The Sacred Tradition of the Aussie Barbecue
Having lived in Australia for over 30 years, one thing became clear to me very quickly: a barbecue down under is far more than just cooking food outdoors. It's a central cultural ritual. Whether it’s a weekend gathering in a leafy backyard, a casual meet-up at a public park, or a sunny day down at the beach, the BBQ brings friends, families, and neighbours together.
However, if you're new to Australia or visiting for the first time, walking into an Aussie BBQ can feel like entering a whole new linguistic world. Here are 10 indispensable slang terms you're guaranteed to hear around the grill.
1. Barbie & 2. Esky
First things first: in Australia, nobody puts a "shrimp on the Barbie" (in fact, Aussies call them prawns!). The grill itself is universally called the barbie. When someone invites you over for a "barbie this arvo," they are inviting you to a barbecue this afternoon.
Just as crucial as the barbie is the esky. An esky is a portable insulated cooler box filled with ice to keep drinks and meat chilled under the Australian sun. Originally a brand name (Esky), it has become the standard Australian word for any cooler box.
3. Snag & 4. Dead Horse
The undisputed king of the Australian barbecue is the humble snag — the sausage. A classic Aussie BBQ staple is the "snag in bread": a grilled sausage laid diagonally across a single slice of white bread, topped with fried onions and sauce.
Speaking of sauce, you might hear someone ask you to pass the dead horse. Don't be alarmed — this is classic Aussie rhyming slang for tomato sauce (ketchup)! While rhyming slang is less common among younger generations today, "dead horse" remains one of the enduring favourites at traditional barbies.
5. Chook & 6. Bring a Plate
If you don't fancy sausages, there's usually chook on the menu. "Chook" is the common Australian word for chicken. You'll often see marinated chicken wings or drumsticks cooking alongside the sausages.
When you get invited to a barbecue, the host will often tell you to bring a plate. Important safety tip for newcomers: this does not mean bringing a literal empty ceramic plate! It means bringing a dish or plate of food to share with everyone, such as a salad, dessert, or snacks.
7. Cold One & 8. Stubby
Standing around the barbie in the warm weather works up a thirst. You'll frequently hear people offered a cold one (a cold beer or refreshing cold drink). Beer in Australia often comes in small 375ml glass bottles known as stubbies (so named because they are shorter and stumpier than traditional longneck bottles).
To keep your stubby cold while holding it, you'll put it in a foam insulated holder known as a stubby holder — an essential accessory at any outdoor gathering.
9. Mozzie & 10. Fair Dinkum
As the afternoon turns into evening, outdoor barbies inevitably attract mozzies (mosquitoes). Having a can of insect repellent handy is practically mandatory during summer get-togethers.
Finally, if the host manages to grill the steaks to perfection or pulls off an amazing spread, you can pay them the ultimate Aussie compliment by declaring it fair dinkum — meaning genuine, authentic, and top quality!
Aussie BBQ Slang Quiz
Did you catch all the local nuances? Test your skills with this 3-question check!
🎓 Want to sound like a true Aussie?
Watch Down Under English on YouTube for real Australian pronunciation, slang lessons, and culture — taught by an Australian educator.
Watch on YouTube →