Why Australians use the word "mate" so often? What is the cultural significance of this word in your vocab?

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Nemesis

The term mate is often used by Australians when saying hello mate or goodbye mate often used when the name of the person involved cannot be remembered.

Jen S

It is cultural. John Howard even tried to promote 'mateship' at some point in time recently. Think it's like comradeship and just emphasises the classless society the Aussies live in and value so much - everyone being equal

Overtaxed

The English use it a lot too. I can only suggest that it may have some connection to their seafaring history.

TonyB

It's only used man to man. Some women try to use it but it just doesn't suit them.

It's a term of endearment and of friendship - but we also use it with total strangers to indicate how friendly we are. It is also a great social leveller; you can call anyone 'mate' and they won't be offended. There is no class structure here (as there is in England) and calling each other mate indicates that you are 'equal'.

It was originally an English term and, most likely, came over with the convicts on the long journeys by ship (think 'shipmate').

I use it all the time because I'm hopeless at remembering names.
:-) so it's handy there too.

channille

Some wierd answers there.. Are you sure you're all from aus??
The word mate isn't old fashioned or hardley used... I hear it numerous times throughout the day, I always answer the phones and greet my friends with "hella mate" and "seeya mate" and "whats up mate" and or if they stuff up "ohhhh mate"
and us female's and males throw the term around pretty evenly too.. Mate is just a more friendly and informal term for another person, whether they are a close friend or not, The only place I can think of the term coming from is as the guy above my mentioned about being shipmates..

ausblue

i think it was because of the war why it started not real sure
a lot of people do use MATE especially the guys in the pub & at gatherings parties BBQs etc even in some work places
It is more friendlier to say good day mate!!

Julius Sumner Miller

I reckon yous should know that we say mate all the time, walkin down the street, if you pass an old codger, say g,day mate, and they'll say it back no probs. It's not old or nuthin.Just like she'll be right or fair dinkum. It's also good speakin strine to confuse the seppo's. onya mate.

Ken E

The American equivalent might be "buddy". It's slightly old fashioned.

Dobby The Great

i know a few people in Australia and they hardly ever use "mate". I've heard opinions that Australians saying "mate" all the time is just a stereotype.

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