Editing Australian English (section)

==Vocabulary==
===Intrinsic traits===
{{Main|Australian English vocabulary}}
[[File:Banjo Patterson.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Bush poets such as [[Banjo Paterson]] captured the Australian vocabulary of the 19th century in their [[bush ballad]]s.]]
Australian English has many words and idioms which are unique to the dialect.

====Commonly known====
Internationally well-known examples of Australian terminology include ''[[outback]]'', meaning a remote, sparsely populated area, ''[[the bush]]'', meaning either a native forest or a country area in general, and ''g'day'', a greeting. ''Dinkum'', or ''fair dinkum'' means "true", "legitimate" or "is that true?", among other things, depending on context and inflection.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/pubs/ozwords/November_98/index.html| title = Frederick Ludowyk, 1998, "Aussie Words: The Dinkum Oil On Dinkum; Where Does It Come From?" (''0zWords'', Australian National Dictionary Centre)| access-date = 5 November 2007| archive-date = 16 March 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110316062047/http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/pubs/ozwords/November_98/index.html| url-status = dead}}. Access date: 5 November 2007.</ref> The derivative ''dinky-di'' means "true" or devoted: a "dinky-di Aussie" is a "true Australian".{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

====Historical references====
[[Australian performance poetry|Australian poetry]], such as "[[The Man from Snowy River (poem)|The Man from Snowy River]]", as well as [[Australian folk music|folk songs]] such as "[[Waltzing Matilda]]", contain many historical Australian words and phrases that are understood by Australians even though some are not in common usage today.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

==== British English similarities and differences ====
Australian English, in common with [[British English]], uses the word ''[[mateship|mate]]'' to mean ''[[mate (colloquialism)|friend]]'', as well as the word ''[[bloody]]'' as a mild [[Expletive (linguistics)|expletive]] or [[intensifier]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} "Mate" is also used in multiple ways including to indicate "mateship" or formally call out the target of a threat or insult, depending on internation and context.

Several words used by Australians were at one time used in the UK but have since fallen out of usage or changed in meaning there. For example, ''creek'' in Australia, as in North America, means a stream or small river, whereas in the UK it is typically a watercourse in a marshy area; ''paddock'' in Australia means field, whereas in the UK it means a small enclosure for livestock; ''bush'' or ''scrub'' in Australia, as in North America, means a natural, uncultivated area of vegetation or flora, whereas in England they are commonly used only in proper names (such as [[Shepherd's Bush]] and [[Wormwood Scrubs]]).{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

====Aboriginal-derived words====
{{further|List of English words of Australian Aboriginal origin}}
Some elements of [[Australian Aboriginal languages|Aboriginal languages]] have been [[List of English words of Australian Aboriginal origin|adopted by Australian English]]—mainly as names for places, flora and fauna (for example [[dingo]]) and local culture. Many such are localised, and do not form part of general Australian use, while others, such as ''kangaroo'', ''boomerang'', ''budgerigar'', ''wallaby'' and so on have become international. Other examples are ''[[cooee]]'' and ''hard yakka''. The former is used as a high-pitched call, for attracting attention, (pronounced {{IPA|/ˈkʉːiː/}}) which travels long distances. ''Cooee'' is also a notional distance: "if he's within ''cooee'', we'll spot him". ''Hard yakka'' means "hard work" and is derived from ''yakka'', from the [[Turrubal language|Jagera]]/Yagara language once spoken in the Brisbane region.

The word ''bung'', meaning "dead" was originally a [[Turrbal language|Yagara]] word which was used in the [[pidgin]] widely spoken across Australia.<ref name=ludowyk2004>{{cite journal| url=https://slll.cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/andc/Ozwords%20Oct.%202004.pdf |date= October 2004 | volume= 11 |issue= 2| journal=Ozwords|title=Aussie Words: Of Billy, Bong, Bung, & 'Billybong' |page=7|last1=Ludowyk |first1=Frederick| author-link=Frederick Ludowyk| via=[[Australian National University]]| publisher=[[Australian National Dictionary Centre]]}} Also [https://web.archive.org/web/20160623044356/http://andc.anu.edu.au/pubs/ozwords/October_2004/Billy.html here]</ref>

