How to Speak Australian

Before I came to Australia, I considered myself a native English speaker. But as it turns out and as my friends are constantly reminding me, I speak American, not "proper English." The English spoken in Australia tends to favor the vocabulary and spelling used in the UK. The Aussie lingo is full of slang words and abbreviations. If a word can be shortened or given a nickname, the Aussies have found a way to do it. So to help my fellow Americans traveling down under, I've created this short guide to understanding the Australian language:

Ambo- ambulance

Arvo- afternoon

Barbie- barbecue

Bikkie- biscuit (cookie) 

Bin- trashcan, garbage can

Bottle'o, bottle shop- liquor store

Brekkie- breakfast

Brickies- brick laying professionals

Bushwalking- hiking, trekking

Capsicum- bell pepper

Car park- parking lot

Chrissy- Christmas

Chokkie- chocolate

Cockie- cockroach, or cockatoo

Cozzie- swimming costume (swimsuit)

Cuppa- cup of tea

Diary- planner, calendar

Esky- portable insulated cooler

Fairy floss- cotton candy

Footpath- sidewalk

Footy- Aussie Rules Football

Garbo- garbage collector

G'day- hello

Good on ya- well done, good for you

Heaps- a lot, really (That's heaps good; He earned heaps of money.)

Jackaroo- male ranch hand or cattle station manager

Jillaroo- female ranch hand or cattle station manager

Jumper- sweater

Kindie- kindergarten

Knickers- panties, underwear

Lift- elevator

Lollies- candy, sweets

Maccas- McDonald's

Mate- a friend, pal

Mozzie- mosquito

Nappy- diaper

No worries- no problem, I've got it

Op shop- opportunity shop (charity, thrift or secondhand store)

Pav- pavlova (a creamy dessert)

Petrol- gasoline, fuel

Pom, pommie- an Englishman

Postie- postman, mailman

Pram- stroller

Rello, rellie- relative

Rocket- arugula 

Salvos- Salvation Army

Seppo- an American (slang derogatory term derived from septic tank which rhymes with yank)

Shout- a turn or round (I bought the last round of drinks, so it's your shout.)

Singlet- cami, tank top

Sultanas- raisins

Tea time- supper, dinner

Ta- thanks

Thongs- flip-flops

Tomato sauce- ketchup

Trackies- tracksuit

Tradies- tradesmen, trade laborers

Uni- university

Wettie- wetsuit

What's on?- What's happening or playing? (in term of events, movies, & entertainment)

Zebra crossing- crosswalk
Yank- an American