In Australian English, utility vehicles are almost always referred to in the diminutive as a ute.Flannelette shirts
Diminutive forms of words are commonly used in everyday Australian English. While many dialects of English make use of diminutives and hypocorisms, Australian English uses them more extensively than any other.[1][2] Diminutives may be seen as slang, but many are used widely across the whole of society.[1] Some forms have also spread outside Australia to other English-speaking countries.[3] There are over 5,000 identified diminutives in use in Australian English.[4][5][2]
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is well known for using Australian colloquialisms such as diminutives.
In other English dialects, diminutives usually imply smallness or have a childish connotation such as in 'birdie', 'doggy', or 'kitty'. While diminutives can be used in this way in Australian English, they are also used widely in a non-childish manner, with over 4,300 being recorded.[1][6] For example, bikie (amotorcycle, or motorbike club member), does not imply a bicycle in a small or childish sense as it may in other English dialects.
In Australian English, diminutives are usually formed by taking the first part of a word, and adding an ending such as a, o, ie, or y. Sometimes, no ending is added.[1] While the form of a diminutive is arbitrary, their use follows strict rules.[citation needed] Diminutives are not used creatively. For example, an ambulance paramedic is called an ambo, never ambie, or amba.
Some diminutives are almost always used in preference to the original form, while others are rarely used or restricted to certain groups or locations. The use of diminutives also evolves over time, with new words coming into use and others falling out of favour. Some diminutives have become so common that the original form has fallen out of common usage. For example, Salvos has begun to replace the name Salvation Army to such an extent that some Australians do not recognise the Salvation Army name.[7][8]Deli has become so universal that delicatessen is rarely used. Some words, such as ute, from utility vehicle, a car with a tray back, have become universal.
There is common usage of the diminutive forms of people's names; Hargrave → Hargie; Sharon → Shazza; Clark→ Clarky; Wilkinson → Wilko; John → Jonno; David → Davo; Hogan → Hoges; James → Jimmy → Jim → Jimbo; Benjamin → Ben → Benno; Barry → Bazza. This is usually a display of affection and acceptance rather than belittlement.[citation needed]
Organizations and businesses will often embrace the diminutives given to them by Australians, using them in their own advertising and even registering it as a trademark. McDonald's Australia, for example, has registered and uses the name Macca's, rather than the term McDonald's still seen on its restaurants in Australia.[9][10][11][12]
Some diminutives are rarely used, but widely recognised. For example, chalkie means teacher, but most Australians simply call a teacher a teacher.[citation needed]
Diminutives are often used for place names, and are only recognised by people in the local area, for example, cot for Cottesloe BeachinPerth, Parra for ParramattainSydney and Broady for BroadmeadowsinMelbourne. Even entire cities and States, such as Shepp for the major regional Victorian city of SheppartonorGong for the New South Wales coastal city/region of WollongongorTassie for the state of Tasmania.
Pub and hotel names in particular are often shortened. For example, pubs called the Esplanade Hotel, such as the Esplanade HotelinSt. Kilda, will often be called The Espy.[13]
The purpose of diminutives in Australian English is not well understood despite being a prominent part of Australian culture. Some research suggests that the use of diminutives serves to make interactions more informal, friendly and relaxed.[6] Linguist Anna Wierzbicka argues that Australians' use of diminutives reflects Australian cultural values of mateship, friendliness, informality, and solidarity, while downplaying formality and avoiding bragging associated with tall poppy syndrome.[1]
Records of the use of diminutives in Australian English date back to the 1800s. Older Australians tend to prefer diminutives with endings such a '-o' in smoko (a work rest break); however, younger Australians have begun to use endings such as -s as seen in totes (totally).[6]
Bikie, a member of a motorcycle club, with a connotation of involvement in criminal activity. This is equivalent to biker in other forms of English. A motorcycle club is called a bikie club. Outlaw motorcycle clubs may also be called bikie gangs.[18]
Blowie, a blowfly. A large buzzing fly common in Australia.
CenoorCenno, the Centrelink office. Also used to refer to a fortnightly payment (pension or otherwise) from the Centrelink office.
Chalkie, a teacher.[16] From chalk used on blackboards. Once also applied to employees of the Australian Stock Exchange who wrote stock prices on chalk boards prior to computerisation.
‡Footy, football,[4] which may refer to the sport of football, the ball itself, or a specific game. Generally, footy refers to Australian Rules Football in Southern and Western States or Rugby leagueinQueensland and New South Wales. Association football is either called footballorsoccer, but never footy. Rugby Union is called rugby, never footy. The Nine Network runs two longstanding variety television shows called The Footy Show; one for Aussie Rules, and the other for Rugby League.
Nasho, a conscript in the army. Derived from national service. Used especially around the Vietnam war. In the Army it was used in a derogatory sense.[23] The term has fallen out of use as conscription in Australia ended in the 1970s. Common use is now Nationality
‡Seppo, a pejorative term for an American. Seppo is a diminutive of septic tank which is in turn rhyming slang for yank, which is a diminutive of yankee.
‡Shottie, a shotgun; also the act of riding in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, sometimes announced as "I call shotgun/shottie", to indicate that a person has claimed this seat. Can also refer to the carb hole in a bong.
‡Sickie, a sick day, often with a connotation of there being insufficient medical reason for missing work[18]
Sicko, a psychology disturbed person, or someone who may be fanatically into horror movies
Smoko, a smoking break while at work. Since smoking has been banned in many workplaces, a smoko has come to mean any rest break at work.[42][43]
Townie, a townsperson; in contrast to bushie, a bushman
‡Trackies, track pants or a tracksuit. Track pants are also known as "trackie dacks", with "dacks" being a colloquial term for trousers.[18]
Tradie, a tradesperson
Traino, a train station
Trannieortranny, a car's transmission, or an electrical transformer, or an offensive word for a transgender person; also outdated slang for a transistor radio
‡Turps, alcohol, from turpentine, a toxic solvent historically used to adulterate gin. Usually used to say a person is "on the turps" (drinking heavily).[18]
U-ey ,U'ie (you-eee), as in "Chuck a u-ey" — to perform a U-turn (when driving a vehicle)[46]
UmpieorUmp, an umpire at a sporting game
‡Undies, underwear. This word is used widely outside Australian English.[47]
‡Uni, university
Ute, an abbreviation of "utility"; a passenger vehicle with a cargo tray in the rear. Festivals that involve gatherings of utes are popular in rural areas and are called ute musters.
^Garone, Adam (November 2011). "Healthier men, one moustache at a time"(Video with transcript). TED.com. TED Conferences, LLC. Retrieved 2 November 2014. So in Australia, 'mo' is slang for mustache, so we renamed the month of November 'Movember'.
