Is Australian slang the same as English slang?

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Ken E

Some is, some isn't. Example - We don't have neds and chavs in Australia, we have bogans instead. Some of the Australian slang lists on the net are really out of date. I mean really out of date. For instance "cobber" is probably pre- First World War and would get you some funny looks if you used it. We do not call the Syd. Harb Bridge the "coathanger" very often.

This one has a few obsolete words but is fairly OK

http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

This one has a couple of bad definitions but is also fairly OK -

http://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/people.htm

For instance "dole bludger" does not mean "signing on illegally". It means someone who is on unemployment benefits with no intention of finding a job.

Karissa Black

Some Phrases we have are the same as English slang.
We have alot of original slang of our own.
Try this website to get an idea of Australia Slang!

http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

tentofield

There are differences and similarities between Australian and English slang. A very good book on the subject is the "Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms" by G A Wilkes.

panda

in the US we call girls Chic's... over there they call them Shelia's
we say bud (buddy ) they say mate. dont know any more never been there...

Elizabeth

Some are the same, some different.
Look at the sites below and you can compare meanings.

Good sites are:
Australian slang.
http://www.dunway.com/html/aussie_slang.html
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Breakers/8092/ozslang.htm

British slang
http://www.effingpot.com/
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

American slang
http://www.slangsite.com/
http://www.manythings.org/slang/

We Aussies do seem to collect slang from around the world and incorporate it into Aussie English.

Stephanie

No, different countries even if they do speak the same language, the lifestyles are different, and so would the meanings behind things.

molly

Your having a lend of me arnt you,Fair go mate,No worrys and youve got Buckleys,Do you want some dead horse(meaning tomato sauce are some examples of Aussie slang and I do think some are very similar to cockney slang

pixel shREdder

That Dude

yes it is,example..barbie,in Australia it's a grill,here in the states it's a doll.Shirmp on the barbie anyone?

grasshopper

No Bollyq, its better.
Aussies probally reinvented slang, we have rhyming slang, EG , watch out for joe blakes, means watch out for snakes, or he is a horse's hoof, means he is a poof, gay! the rubbity means the pub!!
lets go to the flicks, or pics.
or its your shout, mate, means your turn to buy a beer. and if you have the trots, you need a toilet fast. A billy lid means a kid, child.

Ranjeeh D

The traditional roots of the Ozzie strine (slang) is largely English. Its changed a bit along the way, but the concept of Cockney rhyming slang is still there. Unfortunately not all of the inhabitants are (all there that is :-)).

~ B_e_K_z ~

no it isn't.
we say mate like the English but it was our word FIRST!
we say fairdinkum (definition: no way, get outta here!), cobber (friend), looks like dogs balls on a canary (when something really stands out, think about it, it makes sense!), Bluey (name for someone with red hair [ironic...get it?]), daks (trousers), togs (swimming clothes). These are very common words. Check out the source for WAYYYYYY more Aussie slang...

Yollie

No my friend, English slang-you can't understand what the **** their saying and Australian slang is funny because of the different accent!

kerridwen09

No. One that pops out of my head is I've heard Aussies call a girl a "kylie"...In my ignorance, I figured it was a kind of joke on Kylie Minogue? Hey, I'm from the Midwest; I don't know : )

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