Before you take someone out for calling you a “little bottler,” these handy vocab definitions will set your conversation straight.

Amber fluid - Beer
“Let’s have a quick transfusion of amber fluid.”

Arvo - Afternoon
“Pop in for arvo tea.”

Bag of fruit - A man’s suit (rhyming slang)
“He was dressed to kill in his bag of fruit, and he didn’t care who knew it.”

Bell - To call someone on the telephone
“I’ll give you a bell from the back of beyond.”

Black stump - An imaginary point dividing civilization from the Outback
“She’s the biggest big-noter this side of the black stump.”
(Note: Big-noter is slang for one who boasts or exaggerates wealth or power.)

Bloody - One of the most over-used adjectives in the Australian vocabulary, used to add emphasis
“She’s a bloody beauty,” or “Too bloody right, mate.”

Bottler - Someone (or something) who performs well
“He’s a little bottler.”

Fair go - A chance, an equal opportunity
“Give us a fair go, Bruce.”

Flat out - Very busy
“He’s flat out like a lizard drinking.”

Knock-off - The end of the work day
“It’s knock-off time.”

No-hoper - A fool or lazy, hapless person
“She’s a real no-hoper.”

Possie - A position or spot
“There’s a good parking possie.”

Ripper - Someone or something really good
“Bloody ripper, mate.”

Shout - To pay for a round of drinks; also used when buying anything for another person
In an Aussie pub: “It’s your shout, mate.”


Source: A Fair Dinkum Aussie Dictionary (Tourism Australia, 2004)