====Places====
Many towns or suburbs of Australia have also been influenced or named after Aboriginal words. The best-known example is the capital, [[Canberra]], named after a local [[Ngunnawal language]] word thought to mean "women's breasts" or "meeting place".<ref>{{cite web|title=Canberra Facts and figures|url=http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Visitor-Info/Facts-and-figures.aspx|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109134755/http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Visitor-Info/Facts-and-figures.aspx|archive-date=9 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Frei>{{cite web |last=Frei |first=Patricia |title=Discussion on the Meaning of 'Canberra' |url=http://www.canberrahistoryweb.com/meaningofcanberra.htm |work=Canberra History Web |publisher=Patricia Frei |access-date=11 August 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927182307/http://www.canberrahistoryweb.com/meaningofcanberra.htm |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref>

====Figures of speech and abbreviations====
[[Litotes]], such as "not bad", "not much" and "you're not wrong", are also used.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

[[Diminutive]]s and [[hypocorism]]s are common and are often used to indicate familiarity.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Astle|first=David|date=12 March 2021|title=Why do Aussies shorten everything an itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bit?|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/why-do-aussies-shorten-everything-an-itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-bit-20210308-p578qe.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331125115/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/why-do-aussies-shorten-everything-an-itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-bit-20210308-p578qe.html|archive-date=Mar 31, 2022}}</ref> Some common examples are ''arvo'' (afternoon), ''barbie'' (barbecue), ''[[smoko]]'' (cigarette break), ''[[Aussie]]'' (Australian) and ''Straya'' (Australia). This may also be done with people's names to create nicknames (other English speaking countries create [[English diminutive|similar diminutives]]). For example, "Gazza" from Gary, or "Smitty" from John Smith. The use of the suffix ''-o'' originates in {{langx|ga|ó}},{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}} which is both a postclitic and a suffix with much the same meaning as in Australian English.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In informal speech, incomplete comparisons are sometimes used, such as "sweet as" (as in "That car is sweet as."). "Full", "fully" or "heaps" may precede a word to act as an intensifier (as in "The waves at the beach were heaps good."). This was more common in regional Australia and South Australia{{When|date=September 2014}} but has been in common usage in urban Australia for decades. The suffix "-ly" is sometimes omitted in broader Australian English. For instance, "really good" can become "real good".{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

====Measures====
Australia's switch to the [[metric system]] in the 1970s changed most of the country's vocabulary of measurement from [[imperial units|imperial]] to metric measures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.measurement.gov.au/measurementsystem/Pages/HistoryofMeasurementinAustralia.aspx |title=History of Measurement in Australia |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=web page |publisher=Australian Government National Measurement Institute |access-date=14 February 2013}}</ref> Since the switch to metric, heights of individuals are listed in centimetres on official documents and distances by road on signs are listed in terms of [[kilometre]]s and [[metre]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wilks|first1=Kevin|title=Metrication in Australia: A review of the effectiveness of policies and procedures in Australia's conversion to the metric system|date=1992|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|location=Canberra|isbn=0-644-24860-2|page=114|url=http://themetricmaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Metrication-in-Australia-built-2013-06-24.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://themetricmaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Metrication-in-Australia-built-2013-06-24.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|access-date=5 August 2017|quote=Measurements used by people in their private lives, in conversation or in estimation of sizes had not noticeably changed nor was such a change even attempted or thought necessary.}}</ref>

===Comparison with other varieties===

Where [[American and British English differences|British and American English vocabulary differs]], sometimes Australian English shares a usage with one of those varieties, as with ''petrol'' (AmE: ''gasoline'') and ''mobile phone'' (AmE: ''cellular phone'') which are shared with British English, or ''truck'' (BrE: ''lorry'') and ''[[eggplant]]'' (BrE: ''aubergine'') which are shared with American English.

