Australian insults and rude words

Rude

• BloodyRudeMild but rude, and not an insult. Leave it out with clients and in writing: say very cold, not bloody cold.
• BoganRudeA label that judges someone's class and taste. It can sting; describe what the person does instead.
• BuggerRudeA mild swear word, said alone when something goes wrong. Say oh no or damn it in front of clients.
• DrongoRudeA mild, dated insult for a fool. Say silly mistake or I made a mistake instead.
• GalahRudeA mild insult that means a silly person. Say silly or careless, or leave the person's mistake out of it.
• Get stuffedRudeA rude way to refuse or tell someone to go away. Say no, thanks or I'd rather not.
• MongrelRudeA strong insult for someone mean or cruel. Say that was unfair or I did not like what he did.
• PissedRudeA crude word for drunk, with a different meaning in the US. Say drunk or had too much to drink.
• RatbagRudeA mild insult for an annoying or unreliable person. Say he is not reliable, or just describe what he did.
• RootRudeA crude word for sex that catches many visitors out. About a team, say barrack for or support, not root for.

Words to avoid and what to say instead

• Bloody Leave it out: say very cold or really good, not bloody cold.
• Bogan Say what you mean: loud, casual, plain or old-fashioned. Or leave the label out.
• Bugger Say oh no, damn it or that is annoying.
• Drongo Say that was a silly mistake, or I made a mistake.
• Galah Say silly or careless, or say nothing about the person at all.
• Get stuffed Say no, thanks, I'd rather not, or please leave me alone.
• Mongrel Say that was unfair, or I did not like what he did.
• Pissed Say drunk or had too much to drink. For angry, say annoyed or upset.
• Ratbag Say he is not reliable, or describe what he did.
• Root About a team, say support or barrack for. Do not say root for.

How this list is arranged

This page is for understanding, not for collecting insults. The ten words above work in different ways. Some are mild and playful, like galah and ratbag, and some are crude, like root.

A few are not insults at all but swear words people say when something goes wrong. All ten are marked rude in the main list because they can upset a person who is not expecting them.

Why it matters: a word that is a joke between friends can feel like an attack from a stranger, a new colleague or a customer.

The same words in a job interview, a letter or a classroom could cost you a good first impression.

The safe plan is to learn what they mean when you hear them. Notice who says them to whom. Keep them out of your own speech until you know the group.

No slur is listed here. A slur targets a person for their race, religion, sexuality, disability or country, and it hurts people whatever the speaker meant.

EasySay leaves those words out on purpose, so if you meet one, treat it as serious and do not repeat it. If you are not sure, ask a trusted friend or teacher what to say instead.

The block above pairs each word with plain words that are safe to say. In most cases saying what you mean works better: tell people what happened or how you feel, and leave out the label. This page carries no adverts, and nothing on it asks you to say any of these words.