An ongoing collection of my favourite Australianisms
(these are the ones that have crept into my own vocabulary, either because it is used so commonly or because I just really like hearing and/or using it)
bewdy- an adulterated form of the word beauty, used as an exclamation of approval
bogan- term use for somebody who is hillbilly-like in their appearance and manner.
chook- a chicken
doing it tough- when someone is going through a particularly difficult time for one reason or another, they are said to be “doing it tough”
esky- a cooler. It started as a trademark for one brand of portable food/drink cooler (Esky), but is now used generically in reference to a cooler
feral- an adjective used to describe someone who has overimbibed or whose behaviour is loud, obnoxious or disorderly
flash- an adjective meaning gaudy, ostentatious, flamboyant or showy: e.g. That’s a rally flash car he’s driving now.
hoon- one who drives a loud souped-up car
rellies- relatives
rug up- to put more or heavier clothing on to keep warm
sus- something that seems shady or suspect