In other circumstances, Australian English sometimes favours a usage which is different from both British and American English as with:<ref name="Fourth Edition 2005">"The Macquarie Dictionary", Fourth Edition.  The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, 2005.</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=16em|
* ''[[the bush|(the) bush]]'' (AmE and BrE: ''(the) woods'')
* ''bushfire'' (Ame and BrE: ''[[wildfire]]'')
* ''capsicum'' (AmE: ''[[bell pepper]]''; BrE ''(green/red) pepper'')
* ''[[Esky]]'' (AmE and BrE: ''cooler'' or ''ice box'')
* ''doona''  (AmE: ''[[comforter]]''; BrE ''duvet'')
* ''footpath'' (AmE: ''[[sidewalk]]''; BrE: ''pavement'')
* ''ice block'' or ''icy pole'' (AmE: ''[[Ice pop|popsicle]]'' BrE: ''ice lolly'')
* ''[[confectionery|lollies]]'' (AmE: ''candy''; BrE: ''sweets'')
* ''overseas'' (AmE and BrE: ''abroad'')
* ''peak hour'' (Ame and BrE: ''[[rush hour]]'')
* ''[[AC power plugs and sockets|powerpoint]]'' (AmE: electrical ''outlet''; BrE: electrical ''socket'')
* ''thongs'' (AmE and BrE: ''[[flip-flops]]'')
* ''[[ute (vehicle)|ute]]'' {{IPA|/jʉːt/}} (AmE and BrE: ''pickup truck'')
}}

Differences exist between Australian English and other varieties of English, where different terms can be used for the same subject or the same term can be ascribed different meanings. Non-exhaustive examples of terminology associated with food, transport and clothing is used below to demonstrate the variations which exist between Australian English and other varieties:

'''Food''' – '''''capsicum''''' (BrE: ''(red/green) pepper''; AmE: ''bell pepper''); '''''(potato) chips''''' (refers both to BrE ''crisps'' and AmE ''French fries''); '''''chook (sanga)''''' (BrE and AmE: ''chicken (sandwich)''); '''''coriander''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''cilantro''); '''''entree''''' (refers to AmE ''appetizer'' whereas AmE ''entree'' is referred to in AusE as ''main course''); '''''eggplant''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''aubergine''); '''''fairy floss''''' (BrE: ''candy floss''; AmE: ''cotton candy''); '''''ice block''''' or '''''icy pole''''' (BrE: ''ice lolly''; AmE: ''popsicle''); '''''jelly''''' (refers to AmE ''Jell-o'' whereas AmE ''jelly'' refers to AusE ''jam''); '''''lollies''''' (BrE: ''sweets''; AmE: ''candy''); '''''marinara (sauce)''''' (refers to a tomato-based sauce in AmE and BrE but a seafood sauce in AusE); '''''mince''''' or '''''minced meat''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''ground meat''); '''''[[prawn]]''''' (which in BrE refers to large crustaceans only, with small crustaceans referred to as ''shrimp''. AmE universally: ''shrimp''); '''''snow pea''''' (shared with AmE. BrE ''mangetout''); '''''pumpkin''''' (AmE: ''squash'', except for the large orange variety – AusE ''squash'' refers only to a small number of uncommon species; BrE: ''marrow''); '''''tomato sauce''''' (also used in BrE. AmE: ''ketchup''); '''''zucchini''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''courgette'')

'''Transport''' – '''''aeroplane''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''airplane''); '''''bonnet''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''hood''); '''''bumper''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''fender''); '''''car park''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''parking lot''); '''''convertible''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''cabriolet''); '''''footpath''''' (BrE: ''pavement''; AmE: ''sidewalk''); '''''horse float''''' (BrE: ''horsebox''; AmE: ''horse trailer''); '''''indicator''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''turn signal''); '''''peak hour''''' (BrE and AmE: ''rush hour''); '''''petrol''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''gasoline''); '''''railway''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''railroad''); '''''sedan (car)''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''saloon (car)''); '''''semitrailer''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''artic'' or ''articulated lorry''); '''''station wagon''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''estate car''); '''''truck''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''lorry''); '''''ute''''' (BrE and AmE: ''pickup truck''); '''''windscreen''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''windshield'')

