Quick Australian language lesson

Australia is a very verbally lazy country. They shorten pretty much every word and refuse to pronounce other letters completely (like 'r' at the end of words). Here's a little mental list I've been keeping:

Sunnies--sunglasses

Bikies--bikers, as in motorcycle gang members; Calling them "bikies" is a little deceptive, they are actually pretty dangerous and were responsible for a lot of gang violence back in the 1970's.

Truckies--long-haul truckers

Brekky--breakfast

Arvo--afternoon

Footy--football, usually rugby but it depends on where you are.

Swimmers/Cossies--swimwear; cossie is short for "costume"

Rellies--the "relatives", as in family

Stubbies--short running shorts or beers that come in short bottles

Uni--("you-knee") university

Schoolie--someone in grade school or high school; Their version of spring break here is called quot;Schoolies Week". All the kids flock to the Gold Coast and party. Remember, the drinking age is 18 here.

Unco—clumsy, oafish; short for uncoordinated

Povo--to look poor, cheap, etc., shortened form of "poverty" sort of; as in "I don't get paid until Friday so I've been eating Ramen noodles for lunch for work. I must look so povo."

Pressies--presents or gifts