Local Lingo and Slang used sometime in Darwin, Northern territory Australia

There is some unconventional english in our local dialect around Darwin. As the miners, chaps from the cattle stations or oil rigs come to town to relax you may hear it a bit stronger. Here we suggest a few sayings or words you may encounter on your stay in Darwin.

Now as a word or saying may have a few variances in meaning we suggest you not use it though just know what it usually means so you can have a laugh when you hear it.

You will note Australian's love humour and many offer sarcasm in jest. We often make a witty remark in the most dire of circumstances. Such as a cyclone is about to come your way and your mate say's 'Blimey mate better stock up on the beer'. True the last Cyclone 'Monica' that came through this general area - I was at Northlakes Shopping Centre the day before and I saw many trolley's full of beer coming out and being loaded on utes with a dog at the back - You just had to laugh. "Only in Darwin'.

As Darwin now has a large number of folks moving here from south our langauge has mellowed over the last 20 years since i have been here. As you venture into the outback it becomes much more noticable. Also I noticed that lingo meaning can vary between the states in Australia

The other interesting aspect of the way we speak is some of us speak very quickly and the further you go into the outback we often tend to draw out our words. The reason we tend to speak quickly that was offered to me when I first arrived in Darwin was that it gave you more time to drink. (That's Darwin). Interesting note we now comsume wine and spirit's nearly as much as we do beer. Note: The author doesn't drink and yes he is a true Darwinian.

Another interesting aspect of Darwin is the dogs. They live like kings and everyone seems to have 1-2. A typical scene at 5.30 pm on a Friday is a ute (4WD with a tray back) towing a tinnie (smaller fishing boat) and a dog in the front passenger seat with it's head out the window gulping at the fresh air on Stuart Highway.

Our panel of expert's as you can gather are our old timer's. You can imagine the conversations as they all spoke in slang only. If we have missed any please email us at Email us.

GREETINGS - GOODBYE - ANTIDOTES
	Why not have a look our lingo/slang if your visiting from overseas it's fun. We don't suggest you use it unless your with locals who are friends as the sayings may sometimes a few different types of meaning.
Heaps	Lot's of something
Ged Hey	Hello - To reply just say 'Hi - how are you'
How's it hangin	Cheeky way of saying hello - To reply just say just say 'Ok how are you'
How's it goin	Hello - To reply just say just say 'Ok thanks how are you'
I reckon	I feel I think
See ya later	Goodbye and we will see each other again
See you round	We will meet again
Catch up	We will meet again
Cheerio	Goodbye, "see ya later"!
In a blue moon	Once in a while
Just joshin	Just kidding or just joking
Lingo	Language
Mate	A name for anyone man you meet, or if you can't remember someone's name, or an expression of affection amongst male or female friends
Hava gander at	To have a glimspe at something
You Beaut	Congradulations or Looks good (actually it can means a few things)
True blue	Genuinely Australian
Blimey	Actually I counted many areas this could be use in - most relevant is here we would so Blimey mate (meaning your enforcing what your going to say)

WORDS WE CUT IN HALF AND ADD 'ie' TOO If you look at a lot of lingo we tend to cut the word in half and just add 'ie'. Tinnie, Biccie, Breakie, Barbie - the reason yep cut the word down so there's more time to drink they said. You have to laugh. Here are some of the 100's we use daily
Aussie	An Australian
Barbie	Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fueled by charcol or gas
Saltie	Crocodile
Cockie	Cockroach
Mozzie	Mosquito
Cockie	Cockatoo
Tinnie	Approx. 14 foot steel or aluminium boat with an outboard motor for fishing
Crappie	Not pleasent
Bikkie	Biscuit
Brekkie	Breakfast
Crikie	This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it.
Cozzies	Swimming gear
Cushie	To have it easy
Big bikkies	Ample money
Pokie	Poker machines, slot or fruit machines
Pollie	Politician
Pozzie	Position or seat
Scratchie	Instant lottery ticket
Sickie	Paid day off work, usually not due to illness
Chuck a sickie	Paid day off work, usually not due to illness

Our Affection With Weather
Gone Troppo	Used in the 1940's till 1980's. Mainly refering to certain folks in Darwin that were affected by the humidty buildup between November and January. Now days we have airconditioning everywhere so no such problem.
Goin round the bend	Mainly refering to certain folks in Darwin that were affected by the humidty buildup between November and January. Now days we have airconditioning everywhere so no such problem.
P*&^%$ Down	Mean's raining heavily. Oh when you hear P*&^%$ you will know what we mean.
Raining Buckets	Mean's raining heavily.
Raining Cats and Dogs	Mean's raining heavily.
Belting down	Mean's raining heavily.