'''Clothing''' – '''''gumboots''''' (BrE: ''Wellington boots'' or ''Wellies''; AmE: ''rubber boots'' or ''galoshes''); '''''jumper''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''sweater''); '''''nappy''''' (shared with BrE. AmE: ''diaper''); '''''overalls''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''dungarees''); '''''raincoat''''' (shared with AmE. BrE: ''mackintosh'' or ''mac''); '''''runners or sneakers (footwear)''''' (BrE: ''trainers''. AmE: ''sneakers''); '''''sandshoe''''' (BrE: ''pump'' or ''plimsoll''. AmE: ''tennis shoe''); '''''singlet''''' (BrE: ''vest''. AmE: ''tank top'' or ''wifebeater''); '''''skivvy''''' (BrE: ''polo neck''; AmE: ''turtleneck''); '''''swimmers''''' or '''''togs''''' or '''''bathers''''' (BrE: ''swimming costume''. AmE: ''bathing suit'' or ''swimsuit''); '''''thongs''''' (refers to BrE and AmE ''flip-flops (footwear)''. In BrE and AmE refers to ''g-string (underwear)'')

====Terms with different meanings in Australian English====
There also exist words which in Australian English are ascribed different meanings from those ascribed in other varieties of English, for instance:<ref name="Fourth Edition 2005"/>
* ''Asian'' in Australian (and American) English commonly refers to people of East Asian ancestry, while in British English it commonly refers to people of South Asian ancestry
* ''Biscuit'' in Australian (and British) English refers to AmE ''cookie'' and ''cracker'', while in American English it refers to a [[biscuit (bread)|leavened bread product]]
* ''(potato) Chips'' refers both to British English ''crisps'' (which is not commonly used in Australian English) and to American English ''French fries'' (which is used alongside ''hot chips'')
* ''Football'' in Australian English most commonly refers to [[Australian rules football]], [[rugby league]] or [[rugby union]]. In British English, ''football'' is most commonly used to refer to ''association football'', while in North American English ''football'' is used to refer to ''[[Gridiron football|gridiron]]''
* ''Pants'' in Australian (and American) English most commonly refers to British English ''trousers'', but in British English refers to Australian English ''underpants''
* ''Nursery'' in Australian English generally refers to a [[plant nursery]], whereas in British English and American English it also often refers to a [[child care]] or daycare for pre-school age children<ref>{{Cite journal |last=SCHLEEF |first=ERIK |last2=TURTON |first2=DANIELLE |date=2016-09-19 |title=Sociophonetic variation of like in British dialects: effects of function, context and predictability |url=https://doi.org/10.1017/s136067431600023x |journal=English Language and Linguistics |volume=22 |issue=01 |pages=35–75 |doi=10.1017/s136067431600023x |issn=1360-6743}}</ref>
* ''Paddock'' in Australian English refers to an open field or meadow whereas in American and British English it refers to a small agricultural enclosure
* ''Premier'' in Australian English refers specifically to the [[premiers and chief ministers of the Australian states and territories|head of government of an Australian state]], whereas in British English it is used interchangeably with ''[[Prime Minister]]''
* ''Public school'' in Australian (and American) English refers to a state school. Australian and American English use ''private school'' to mean a non-government or independent school, in contrast with British English which uses ''public school'' to refer to the same thing
* ''Pudding'' in Australian (and American) English refers to [[pudding|a particular sweet dessert dish]], while in British English it often refers to dessert (the [[course (food)|food course]]) in general
* ''Thongs'' in Australian English refer to British and American English ''flip-flop'' (footwear), whereas in both American and British English it refers to Australian English ''[[G-string]]'' (underwear) (in Australian English the singular "thong" can refer to one half of a pair of the footwear or to a G-string, so care must be taken as to context)
* ''Vest'' in Australian (and American) English refers to a padded upper garment or British English ''waistcoat'' but in British English refers to Australian English ''singlet''

