How to speak like an Australian Tradie
A guide to Australian Colloquialism and Tradies Slang
Australian slang and colloquialisms often confuse and mystify visitors and newly arrived residents, and I am sure some locals too.
It may annoy or endear us to those from other shores but it is something that remains and continues to grow even in this digital and global age.
Did you know the word “selfie” came from Australia? Sad but true.
But why do Australians use so much slang?
Although rhyming slang came with the Brits — 10 pound poms*, we are a slack bunch and continued this tradition, making it our own.
So we shorten everything and in most cases, add an extra syllable — either an ‘IE’, ‘O’ or a ‘Y’ to the end of the newly formed word.
This includes other peoples names and even our pets.
So if you are a Tradie you are expected to ‘know the joe’ (be in the know).
Whats a tradie?
The word tradie or derives from the word “tradesman.”
Tradesman who work in a trade or a job that requires particular skills are called Tradies — electricians, plumbers and carpenters have trade jobs.
We call these skilled workers tradies and include:
Sparky — an electrician
Bricky — a bricklayer or builder
Chippy — a carpenter (they make chips when the cut up wood)
Dunny diver — plumber (they fix toilets or in colloquial English ‘dunnies’)
Female ‘Tradies’ are now the norm too, this year alone there were more female than male ‘sparkies’ entering apprenticeships with one of our national electricity providers.
A tradie will also refer to other types of workers with aptly named titles such as:
Shiny bum — an office worker or executive (because they sit on their bottom all day so it gets shiny)
Desk driver — also an office worker or executive.
Both who work in an ‘ivory tower’ — a place where a shiny bum works and is separated from understanding what the ‘real’ people do.
Shrink — a psychiatrist
Doc — a medical doctor
Quack (particularly a disreputable doctor)
Garbo or garbologist — a garbage (rubbish) collector. Garbologist is a joke because it makes it sound like a sophisticated job.
Milko — a milkman who delivers the milk to your doorstep (not sure this job still exists)
Checkout chick — for a female cashier in a supermarket or shop
Useful tradie terms you will hear.
Give it a burl, shirl
This phrase means to try something that you haven’t done before, for example, if used in a sentence would go something like this —
“Nah, I haven’t tried the orbital sander yet but I will give it a burl.”
To decipher this phrase:
“No, I haven’t tried the orbital sander yet but I will give them a try.”
Gazza
Giving someone a nickname also is a right of passage and respect.. well mostly. If you are unfortunate enough to be named Gary, you will be nicknamed “Gazza” on any work site!
Grass cutter
If a tradie feels that another Tradie is moving in on his turf, he would use this term.
“Watch out ‘cause he’s a grass cutter.”
Thick as a brick
Meaning not very smart “That fella’s as thick as a brick.”
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
A favourite to describe a person of questionable intelligence.
“We had a new brickie working with us the other day. Don’t think he was the sharpest tool in the shed.”
Sharpest tool in the shed can also be replaced with “not the full quid.”
Quid is a term for money.
Servo
Service station or Petrol Station to fill up your ute.
Ute
A Ute is a utility vehicle with a tray behind the passenger compartment, not a truck but a standard vehicle. All tradies have Utes.
Other work-related slang you will here on the job. Australians may be considered laid back but we don’t tolerate anyone “having a go”.
Having a go
Taking advantage of someone.
“ He’s having a go at you” can mean he is pulling the wool over your eyes and ripping you off. It can also mean he is insulting you.
Gutless wonder
When a tradie uses this term “what a gutless wonder”, he is referring to someone as being a coward, a slacker.
Slacker or Bludger
Someone who is lazy is a Slacker or a Bludger. A person can have a Bludge or be Slack on the job.
“ I just feel like chuckin’ my trackie dacks on and havin a bit of a bludge”
Trackie dacks
Referring to the wonderful casual attire that should be banned — a Tracksuit or tracksuit pants.
Gunna
Short for ‘Going to’ or ‘going to the’ eg, Gunna to the beach?
You can also be a Gunna. For example, “He’s a Gunna”, he is going to do a lot of things but probably won’t.
The extent of the usage for the word Tradie in Australia can be seen everywhere.
Just google Tradie and you will get dozens a referenced from trade services websites, to products, to education sites, news pieces and researchers.
The word Tradie has been appropriated by many in advertising too.
There is a ‘tradies breakfast’ at our local hardware chain and ‘tradies lunch’ at some sports clubs and RSL clubs.
A range of tradies clothing, Men’s Workwear and Underwear — apparently ‘guaranteed to be Made Tradie Tough.’
You will hear tradies talk about a lot about food and drink.
Esky, Tinnie, On the Grog
All related to the after work rescue — afternoon refreshments.
Esky is an Australian brand of portable coolers, what you would put your food and drinks in and essential for tradies working onsite.
Tinnie or tinnys — a can of beer and used to advertise the famous Toohey’s New Beer or Victoria Bitter (VB) in the ‘70s.
Grog is slang for alcohol and being ‘On the grog’ means either you are either drunk or were drunk.
Macca’s
Short for Mcdonalds
Cuppa & a Biccy
A cup of tea and a biscuit
Avo
Avocado — If one more cafe has Smashed Avo (Avocado) I will go bonkers!
So there you have it, I am sure you can now feel conformable conversing with a Tradie, just need to understand the accent now!
*10 pound poms is an Aussie slang term for British migrates who came to Australia in the 1960s on an immigration policy to help populate Australia. They were charged a £10 fare to catch a ship to Australia and settle here.
