If you follow my blog at all then you are aware that I spend all of my time surrounded by my Aussie co-workers and bosses in the confined spaces of the boat.  While we may all be technically speaking the same language, many times I’ve needed a translation or two.  The one thing that has really struck me about Aussie slang is how many abbreviations they use- it’s on a whole new level.  Here is a list of some of the most commonly use abbrevs (get it? I shortened ‘abbreviations’… it’s funny, laugh) that I have heard:

ta- short for “thank you”, this one used to annoy the crap out of me until I learned that it is taught to small children who still can’t fully enunciate ‘thank you’ and has simply made it’s way into mainstream slang.  I can get behind creative ways to teach good manners so it’s a-ok in my book.

arvo- short for “afternoon”, this one actually still does bug me a bit, but only because there is no ‘v’ in afternoon and the ‘r’ seems like it would come after the ‘v’ anyway. I don’t know, maybe I’m getting too technical; it is slang after all.

“meet you for shrimp on the barbie in the arvo, mate!”

devo- short for “devastated”. You’d actually be surprised how often people are “devo” here in Oz.  Maybe they should say “bummo” (bummed) or something because I’m pretty sure “devastated” should be reserved for deaths or unrequited love or something like that and not the bottle-o being closed, right? which brings me to….

bottle-o- short for “bottle shop”, which means “liquor store” for all my American friends.

Macca’s- the famed golden arches, “McDonald’s”.  In fact, all McDonald’s in Australia are actually changing their name to “Macca’s”.  True story: I’ve never heard an Aussie call it “McDonald’s”.  Also a true story: I’ve never eaten more McDonald’s in my life than I have while living in Australia.

“I got so pissed last night, I feel like shit this morning.  Let’s get some Macca’s brekky.”

brekky/brekkie- short for “breakfast”.  Although let’s be honest, it’s the same amount of syllables, so really what’s the point?

capo- short for “capsicum”.  Once again, for all the ‘mericans out there, that means “bell pepper”.

avo- short for “avocado”.  I think that’s pretty much it on that one.

Freo- short for “Fremantle”.  Even cities get fun nicknames!

Rotto- short for “Rottnest”, as in Rottnest Island.  Another place with a nickname!

That’s all I’ve got for you right now, but I’ll be adding more Aussie slang for your enjoyment in the near future. Until then, g’day mates!