====Idioms taking different forms in Australian English====
In addition to the large number of uniquely Australian idioms in common use, there are instances of idioms taking different forms in Australian English than in other varieties, for instance:
* ''A drop in the ocean'' (shared with BrE usage) as opposed to AmE ''a drop in the bucket''
* ''A way to go'' (shared with BrE usage) as opposed to AmE ''a ways to go''
* ''Home away from home'' (shared with AmE usage) as opposed to BrE ''home from home''
* ''Take (something) with a grain of salt'' (shared with AmE usage) as opposed to BrE ''take with a pinch of salt''
* ''Touch wood'' (shared with BrE usage) as opposed to AmE ''knock on wood''
* ''Wouldn't touch (something) with a ten-foot pole'' (shared with AmE usage) as opposed to BrE ''wouldn't touch with a barge pole''

====British and American English terms not commonly used in Australian English====
There are extensive terms used in other varieties of English which are not widely used in Australian English. These terms usually do not result in Australian English speakers failing to comprehend speakers of other varieties of English, as Australian English speakers will often be familiar with such terms through exposure to media or may ascertain the meaning using context.

Non-exhaustive selections of British English and American English terms not commonly used in Australian English together with their definitions or Australian English equivalents are found in the collapsible table below:<ref name="ReferenceA">"The Macquarie Dictionary", Fourth Edition. The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, 2005. Note: Entries with ''Chiefly British'' usage note in the Macquarie Dictionary and reference to corresponding Australian entry.</ref><ref name="The Macquarie Dictionary 2005">''The Macquarie Dictionary'', Fourth Edition.  The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, 2005. Note: Entries with ''Chiefly US'' usage note in the Macquarie Dictionary and reference to corresponding Australian entry.</ref>

British English terms not widely used in Australian English<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

