How to Speak Like a Tradie

Aussie slang is more than an accent. It’s our own language. Sure some of our tradie sayings can be crude, and leave other English speakers and foreigners confused. But they are bloody ripper! 

New to tradie slang? Coming to Oz? Have a squiz at our list:

 

 1. DART

The perfect excuse for a 10-minute break or also known as a cigarette

 

 2. DUNNY

Another excuse for a 10-minute break, or more commonly known as the toilet

 

 3. ESKY

Cooler for food and drinks

 

 4. GIVE IT A BURL

 This phrase means to try something that you haven’t done before, for example:

“Nah, I haven’t rewired a house yet but I will give it a burl.”

 

 5. GRASS CUTTER

When a tradie feels like another tradie moving onto his patch, he would say this:

 “Oi that Gazza is a bloody grass cutter”

 

 6. GAZZA

 If you are unfortunately named Gary, there is a 100% chance you will hear this on-site at least once a day

 

7. MACCAS

The Golden Arches - McDonald’s

 

 8. RIPPER

 Bloody awesome

 

 9. SERVO

Home of overpriced pies and energy drinks or more commonly known as, a gas station

 

10. SHE’LL BE RIGHT

Everything will be fine

“Oi, we missed the turn-off ya bloody idiot.”

“She’ll be right”

 

 11. SICKIE

 Sick day

 “Nah, I’m not in tomorrow. I’m pulling a sickie”

 

 12. SLAB

Much needed after a bloody hard week of graft, or otherwise known as a 24 crate of beer

 13.  SMOKO

The perfect occasion to enjoy a dart/mid-morning break

“I’m on smoko, so leave me alone”

 

 14. THICK AS A BRICK

Someone with a questionable level of intelligence

 

 15. UTE

A majestic carriage of tradies, tools and old PPE you haven’t been arsed to chuck away yet. Or if you want to get technical, a utility vehicle. If you don’t have one are ya even a tradie?

 

Think you’ll find the lingo Down Under a piece of piss? Then ya gotta check out this legend!