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 NMA Homepage > Kids > Aussie English for the Beginner > Aussie English for the Beginner - HTML version > Abbreviations

Abbreviations

 
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Aussies are renowned for shortening or abbreviating words and expressions, often adding –o or –ie after the word has been abbreviated.

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A cartoon of a mosquito in a pair of thongs, carrying an esky, a bottle of beer and insect repellent.

Cartoon: David Pope

Mozzie

A mosquito.

Mozzie, first recorded in 1936, illustrates a distinctive feature of Australian English — the addition of -ie or -y to abbreviated words or phrases.

Other examples include: barbie 'barbecue', blowie 'blowfly', Chrissy prezzie 'Christmas present', cossie 'swimming costume', sickie 'a day's sick leave', budgie 'budgerigar', lippy 'lipstick', maggie 'magpie', U-ey 'U-turn', and sunnies 'sunglasses'.

> Hear the word mozzie in use (MP3 49kb)

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