aerial ping-pong
A jocular or derisive name for Australian rules football.
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The Slang MusterAustralian words and expressions
Sport and recreation
Slang from the field, track, beach, backyard and grandstand.
54 entries · Search and filter this theme →
auto wickie
A wall, fence, garage door or other structure that acts as an automatic wicketkeeper in backyard cricket.
baggy green
The green cricket cap worn by Australian Test cricketers; by extension, a symbol of the Test side and its tradition.
Read the note on usagebarrack for
Support a sporting team or competitor.
barrier rise
The opening of the starting gates at the beginning of a horse race.
berley
Ground bait scattered in water to attract fish.
Bernborough finish
A dramatic late finish or victory from well behind, named after the racehorse Bernborough.
Black Caviar odds
Extremely short betting odds.
blouse
To defeat a competitor by a very narrow margin, especially in racing or sport.
bodyline
The fast leg-theory bowling tactic associated with England's 1932–33 Ashes tour of Australia.
Read the note on usagebush footy
Australian football or rugby league played in rural and regional communities.
Currentcarn the…
Come on the…; a barracking cry for a team or competitor.
Read the note on usagechicken-wing tackle
A tackle in rugby league or Australian football that traps and forces an opponent's arm behind the back.
couch peloton
Australian cycling fans who follow road racing from home, especially late-night Tour de France viewers; also one such fan.
Currentdishlicker
A greyhound, especially in racing slang.
do a Bradbury
Succeed unexpectedly after leading rivals fail or fall away.
Read the note on usagedo a Jezza
To take or attempt a spectacular high mark in Australian football, in allusion to Alex Jesaulenko's 1970 grand-final mark.
Historical and rememberedDorothy Dix
A six in cricket, by rhyming slang.
Read the note on usageesky lidder
A bodyboarder.
falcon
A ball accidentally striking a player or other person in the head or face.
Read the note on usagefang it
To accelerate or travel very fast.
footy
Football, with the intended code depending on region and community.
Read the note on usageGreg Norman
A Great Northern beer, in rhyming or name-based slang.
Read the note on usagehave a go, ya mug
A barracking challenge or encouragement to try.
Read the note on usagehome and hosed
Certain to win or successfully completed.
king-hit
A sudden knockout blow, often an unexpected or unfair punch.
Current but contested terminologyleave the porch light on for Harold Holt
To hold out hope for a highly unlikely outcome.
London to a brick
Very strong odds or near certainty, especially in betting-style comparisons.
Mal Meninga
Finger, in Australian rhyming slang.
Read the note on usageMerv Hughes
Shoes.
Read the note on usageminor premier
The team finishing first after the regular season.
mongrel punt
An awkward or unpredictable kick in Australian football.
no-hoper
A person or competitor with little prospect of success.
noer
A person who intended to vote, or voted, No in the 2023 Voice referendum.
Read the note on usageoffie
An off-spin bowler.
petrolhead
A motor-racing or motor-vehicle enthusiast.
pokies
Poker machines.
sausage roll
A goal.
Read the note on usagescreamer
A spectacular overhead mark in Australian Rules football; also used in compounds for a low alcohol tolerance.
shark biscuit
A bodyboard, bodyboarder or inexperienced surfer, depending on context.
Read the note on usageshirtfront
In Australian football, to charge or bump an opponent front-on; figuratively, to confront someone forcefully.
Read the note on usagesix-and-out
A backyard-cricket rule under which hitting a six over the nominated boundary also puts the batter out.
sledge
To needle or abuse an opponent, originating especially in cricket.
slice of cheese
A yellow card in soccer.
Read the note on usageslippery pill
A wet and difficult-to-handle football.
speccy
A spectacular mark in Australian rules football.
sundry
An extra run in cricket, such as a bye, leg bye, no-ball or wide.
surfie
A surfer or member of surf culture.
Read the note on usagethe G
The Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Read the note on usageTillies
The Australian women's national soccer team; the Matildas.
Read the note on usagetippy-go
A backyard-sport rule or variation; exact distribution requires verification.
Read the note on usagetrugo
An Australian game in which a disc is struck with a mallet towards a goal.
waxhead
A keen surfer.
yesser
A person voting or campaigning for Yes in the 2023 Voice referendum.
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