{{div col}}

* '''Allotment''' (gardening): A [[allotment (gardening)|community garden]] not connected to a dwelling
* '''Artic''' or '''articulated lorry''' (vehicle): Australian English ''[[semi-trailer]]''
* '''Aubergine''' (vegetable): Australian English ''[[eggplant]]''
* '''Bank holiday''': Australian English ''public holiday''
* '''Barmy''': Crazy, mad or insane.
* '''Bedsit''': Australian English ''studio (apartment)''
* '''[[Belisha beacon]]''': A flashing light atop a pole used to mark a pedestrian crossing
* '''Bin lorry''': Australian English: ''[[rubbish truck]] or garbage truck''
* '''Bobby''': A police officer, particularly one of lower rank
* '''Cagoule''': A lightweight [[raincoat]] or windsheeter
* '''Candy floss''' (confectionery): Australian English ''[[cotton candy|fairy floss]]''
* '''Cash machine''': Australian English ''automatic teller machine''
* '''Chav''': Lower socio-economic person comparable to Australian English ''bogan''
* '''Child-minder''': Australian English ''[[babysitter]]''
* '''Chivvy''': To hurry (somebody) along. Australian English ''nag''
* '''Chrimbo''': Abbreviation for ''Christmas'' comparable to Australian English ''Chrissy''
* '''Chuffed''': To be proud (especially of oneself)
* '''Cleg''' (insect): Australian English ''horsefly''
* '''Clingfilm''': A plastic wrap used in food preparation. Australian English ''Glad wrap/[[plastic wrap|cling wrap]]''
* '''Community payback''': Australian English ''[[community service]]''
* '''Comprehensive school''': Australian English ''state school'' or ''public school''
* '''Cooker''': A kitchen appliance. Australian English ''[[stove]]'' and/or ''oven''
* '''Coppice''': An area of cleared woodland
* '''Council housing''': Australian English ''public housing''
* '''Counterpane''': A bed covering. Australian English ''bedspread''
* '''Courgette''': A vegetable. Australian English ''[[zucchini]]''
* '''Creche''': Australian English ''[[child care]] centre''
* '''(potato) Crisps''': Australian English ''[[potato chips|(potato) chips]]''
* '''Current account''': Australian English ''transaction account''
* '''Dell''': A small secluded hollow or valley
* '''Do''': Australian English ''party'' or social gathering
* '''Doddle''': An easy task
* '''Doss''' (verb): To spend time idly
* '''Drawing pin''': Australian English ''thumb tack''
* '''Dungarees''': Australian English ''[[overalls]]''
* '''Dustbin''': Australian English ''[[waste container|garbage bin]]/rubbish bin''
* '''Dustcart''': Australian English ''[[garbage truck]]/rubbish truck''
* '''Duvet''': Australian English ''[[duvet|doona]]''
* '''Elastoplast''' or '''plaster''': An adhesive used to cover small wounds. Australian English ''[[adhesive bandage|band-aid]]''
* '''Electrical lead''': Australian English ''electrical cord''
* '''Estate car''': Australian English ''[[station wagon]]''
* '''Fairy cake''': Australian English ''[[cupcake]]''
* '''Father Christmas''': Australian English ''[[Santa Claus]]''
* '''Fen''': A low and frequently flooded area of land, similar to Australian English ''swamp''
* '''Free phone''': Australian English ''[[toll-free telephone number|toll-free]]''
* '''Gammon''': Meat from the hind leg of [[pork]]. Australian English makes no distinction between gammon and ''ham''
* '''Git''': A foolish person. Equivalent to ''idiot'' or ''moron''
* '''Goose pimples''': Australian English ''[[goose pimples|goose bumps]]''
* '''Hacked off''': To be irritated or upset, often with a person
* '''Hairgrip''': Australian English ''hairpin'' or ''bobbypin''
* '''Half-term''': Australian English ''[[school holiday]]''
* '''Haulier''': Australian English ''[[hauler]]''
* '''Heath''': An area of dry grass or shrubs, similar to Australian English ''shrubland''
* '''Hoover''' (verb): Australian English ''to [[vacuum cleaner|vacuum]]''
* '''Horsebox''': Australian English ''[[horse trailer|horse float]]''
* '''Ice lolly''': Australian English ''[[ice block]]'' or ''icy pole''
