How often have you heard your elders grumble about the infiltration of Americanisms into the Australian vocabulary? While it’s true that terms such as ‘cobber’ and ‘mate’ are slowly being replaced by the impersonal and nondescript ‘buddy’, ‘dude’ or ‘bro’, it’s also true that language is a living thing that will continue to morph and change long after you and I are both ancient history.
Indigenous languages all around the globe are being lost faster than they can be documented. Even in Western societies, unique phrases and terms are disappearing as young people fall prey to the language used in popular US TV shows or social media.
Although I prefer to avoid even the slightest whiff of rampant nationalism, I do believe that a country’s language is an intrinsic part of its identity.
The history of Australian slang is one with many chapters, utilising words from Indigenous culture and the many nationalities that arrived on our shore following European colonisation. The resultant unique lingo is as old as the earliest sandstone buildings in Sydney or Hobart and equally in need of preserving. Australian slang is as witty as it is rhythmical, as unusual as it is knowing and as indecipherable to the uninitiated as the most ancient Latin text. The words and phrases we choose to speak tell of our history, our environment and our experience as a collective group of people.
Convicts, bushrangers and goldminers all helped shape the character of our language. The term ‘digger’, for instance, which became popular in World War I, is said to date back to the Australian goldrushes of the 19th century.
Then there are words like ‘G’day’, ‘struth’, ‘bonzer’, ‘barbie’, and ‘Bluey’ – a favourite of mine, which is a nickname for redheads and dates back to the 1890s. (The term is possibly based on the false premise of redheads having especially bad tempers and thus being more likely than blondes or brunettes to enter into a ‘blue’ or argument.)
The issue facing our society certainly isn’t the lack of Aussie terms, it’s their lack of use. Globalisation, cultural cringe and television are all reasons why we are slowly losing our once favoured Australian expressions.
Regardless of the causes, which are both complex and, some would argue, inevitable, all we can do as individuals is offer personal resistance and adopt our own favourite Australian terms in the hope they remain in at least partial usage. Why not grab a pen and a piece of paper right now and have a go at scribbling down a few unique Australian phrases that you love? You may be surprised at how amusing and endearing these expressions come across.
As I gained playwriting experience, I began to realise just how rich and vibrant the Australian vocabulary really was. Using Australian lingo helped give the play a sense of place and create colourful, memorable characters. It became my mission in life to embrace Aussie slang.
Maybe my awakening was age related, writing related or simply explained by the language-loving ABC presenters populating my life – I’m looking at you Chris Wisbey and Annie Warburton. Whatever the reason for my conversion, I can only say, ‘You little beauty, give it a go and I promise she’ll be right!’
Ooroo . . .
Mad as a cut snake
Very angry
Don’t come the raw prawn with me
Don’t lie to me, don’t offer me something I am unable to swallow
Flat out like a lizard drinking
Very busy
Not this little black duck
I might be a bit naive but I’m not doing that
Stone the crows! (one of my personal favourites)
I don’t believe it! How can that be true?
Isn’t she a bird off Nell’s hat?
This refers to people who think they are extra special
• Adopt an Australian word or expression, and use it at every opportunity. ‘G’day’ would be fine, but why not try out some more unusual words and phrases?
• Explore the work of legendary Aussie performer Barry Humphreys, or immerse yourself in the words of Henry Lawson, Steele Rudd and C. J. Dennis.
• Have a look at books by Hugh Lunn, who specialises in the Australia of yesteryear.
• Explore your local library for books about Australian sayings.
• If you have friends overseas, introduce them to Australian words and sayings – what might seem everyday to you may be fascinating and novel for them.
• Listen to your parents and grandparents – perhaps they have some pet phrases – and ask them, too, about any old Australian sayings they might remember from their childhood.