We all know that one person who is just a bit of a bogan. It’s Shaz at your local Woolies, you know the one with the stud above the right side of her mouth and the purple streak through her hair? It’s Daimo from the servo with the tattoos and the Monster cap. In Australia, we have the knack of using slang terms, some of which are quite obscure and potentially confusing. So here is a guide to bogan banter for social gatherings this Australia Day.
She’ll be apples: It will be all good. Daimo says, “Even if it rains, she’ll be apples – we’ve got plenty of beer!”
It’s gone walkabout: It has gone missing, cannot be found. This term draws a parallel with traditional Aboriginal life, particularly with reference to long periods of travel through the bush. Shaz says, “I can’t find my phone anywhere, it’s gone walkabout”.
Flanny/flannie: A shirt made from flannelette material with a checkered pattern on it. Such shirts are often worn by working class men. Daimo says, “Yeah, this is what I’m wearing. It’s my best flanny!”
Flat out like a lizard drinking/ flat maggot: Working at great speed, using all of one’s effort. This phrase evocatively draws on both meanings of ‘flat out’. Daimo says, “We were run off our feet today with customers and I was flat out like a lizard drinking”.
On the foot falcon: Walking everywhere you need to go. This phrase makes an ironic reference to the popular Australian car, the Ford Falcon. Shaz says, “My daughter’s got the car tonight so I’ll be on the foot falcon”.
Like a bull at a gate: To act hastily, without thinking. Shaz says, “He was stocking the shelves like a bull at a gate and dropping stuff everywhere”.
Crack a tinnie: To open a beer. Daimo says, “I’ll go straight home and crack a tinnie”.
Bonzer/bonza: Excellent, ace or very cool. Shaz says, “Have a bonzer of a day”.
Bob’s your uncle: As simple as that. This phrase is often used to conclude an explanation and highlight simplicity. Daimo says, “Take the first left up here, then left again at the roundabout, then you’ll keep going for a few hundred meters and, Bob’s your uncle, there’s the RSL”.
On the blower: On the phone. Shaz says, “I saw Gary in the staffroom but I didn’t get to ask him about it because he was on the blower”.
Strewth: however, since then it has become an Australian colloquialism in its own right. Daimo says, “Strewth! Did you see that car mate?”.
Whether you use such slang terms or not, as Australians, we share a unique culture. I think we all have a bit of a bogan within. So go on, put on your best flannie, crack a tinnie, think about what it means to be Australian and have a bonzer of a day!
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-slang http://www.traveller.com.au/strewth-mate-how-to-speak-aussie-3aofm
The Vanguard 