* '''Juicy bits''': Small pieces of fruit residue found in fruit juice. Australian English ''[[pulp (juice)|pulp]]''
* '''Kip''': To ''sleep''
* '''Kitchen roll''': Australian English ''[[paper towel]]''
* '''Landslip''': Australian English ''landslide''
* '''Lavatory''': Australian English ''toilet'' (''lavatory'' is used in Australian English for toilets on aeroplanes)
* '''Lido''': A public swimming pool
* '''Lorry''': Australian English ''truck''
* '''Loudhailer''': Australian English ''megaphone''
* '''Mackintosh''' or '''mac''': Australian English ''[[raincoat]]''
* '''Mangetout''': Australian English ''[[snow pea]]''
* '''Marrow''': Australian English ''[[cucurbita|squash]]''
* '''Minidish''': A [[satellite dish]] for domestic (especially television) use
* '''Moggie''': A [[domestic short-haired cat]]
* '''Moor''': A low area prone to flooding, similar to Australian English ''swampland''
* '''Nettled''': Irritated (especially with somebody)
* '''Nosh''': A meal or spread of food
* '''Off-licence''': Australian English ''[[liquor store|bottle shop]]/Bottle-o''
* '''Pak choi''': Australian English ''[[bok choy]]''
* '''Pavement''': Australian English ''[[footpath]]''
* '''Pelican crossing''': Australian English ''pedestrian crossing'' or ''zebra crossing''
* '''Peaky''': Unwell or sickly
* '''(red or green) Pepper''' (vegetable): Australian English ''[[capsicum]]''
* '''People carrier''' (vehicle): Australian English ''[[minivan|people mover]]''
* '''Pikey''': An itinerant person. Similar to Australian English ''tramp''
* '''Pillar box''': Australian English ''[[post box]]''
* '''Pillock''': A mildly offensive term for a foolish or obnoxious person, similar to ''idiot'' or ''moron''. Also refers to male genitalia
* '''Plimsoll''' (footwear): Australian English ''[[plimsoll shoe|sandshoe]]''
* '''Pneumatic drill''': Australian English ''[[jackhammer]]''
* '''Polo neck''' (garment): Australian English ''[[polo neck|skivvy]]''
* '''Poorly''': Unwell or sick
* '''Press-up''' (exercise): Australian English ''[[push-up]]''
* '''Pushchair''': A wheeled cart for pushing a baby. Australian English: ''[[stroller]]'' or ''pram''
* '''Pusher''': A wheeled cart for pushing a baby. Australian English: ''[[stroller]]'' or ''pram''
* '''Rodgering''': A mildly offensive term for sexual intercourse, similar to Australian English ''rooting''
* '''Saloon''' (car): Australian English ''sedan''
* '''Scratchings''' (food): Solid material left after rendering animal (especially pork) fat. Australian English ''[[cracklings|crackling]]''
* '''Sellotape''': Australian English ''sticky tape''
* '''Shan't''': Australian English ''will not''
* '''Skive''' (verb): To play truant, particularly from an educational institution. Australian English to ''[[truancy|wag]]''
* '''Sleeping policeman''': Australian English ''speed hump'' or ''speed bump''
* '''Snog''' (verb): To kiss passionately, equivalent to Australian English ''pash''
* '''Sod''': A mildly offensive term for an unpleasant person
* '''Spinney''': A small area of trees and bushes
* '''Strimmer''': Australian English ''whipper snipper'' or ''[[string trimmer|line trimmer]]''
* '''Swan''' (verb): To move from one plact to another ostentatiously
* '''Sweets''': Australian English ''[[candy|lollies]]''
* '''Tailback''': A long queue of stationary or slow-moving traffic
* '''Tangerine''': Australian English ''[[mandarin orange|mandarin]]''
* '''Tipp-Ex''': Australian English ''white out'' or ''liquid paper''
* '''Trainers''': Athletic footwear. Australian English ''runners'' or ''sneakers''.
* '''Turning''' (noun): Where one road branches from another. Australian English ''turn''
* '''Utility room''': A room containing washing or other home appliances, similar to Australian English ''[[laundry room|laundry]]''
* '''Value-added tax (VAT)''': Australian English ''[[sales tax|goods and services tax (GST)]]''
* '''Wellington boots''': Australian English ''[[wellington boot|gumboots]]''
* '''White spirit''': Australian English ''[[white spirit|turpentine]]''
{{div col end}}

