Aussie Slang Words Every ESL Learner Should Know

Have you ever heard someone say “no wuckers” or “grab the dead horse” in an Australian conversation and thought — wait, what?! Australian English is full of fun, quirky slang that can be confusing at first, especially for ESL learners. But don’t worry — in today’s post, we’re breaking down 7 real Aussie slang expressions that you’ll actually hear in everyday life.

🎥 Watch First: Aussie Slang Quiz

In this fun video, I sit down with Aussie English teacher Amanda to test my knowledge on real Australian slang. Can an American guess what “chockers” or “dead horse” means without any help?

👉 Watch the video first and try to guess each slang word!

Once you’ve tested yourself, scroll down for clear definitions, origins, and examples of each expression so you can start using them like a true Aussie!

Aussie Slang Words + Meanings

Now that you’ve watched the video, here’s a quick reference guide to each slang word we covered. These are real expressions you’ll hear in Australia, and they’re perfect for building your confidence in casual conversation.

1. Chockers

Meaning: Very full or crowded
Origin: Shortened from chock-a-block
Examples:

• “The beach was so chockers, I couldn’t find a park.”

• “I can’t close this lid — it’s chockers inside.”

2. No Wuckers

Meaning: No worries; everything’s fine
Origin: A spoonerism of “no f***ing worries” → “no wucking furries” → “no wuckers”
Example:

• “Thanks for helping me move!” → “No wuckers, mate!”

3. Dead Horse

Meaning: Ketchup (tomato sauce)
Origin: Rhyming slang — “tomato sauce” rhymes with “dead horse” in Aussie pronunciation
Example:

• “I’ll have a meat pie with dead horse, thanks!”

4. Durry

Meaning: Cigarette
Other Slang: Ciggy, smoke
Example:

• “Got a lighter for my durry?”

5. How You Going?

Meaning: How are you?
Note: Often confused by learners as a question about movement or location
Example:

• “Hey mate, how you going?” → “Good, thanks! You?”

6. No Worries / No Dramas

Meaning: Everything’s fine; no problem
Example:

• “Thanks for waiting!” → “No worries!”

7. She’ll Be Right

Meaning: It’ll all work out; everything will be okay
Example:

• “The car broke down, but she’ll be right.”

Ready to Sound More Aussie?

Australian slang can seem confusing at first, but once you start recognizing the patterns — like rhyming slang or shortened words — it becomes fun and memorable. Whether you're preparing for a trip to Australia, starting a new life as an immigrant, or just chatting with Aussie friends, these expressions will help you feel more confident, included, and connected.

Now that you know what “dead horse” and “no wuckers” mean, you’re already one step closer to sounding like a local and understanding real Australian English!

👇 Explore the resources below to keep building your Aussie English confidence

• 📘 Amanda’s Mini Slang Guide: Download here

• 🦘 American vs Aussie English Vocabulary Blog: Read it Here

• 🎧 Podcast Episode: Understanding Australian English & Culture: Listen & Watch Here