There is a plethora of websites in internet land that highlights the unique slang language of Australians. We know what a sheila or a nong is, but many times I have witnessed foreigners completely baffled when an Aussie lets fly with uniquely Australian Sayings.

So I am endeavouring to bring to you as many Aussie sayings as I can muster, together with an understandable explanation of exactly what they mean. Have fun!

U TO Z

Saying: Up at sparrow’s fart Meaning: Awake and up very early in the morning I’m pretty tired this afternoon, been up since sparrow’s Fart:

Saying: Up the creek in a barbed wire canoe Meaning: this is useless : If we can’t get to our destination in time, we’ll be up the creek in a barbed wire canoe

Saying: Veranda over the toolshed Meaning: A big belly, pot belly He’s got the biggest veranda over the toolshed because he loves his beer:

Saying: Well Strike me Pink! Meaning: I’m flabbergasted! How to use this saying: Well, strike me pink I’ve never seen an elephant do that!

Saying: Wet me whistle Meaning: Have a drink because I’m parched I’ve been riding that horse all morning and I need to wet me whistle:

Saying: What do you do for a crust mate? Meaning: How do you earn a living How to use this saying: He’s flashy with money, I wonder what he does for a crust

Saying: What a load of old cobblers Meaning: what a load of rubbish you are speaking How to use this saying: You can’t believe a word he says, he just sprouts a load of old cobblers

Saying: We’re in the middle of bloody woop woop Meaning: We live in the outback, in the sticks How to use this saying: Don’t bother sending it to us, we live in bloody woop woop

Saying: Wouldn’t have the foggiest Meaning: haven’t a clue How to use this saying: Don’t ask me how he did it, I wouldn’t have the foggiest.

Saying: Wouldn’t work in an iron lung Meaning: Is lazy How to use this saying: Don’t give that job to him, he couldn’t work in an iron lung

Saying: Ya drongo Meaning: You idiot How to use this saying: don’t put a bloody match to it ya drongo

Saying: You’ve got Buckleys mate Meaning: You haven’t a chance How to use this saying: You’ve got two chances of seeing snow in the outback – Buckley’s and none