American English terms not widely used in Australian English<ref name="The Macquarie Dictionary 2005"/>

{{div col}}
* '''Acclimate''': Australian English ''acclimatise''
* '''Airplane''': Australian English ''aeroplane''
* '''Aluminum''': Australian English ''aluminium''
* '''Baby carriage''': Australian English ''stroller'' or ''pram''
* '''Bangs''': A hair style. Australian English ''fringe''
* '''Baseboard''' (architecture): Australian English ''skirting board''
* '''Bayou''': Australian English ''swamp''/''billabong''
* '''Bell pepper''': Australian English ''[[capsicum]]''
* '''Bellhop''': Australian English ''hotel porter''
* '''Beltway''': Australian English ''[[beltway|ring road]]''
* '''Boondocks''': An isolated, rural area. Australian English ''the sticks'' or ''Woop Woop'' or ''Beyond the black stump''
* '''Broil''' (cooking technique): Australian English ''[[Grilling|grill]]''
* '''Bullhorn''': Australian English ''megaphone''
* '''Burglarize''': Australian English ''burgle''
* '''Busboy''': A subclass of (restaurant) waiter
* '''Candy''': Australian English ''[[candy|lollies]]''
* '''Cellular phone''': Australian English ''mobile phone''
* '''Cilantro''': Australian English ''[[coriander]]''
* '''Comforter''': Australian English ''[[duvet|doona]]''
* '''Condominium''': Australian English ''apartment''
* '''Counter-clockwise''': Australian English ''anticlockwise''
* '''Coveralls''': Australian English ''[[overall]]s''
* '''Crapshoot''': A risky venture
* '''Diaper''': Australian English ''nappy''
* '''Downtown''': Australian English ''central business district''
* '''Drapes''': Australian English ''curtains''
* '''Drugstore''': Australian English ''[[pharmacy]]'' or ''chemist''
* '''Drywall''': Australian English ''plasterboard''
* '''Dumpster''': Australian English ''[[dumpster|skip bin]]''
* '''Fall''' (season): Australian English ''autumn''
* '''Fanny pack''': Australian English ''[[fanny pack|bum bag]]''
* '''Faucet''': Australian English ''tap''
* '''Flashlight''': Australian English ''[[flashlight|torch]]''
* '''[[Freshman]]''': A first year student at a highschool or university
* '''Frosting''' (cookery): Australian English ''icing''
* '''Gasoline''': Australian English ''petrol''
* '''Gas pedal''': Australian English ''[[Car controls#Throttle control|accelerator]]''
* '''Gas Station''': Australian English ''service station'' or ''petrol station''
* '''Glove compartment''': Australian English ''[[glove compartment|glovebox]]''
* '''Golden raisin''': Australian English ''[[sultana (grape)|sultana]]''
* '''Grifter''': Australian English ''[[con artist]]''
* '''Ground beef''': Australian English ''[[minced beef]]'' or ''mince''
* '''Hood''' (vehicle): Australian English ''bonnet''
* '''Hot tub''': Australian English ''[[hot tub|spa]]'' or ''spa bath''
* '''Jell-o''': Australian English ''jelly''
* '''Ladybug''': Australian English ''ladybird''
* '''Mail-man''': Australian English ''postman'' or ''postie''
* '''Mass transit''': Australian English ''public transport''
* '''Math''': Australian English ''maths''
* '''Mineral spirits''': Australian English ''[[white spirit|turpentine]]''
* '''Nightstand''': Australian English ''bedside table''
* '''Out-of-state''': Australian English ''interstate''
* '''Pacifier''': Australian English ''dummy''
* '''Parking lot''': Australian English ''[[parking lot|car park]]''
* '''Penitentiary''': Australian English ''prison'' or ''jail''
* '''Period''' (punctuation): Australian English ''full stop''
* '''Play hooky''' (verb): To play truant from an educational institution. Equivalent to Australian English (to) ''wag''
* '''Popsicle''': Australian English ''[[ice block]]'' or ''icy pole''
* '''Railroad''': Australian English ''railway''
* '''Railroad ties''': Australian English ''Railway sleepers''
* '''Rappel''': Australian English ''[[abseil]]''
* '''Realtor''': Australian English ''[[estate agent|real estate agent]]''
* '''Root''' (sport): To enthusiastically support a sporting team. Equivalent to Australian English ''barrack''
* '''Row house''': Australian English ''[[terraced house|terrace house]]''
* '''Sales tax''': Australian English ''[[sales tax|goods and services tax (GST)]]''
* '''Saran wrap''': Australian English ''[[Glad wrap|plastic wrap]]'' or ''cling wrap''
* '''Scad''': Australian English ''a large quantity''
* '''Scallion''': Australian English ''spring onion''
* '''Sharpie''' (pen): Australian English ''permanent marker'' or ''texta'' or ''felt pen''
* '''Shopping cart''': Australian English ''shopping trolley''
* '''Sidewalk''': Australian English ''footpath''
* '''Silverware''' or '''flatware''': Australian English ''[[cutlery]]''
* '''Soda pop''': Australian English ''soft drink''
* '''Streetcar''': Australian English ''tram''
* '''Sweater''':Australian English ''jumper''
* '''Sweatpants''': Australian English ''[[sweatpants|tracksuit pants]]/trackies''
* '''Tailpipe''': Australian English ''[[exhaust pipe]]''
* '''Takeout''': Australian English ''takeaway''
* '''Trash can''': Australian English ''[[waste container|garbage bin]]'' or ''rubbish bin''
* '''Trunk''' (vehicle): Australian English ''boot''
* '''Turn signal''': Australian English ''indicator''
* '''Turtleneck''': Australian English ''[[polo neck|skivvy]]''
* '''Upscale''' and '''downscale''': Australian English ''upmarket'' and ''downmarket''
* '''Vacation''': Australian English ''holiday''
* '''Windshield''': Australian English ''[[windshield|windscreen]]''
{{div col end}}