Australian nicknames
People Back in 1912 British immigrants to Australia were called pommygrants. This may have been because their complexion reminded Aussies of the colour of red pomegranates. That was abbreviated to pommy and pom.
However, some will argue that it stands for Prisoner Of Mother England, but we won’t comment on that. It helps to have to have a sense of humour when talking to an Aussie.
| Aussie | person from Australia, an Australian. Pronounced Ozzy not Ossie. |
| Bushie | person from in rural Australia |
| Cockroach | person from New South Wales (said with humour) |
| Crow-Eater | person from South Australia (said with humour) |
| Banana Bender | person from Queensland (said with humour) |
| Cane Toad | person from Queensland (said with humour) |
| Sandgroper | person from Western Australia (said with humour) |
| Apple Eater | person from Tasmania (said with humour) |
| Taswegian | person from Tasmania (said with humour) |
| Kiwi | person from New Zealand, a New Zealander |
| Pommy or Pom | person from England (said with humour) |
| Brit | person from England |
| Yank | person from the USA (said with humour) |
| Septic Tank | person from the USA (said with humour), rhyming word with Yank |
| Seppo | person from the USA (said with humour), play on Septic Tank. Also another word for the person who empties the dunny or septic tank. |
| Ambo | ambulance officer |
| Firee | fire fighter, fireman. Also spelled fire-ie. |
| Bushfire Brigade | volunteer fire fighting organization |
| Nipper | young surf lifesaver |
| Journo | journalist |
| Newsreader | person who reads the news on TV or radio. News anchor (USA and Canada) |
| Compere | emcee of a program or event |
| Muso | musician |
| Busker | person who performs (busks) for donations usually on sidewalks. Mostly musicians and singers. |
| Gabster | radio talk show host |
| Showie | person working in a travelling carnival. Carnie in the USA. |
| Spruiker | person whose job it is to speak loudly to passers-by to advertise and solicit customers for a business |
| Solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
| Pollie | politician |
| Greenie | environmentalist |
| Greens | member of the political Green Party |
| Battler | someone without much luck in life and always has to struggle |
| Reffo | refugee |
| Biker | person who rides a motorcycle |
| Bikie | member of a motorcycle gang |
| Swagman | a drifter (person without a permanent place to live) who carried his swag as he travelled the country on foot looking for work. He was a common sight during the depression of the 1890’s and 1930’s. |
| Tall Poppy | successful person often a target of jealous remarks |
| Bluey | nickname for a person with red hair |
| Curly | nickname for a person with a bald head |
| Duck’s Disease | what a short person has |
| Lofty | nickname for a short person |
| Bloke | a man |
| Sheila | a woman |
| Trouble and Strife | wife (rhyming slang) |
| Mum | mother |
| Ankle Biter | young child |
| Rug Rat | baby |
| Sprogs | offspring, children |
| Tin Lid | kid (rhyming slang) |
| Schoolie | holidaying student after completing final year exams. Not to be confused with schooie which is a schooner of beer. |
| Oldies | parents |
| Poppy | grandfather |
| Rellies | relatives |
| Mate | friend, buddy |
| Cobber | close friend, mate |
| Old Dears | senior citizens or your parents |
| Wrinklies | senior citizens |
| De Facto | man or woman living together as husband and wife, but not married |
| The Don | Sir Donald Bradman, considered the best cricket player |
| ANZAC | member of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps |
| Digger | Australian soldier |
| Salvo, Sal, Sallie | person from the Salvation Army |
| Vinnie’s | St. Vincent De Paul’s (charity thrift stores) |
| Larrikin | a rowdy, irresponsible person |
| Boofhead | friendly term for someone who is not too smart |
| Galah | foolish person also a pink and grey parrot |
| Dill | a simpleton or stupid person, also a herb |
| Dobber | person who told what you’ve been up to, usually something bad |
| Drongo | stupid person. A drongo footballer would run the wrong way. |
| Show Pony | appearance is more important than ability to this person |
| Sook | cry baby, timid and shy cowardly person |
| Stickybeak | nosy person who does not mind their own business |
| Wanker | male that’s really stupid but thinks he’s the greatest |
| Winger | person who complains constantly (whinge) |
| Dag | unfashionable person |
| Yobbo | an uncouth person |
| Ocker | uncultured person, an Aussie who likes beer, sports and women (usually in that order) |
| Casual Worker | someone who works part time or as temporary help |
| Jackaroo | male station hand |
| Jillaroo | female station hand |
| Stockman | person who tends livestock on horseback. (Cowboy USA) |
| Cow Cockie | dairy farmer |
| Fruit Cockie | fruit farmer |
| Greengrocer | person who sells fruit and vegetables |
| Milko | milkman |
| Offsider | assistant or helper |
| Chippie | carpenter |
| Sparky | electrician; also called a leckie |
| Brickie | bricklayer |
| Postie | postman, mailman, mail delivery person |
| Trolly Dolly | airline hostess |
| Fang Carpenter | dentist |
| Chemist | drug store, pharmacy. Also person filling prescriptions. In the USA the place is called a pharmacy, while the person is called a pharmacist. |
| Trucky | driver of large trucks |
| Umpie | umpire |
| Wax-head | surfer |
| Wharfie | dockside worker, longshoreman |
| Garbo | garbage collector (American); dustman (British) |
| Dunnyman | person who empties toilet cans where there is no sewer connected |
| Seppo | person who empties the dunny or septic tank. Also another word for an American (said in humour) |
| Bushranger | outlaw |
| Duffers | thieves, i.e. cattle duffer (cattle thief) |
| Hoon | hooligan |
| Mongrel | despicable person |
| Ratbag | rascal; rogue; person who has non-conforming behaviour. Can be used with humour said to a friend. |
| Bludger | person who won’t work, extremely lazy |
| Dole Bludger | person who avoids work preferring to live on welfare |
| Crim | criminal |
| Dip | pickpocket |