Our Affection With Tomato Sauce
Fair suck of the sauce bottle	To recieve a fair go
Dead Horse	Tomota Sauce

Money
Scrapnel	Coins
Loss Change	Coins
$20 Note	Redback >>>>> Very rarely used -have only heard it on a few occassions- mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced.I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myself
$10 Note	Whaler - A it was blue in colour >>>>> Very rarely used -have only heard it on a few occassions- mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced. I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myself
$5 Note	Pink Lady - As it had a picture of the Queen one it >>>>> Very rarely used -have only heard it on a few occassions- mainly in the 60's in the deep bush when decimal currency was introduced. I actually haven't heard it used since the early 70's myself

Drinking
Grog	Alcohol
Darwin Stubby	A one litre bottle of beer made famous as the largest beer bottle in the world. Now days it's purchase as gifts and souvenirs
Coldie	Bottle or can of beer
Shandy	This is a beer and lemonade mixed
Anzac Shandy	This is a beer and champagne mixed
Your Shout	Meaning it's your turn to buy the drinks
Your round	Meaning it's your turn to buy the drinks
Slab	A Carton of beer
Tinnie	One can of beer
Greenie	One can of Victoria Bitter
Dodgie	Not approving of or unsure of a someone or a situation or product.
One for the road	Supposedly last drink - but in reality expect another 2-3 more after this.
Amber Nectar	Beer

TIME
Arvo	Afternoon
Half Past	30 minutes past the hour

FOOD
Dig In	Begin Eating
Chow Time	Time to eat
Luncho	Lunch time
Tea	This can mean dinner time around 6pm
Smoko	A break from work inbetween breakfast, lunch or dinner
On the nose	Smelly food usually

LOCATIONS
Back of Bourke	Used to describe anywhere far away, also a far Northern NSW town in the Outback.
Black Stump	Very remote
Big smoke	The city
Billabong	Waterhole
Woop Woop	Back of beyond or the middle of nowhere

THINGS - PRODUCTS
Idiot box	Television
Akubra	Brand of typical Aussie hat
Didgeridoo	Aboriginal musical instrument made from a hollowed log
Boomerang	Aboriginal weapon made from a curved piece of wood which returns when thrown in the air
Tinnie	Approx. 14 foot steel or aluminium boat with an outboard motor for fishing
Ute	Utility van or 4WD Car with tray top
Scratchie	Instant lottery ticket
Long Drop	Toilet - with a deep hole in the ground
Thunderbox	Toilet
Dunny	Toilet
Crapper	Toilet
Loo	Toilet

WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD OR APPROVALS
Onya	Good for you
Cool Bananas	Everything's great
On Yah	A sound of approval
You little bewdy	I think you're or it's great
You little ripper	I think you're or it's great
Bonza	A sound of approval ie his a Bonza Bloke - good fellow
On Yah China	A compliment of types
Come here China	Come here mate- China was an affectionate name for a good bloke or worker or mate.
On Yah bro	A compliment of types
Rightie Oh	A sound of approval
You bet	A sound of approval
Crikie	This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it.
Razzle Dazzle me	Impress me
Good Looka	Attractive
Good Sort	Attractive
Ripper	Approval
Dinkum	Orginally - Old england too work hard - now if you add 'Fair to Dinkum" it can mean is it true what your saying
Bloody oath	In total agreement with you
Crash hot	The best
Cushie	To have it easy
Ridgy-didge	Genuine or honest

WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOOD Any quotes of a unappropiate nature were not included....there are quite a few
Whinge	Too Complain
Muck-Up	To make a mess of something
Lets Blue	To request a fight
Got the Blues	When your feeling bad
Bollocks	Disapproval
Browned off	Upset at someone or something
Bugger	Upset at something
Buzz off	Leave me alone
U wana blue	To request a fight
Fair go mate	Sometimes indicates the other person may be upset at something
For sure	Can be approval or disapproval - You just have to at the person and read the body langauge
It's curtains for you	Your in trouble (Terry F. our friends say's it's venetian blinds for everyone.)
Crappie	Not pleasant
Crikie	This can be a sign of amazement or sign of disapproval- again depends on the situation and body language of the person saying it.
Fair Go Mate	Indicating your disapproval
Mate don't cross me	Don't upset or trick me
Don't get in me road	Don't upset me and get out of my way
Damme	Disapproval
Dickey	On the blink- works sometimes
Not On Your Life	You will never do something
Loose your nuts	A sexual conitation about if you don't do something right there will be consequences
'Ava go ya mug	Can mean to fight or to try something
Barney	Arguement or fight
Bingle	Car accident
Cop out	Give up or in
Spit the dummy	Uncontrollably upset
Strewth	I don't believe it
Strife	Trouble
Troppo	Slighty mad or from being in the sun too long
Zonked	Exhausted
Dead as a door nail	Really dead
Kicked the bucket	Died
Nose out of joint	Upset at something or some one
He went out sideways	Died unusual death

SHOPPING OR FOOD
Hang On A Minute	To wait Ahhhhhhhh - Now best in Darwin to wait your turn. It may seem on the rare occassion some staff in front of you don't care and are too busy on the phone talking about tonight's dinner or chatting to someone about their brothers aunties sisters cousins daughters husband's next door neighbours xmas party. If you patiently wait your turn they will spend dedicated time with you. This is Tropical Darwin - so relax and enjoy it's quaint ways!!!! (David A. this is decidated to your experience in Darwin hahaha)
Brouse	To look only not buy
Lets Go Dutch	Share the bill
Do A Runner	Not pay the bill and escape
Being Fleeced	Means the shopper is taking advantage of you
Barbie	Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fueled by charcol or gas
BBQ	Barbecue, the backyard barbie is an Australian institution - a grill fueled by charcol or gas
Snag	Sausage
Big bikkies	Ample money
Billy	Tin used to boil water for tea, in the bush
Bikkie	Biscuit
Brekky	Breakfast
Chuck	To throw up, or be sick
Cozzies	Swimming gear
Esky	Australian - famous - Insulated cooler box

PEOPLE - ANIMALS
Aussie	An Australian
Kid	Child
Carpet Muncher	A cute kid or it can be an annoying littl child crawling around mischiefly on the carpet.
Bloke	Man
Bro	Man
Digger	Man
Chick	Woman
Skirt	Woman
Shela	An affectionate term for a woman
Old Fossil	Geriatric an old person
Bumkin	Country Chap - Not worldly
Scrubs up well	Implying a person can look great when they put on decent clothes
Blow-in	A newcomer
Blue Heeler	Term for an Australian Cattle Dog
Blue or Bluey	A redheaded person
Brumby	A wild horse
Grapevine	Word of mouth
Bush Telegraph	Word of mouth
Cockie	Cockroach
Mozzie	Mosquito
Cockie	Cockatoo
Croc	Crocodile
Saltie	Crocodile
Croweater	Person from South Australia (state)
Mexican	Person from Victoria (state) - Bill's Reminising!!! He calls them mudlarks
South of the border	Person from Victoria (state)
Banana Bender	Person from Queensland (state)
Cornstalk	Bill's Reminising!!! New South Wales folks - called that by old locals
Territorians	Bill's Reminising!!! Known as whiteants
Sandgroper	Bill's Reminising!!! People from Western Australia
Apple Eaters	Bill's Reminising!!! People from Tasmania
Tassie	Tasmania
Cuppa	Cup of tea
I''m Bushed	I'm Tired
Roo	Kangaroo

Folks we have purposely ommitted all the sexual connotations here as this is a tourism site

WORK
Call It A Day	To stop work
Contraption	Usual said by an older person refering to an old piece or new of electronics or machinery they don't understand
Dinkum	Orginally - Old england too work hard - now if you add 'Fair to Dinkum" it can mean is it true what your saying
Jackaroo	A male cattle station worker on bike or horseback
Jillaroo	A female cattle station worker on bike or horseback
Bludger	Sponger borrows and never pays back
Bust a gut	Work hard
Slog It out	Work hard to the end
Yakka	Hard work