there there.
Oi! Tubby! Overweight.

Tubby
Im a bit tubby. Insult when directed at someone.
Tucker I think the tucker was bad. Food
Tuckered Im all tuckered out

Tiredness (old fashioned or to children)
out I was tuckered out
Tummy My tummys sore. Stomach
Turd He did a turd. Faeces (by children/ younger people)
Two bob
Hes two bob short Lacking in intellect/ a bit stupid (old fashioned)
short
Under the
Sweep it under the carpet Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned)
carpet
Under the
Its all under the table Deliberately forget about things. (old fashioned).
table
Under the
It was done under the table Not in accordance with the rules
table
Under the Im under the weather

Unwell
weather I feel a bit under the weather

Underdaks My underdaks feel too tight. Underpants
Undies My undies feel too tight. Underpants
Thats unreal!
Unreal Oh, unreal! Excellent, very good
I had an unreal time
Overconfident/ arrogant.
Up him/her- Hes up himself
self Shes up himself
Can be used as an insult.
Up shit We were really up shit creek
creek
In a difficult situation (vulgar)
[without a He was up shit creek without a
paddle] paddle
Up the creek Now were up the creek! In a difficult situation
Up the duff Shes up the duff again Pregnant (younger, low socioeconomic)
Up the spout Shes up the spout Pregnant
Vamoose Lets vamoose! To leave
Person with severe physical or intellectual

Vegetable Poor kids a vegetable now.
disability. Insulting.
Person with severe physical or intellectual

Veggie Mum, hes a vegie!
disability. Insulting.
Visitor Ive got the visitor Menstruation (older)
I wagged
Wag Miss school illegally
I wagged it
Wally Youre a wally! Silly
She was wasted

Wasted Affected by drugs and/or alcohol (younger)
I was wasted

Heading down to the waterhole

Waterhole Hotel (older)
after work.
Watering Heading down to the watering

Hotel (older)
hole hole after work.
Seems to be a problem with the

Waterworks Urine/ urination (older people)
waterworks.
Wee I need to wee all the time. Urine
Wee wee Urine (esp used with children)
Whacked He was whacked Affected by drugs
She keeps whingeing about her

Whinge To complain
sore finger.
White balls
He stuck out like white balls on a Alien or out of place (vulgar)
on a black
black dog (rural)
dog
Thats wicked!
Wicked Oh, wicked! Excellent, very good
I had a wicked time
Wild goose
Shes gone on a wild goose chase Misled
chase
Wired to the
Completely wired to the ground. Affected by drugs, specifically marijuana
ground
With child Shes with child Pregnant (old fashioned)
Got angry.
Wobbly He chucked a wobbly
Used by/ to younger people.
Ive got a wog

Unidentified minor illness, like flu
Ive had a wog
Wog Illness that lasted a day
Twenty-four hour wog
Caught a minor illness
I caught a wog
Wonky I feel wonky Unwell, dizzy

Wonky Thats wonky Crooked
Woozy I feel woozy Unwell, dizzy, lightheaded
Work like a
Work hard
dog
Wrong end No, youve got the wrong end of

Misled, misunderstood
of the stick the stick
Yobbo rough people
Other resources and lists of words you mind find useful include:
Hunt, Ken. 1993. The Xenophobes Guide to the Aussie. Ravette Books: Sussex.
Lambast, J (ed). 2000. Macquarie Book of Slang; Australian Slang in the Noughties. Macquarie
University Press: Sydney.
Australian slang at www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html


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Talking about

health and illness

By Dr Anna Chur-Hansen and students

This edition adapted with permission.

Adapted version published & printed by:

Adapted by: Senior Education Research Officer

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A strategy for use in the clinical situation.

2. Write down the word in a notebook dedicated to the purpose.

4. Ensure you find out who would use the word/phrase;

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Word Context of Use Meaning/ other notes

Ace! Thats ace! Excellent, very good

Aliens Visited by aliens Menstruation (older)

Ambo Hes an ambo Ambulance driver, paramedic

Ankle biters Ive got three ankle biters Young children

Got very angry.

Arab Got an arab Dry mouth

Around the Mentally unwell/ unstable

Arse On my arse (referring to arse) Vulgar term for bottom.

Hes a pain in the arse

B&S Bachelor and Spinsters ball, held in rural areas

Back of a long way away, up the back

Back out Ive put my back out I have a sore back

Bail up He bailed her up in the pub. To corner somebody

Balls My balls are itchy. Scrotum

Mentally unwell/ unstable.

Bathroom Visit the bathroom Go to the toilet

Affected by drugs. Most commonly used to refer

Berserk I went berserk Very angry

Better half This is my better half. Partner

Bingle She was in a bingle. Motor vehicle accident

Bludger Shes a real bludger. Lazy person

Blue Im feeling blue Sad, depressed

There was a blue in the pub on

Bollocks Scrotum (vulgar)

Boobs My boobs hurt. Breasts

Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02 Page 2 of 34

Bottle-O It was in the bottle-o. Drive through bottle shop

Bound up Im a bit bound up Constipated (older people)

Youve got buckleys

Why dont yer just bugger off out

Buggered I feel buggered Tiredness

Bulldust Thats bulldust! Not true

Bum steer Ive been given a bum steer Misled

Bushed Im bushed Tiredness

Bushed I was completely bushed Lost (mainly rural)

Document: A2O-ED-IG-RE-0004-02 Page 3 of 34

Cable Lay a cable Faeces

Carked it She carked it Died

Check it out Oh, check it out! Look (younger people)

Women/ females. Most common among young

Chip off the

Chook Old chook Mum/ wife

Chuck I chucked Vomit

Clap Shes got the clap Gonorrhoea

Cloud 9 Shes on cloud 9 Very Happy

Cold day in It will be a cold day in hell when