In any new country, visitors are likely to encounter local slang that might not make much sense when considered for its literal meaning. Australia is certainly among those countries that enjoy a rich tradition of slang and local words and phrases for common things and ideas, and even after an initial stay, the passing of the Australian citizenship test, and a bit of time spent getting to know the country and its people, new Australian citizens are bound to find the occasional word that leaves them entirely stumped. There are a number of ways to go about learning local slang to make understanding new acquaintances easier and more enjoyable, and to practice local slang oneself to adopt a decidedly Aussie vocabulary. One of the best approaches to this goal is likely to be found in simply asking Australians what they mean by a given piece of slang whenever it’s used. Though some newcomers may be shy about asking, they’re sure to find that Aussies are more than glad to share their particular nuances of speech with others. Of course, looking up some words and phrases first can help make initial conversations easier. 

     While there are many thousands of words and phrases that are included in Australia’s national slang usage, some are of course more popular and widely used than others. Many are adopted from British slang, revealing the connections between Australia and its sovereign, the Queen of England. “Bloody”, for instance, typically is used to mean “very”, and is likely to be heard in a wide variety of situations and settings. Other words, however, are entirely Australian, and can be recognized internationally as hailing from down under. “Oz”, the local term for Australia itself, is used frequently among natives and may even appear in more formal situations such as in business names.

     Some slang words are specifically related to distinct features of Australia. The kangaroo, one of the most beloved animals in the world and a national symbol for Australia, is often referred to simply as a “roo”, and the presence of flies in the country is typically joked about by calling the motion of waving them away the “Aussie salute”. In addition to these fun and somewhat whimsical pieces of slang, there are other terms and phrases that can be especially important for working and living in Australia, such as references to street directions, times, or money. A “zack”, for instance, is used to connote a sixpence piece, and new citizens are likely to notice that people express their disdain for something of little value by declaring that “it isn’t worth a zack”.

     At first, encountering the wealth of slang terms and phrases in Australia may be overwhelming, but as with other aspects of life in the country, new citizens will find that a bit of time and patience can yield a clearer picture of the meaning of Australian slang and will feel more comfortable using it themselves.