Aussie Speak: Part 6 - The Final Chapter

Australian Urban Dictionary

(aka Aussie speak for Yanks)

Part 6: Food for Thought

I know, I know… it’s been a supremely long time since I’ve updated the Urban Dictionary.  I thoroughly apologize for not posting a new installment sooner, and realize posting it now seems like an afterthought.  (Sorry!)  I actually had this prepared a couple of weeks ago, but then the Brisbane floods hit, and I thought my account of that experience should take precedence over a silly list of slang.  But, after being back in the States for a week, I’ve been reminded of how funny Aussie slang can be, and knew I couldn’t let this compilation go to waste.  I’m constantly reminded of how different our versions of English are, and have even caught myself slipping a little “Aussie speak” into casual conversation.  (Oops!)  As per usual, some of the terms are pretty obvious, but I find them hilarious, nonetheless.  I hope you’re continuing to enjoy this final insight into the Aussie vocabulary as much as I do!

·      brekky (brek ē) noun, slang: the first meal of the day

e.g. – I’m starving!  Let’s grab brekky at Mackers!

·      Mackers (mak (ə)rz) noun, slang: McDonald’s

e.g. – Oh bugger!  I just drove past Mackers!

·      tea (tē)  1) noun: a hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water, 2) noun: traditionally, a light, afternoon meal consisting of tea and cakes, but can also refer to any meal of the day

e.g. – 1) Would you like a cuppa tea, darl?, 2) Do you reckon I could go to afternoon tea a little early this arvo?

·      flat white (flat (h)wīt) noun: an espresso-based coffee drink, similar to a cappuccino

e.g. – G’day, mate! I’ll take a flat white, please.

·      long black (lô ng blak) noun: an espresso-based coffee drink, similar to an Americano, the closest thing to American-style coffee one can find in Australia

e.g. – You don’t have brewed coffee?  I reckon I’ll take a long black then, mate.

·      bicky (ˈbikē) noun, informal: a cookie or cracker; a biscuit

e.g. – Mmmm… I reckon we should have some bickies with our tea.

·      lollies (ˈlälēz) noun, informal: a sweet food made with sugar or syrup; candy

e.g. – I would really love some lollies right now.

·      popper (ˈpäpə) noun: a convenience beverage served in a box: i.e. a juice box

e.g. – Are you thirsty, darl?  Would you like a popper?

·      champers (ch amp äz ) noun, slang: a white, sparkling wine associated with celebration and regarded as a symbol of luxury; champagne

e.g. – Happy Birthday, mate!  Let’s have a glass of champers!

·      schooner (ˈskoōnä) noun: a tall beer glass, but smaller than a pint

e.g. – Hey, mate!  I’ll have a schooner of Toohey’s!  Ta!

·      capsicum (ˈkapsikəm) noun: a tropical American pepper plant of the nightshade family, with fruits containing many seeds: i.e. green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper, etc.

e.g. – I reckon I’ll take some capsicum on my sandwich.  Ta!

·      beetroot (bēt roōt) noun: a herbaceous plant widely cultivated as a source of food for humans, and for processing into sugar; i.e. a beet (Aussies are absolutely obsessed with beetroot, by the way.  They put it on everything!)

e.g. – I reckon I’ll have the Oz burger at Mackers today.  I love the beetroot!