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The Mudcat Cafesj


Aussie Glossary

contains exact

Aussie English
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Aussie Words Definitions Comments
icy pole Popsicle, lollypop Ice block, where I came from
identity Celebrity  
iffy Doubtful, questionable  
illywacker A con man who preyed on the gullible at country shows/fairs  
in full feather In fine health  
in yer boot! An expression of disagreement (archaic)  
it's a goer Something that will definitely occur  
Jack Shay (Jack Shea) Quart pot, metal drinking vessel / container Rhymes (to the Irish) with tea (pot)
jack-in-the-box Person who can't sit still  
jackaroo A male station hand (a station is a big farm/grazing property) In station life, Jackaroo has long meant an Englishman getting 'colonial experience' (often not paid … but ate with the magager, not the men!) [Originally, ie very early colonial, it meant a white man living beyond the boundary of settlement - possibly Aboriginal word 'dhugai-iu', (Jagara)]
jillaroo A female station hand  
jingoes! Exclamation of wonder  
jocks Men's or boys' underpants  
Joe Blake Snake (rhyming)  
Joe Bloggs The average citizen  
joey Baby kangaroo, still in the pouch Originally baby possum - trans. to kangaroo, then any young marsupial … eventually comes to mean child!
johnny cake Small, thin, loaf of damper (bush bread) Trans. from US flat oat cake
journo Journalist  
jumbuck Sheep Probably an Aboriginal word for 'cloud' or 'mist' (a distant mob of sheep?)
jumped-up Full of self-importance; arrogant  
kanga or kangaroo Shoe  
keen as mustard Enthusiastic  
kelpie Australian sheepdog originally bred from Scottish collie Breed is descended from champion short-haired collie named 'Kelpie'
kerb Alternative Australian and British spelling of "curb"  
kerbside quiche Vomit  
kerfuffle Argument  
kero Kerosene  
kick To share or join in  
kick-in To provide your share  
kindie Kindergarten  
king brown Type of venomous snake or tall bottle of beer  
kip Sleep or nap  
kiwi New zealander  
knackered Worn out, rooted  
knackers Testicles (also love spuds, nuts, nads)  
knock To criticise  
knock back Refusal (noun), refuse (transitive verb)  
knocker One who criticises  
kombi Multi-purpose van-like vehicle, often modified so the back seats were folded dow  
koori Aborigine (mostly south of the Murray River) Also all of NSW (except for Yuin in south east) ... Murri -then Bama to north in Queensland - Yura, then Nunga to west, in South Australia
lair Layabout, hooligan  
lairise To behave in a vulgar, flamboyant manner  
lamb-brained Stupid  
lamington Sponge cake cut into squares, covered in chocolate and coconut  
larrikin Ruffian or hoodlum, but viewed with some admiration  
lay-by To put a deposit on an article so a shop will hold it  
licensed Legally permitted to sell alcoholic drinks  
like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge Lonely and vulnerable  
lingo The language  
lippy Lipstick  
liquid laugh Vomit  
lob, lob in Drop in to see someone ("the rellies have lobbed")  
lollies Candy or sweets  
lolly Money  
London to a brick Absolute certainty ("it's London to a brick that taxes won't go down")  
loo Lavatory or toilet English, 19th c. (Water)loo
lot The whole thing  
lubra Aboriginal woman Aboriginal word (se Tasmania) 'lubara'
lucky country, the Australia, where else?  
lurk Scheme, sometimes viewed with envy  
ma stater Resident of New South Wales  
mad Crazy (seldom means anger)  
Mallee Remote bushland of Victoria, low scrub  
manchester Household linen  
mate This usually means a friend but it can be used to talk about or to anyone - even  
mate's rate, mate's discount Cheaper than usual for a "friend"  
matey with Familiar or friendly with  
matilda The belongings of a swagman, wrapped in a blanket or bedroll  
meat safe Ventilated fly-proof cage for storing meat carcasses without refrigeration  
merino Breed of sheep with fine strands of fleece  
metho Methylated spirits Denatured alcohol/rubbing alcohol
Mexican A person from south of the (Queensland) border  
mickey mouse Excellent, very good  
middy 285 ml beer glass (New South Wales)  
milk bar Corner general store Not NSW usage - corner shop had to have milk licence, but a 'milk bar' was principally a (milk & soft) drink shop … almost = US "drug store"
milko Milkman  
mob Family or herd (?) of kangaroos / herd of sheep or cattle (transference ?)
mob Group of person or things (not necessarily unruly)  
moke Horse (not a good one!) Original meaning was donkey
mole (native) Platypus … to a Pom who isn't any sort of naturalist  
moleskin(s) Trousers of moleskin (untwilled cotton fustian fabric) Typical sailors' wear on British sailing ships
moll Girl(friend), disreputable girl, tart, Dona  
mongrel Despicable person  
mopoke Australian bird ninox novaeseelaniae - in the owl family, but more like a sturdy  
mozzie Mosquito  
muddy Mud crab (a great delicacy)  
mug Friendly insult ("have a go, yer mug"), gullible person  
mug One's face  
mull Grass (the kind you smoke)  
mull up Roll a joint and smoke it  
murphy Potato  
naff Ridiculous, useless  
nana Banana  
nark Spoilsport  
narked Annoyed  
naughty, have a Have sex  
neddies Horses  
Never Never The Outback, centre of Australia  
new chum New arrival or immigrant  
nick To steal  
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List Full Glossary

Many thanks to John in Brisbane for this concept and the initial data, and to Bob Bolton for additions and comments.