Where "Carton" Comes From
An everyday word for a cardboard case, extended to the case of beer (Green's Dictionary of Slang defines it as a case of 24 cans or bottles). Its earliest citation there is from 1993, so it is well established in Australian use by the late 20th century, though we can't pin down when it began.
“Dave's turning forty, so we're chipping in for a carton each.”
“He turned up with a carton under one arm and the whole yard cheered.”
"Grab a carton on your way over, we're short."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Roughly interchangeable with "slab", though "carton" is the more neutral/generic term.
A carton is the standard unit for a big beer order. If someone says they're bringing a carton to a barbecue, everyone understands it's a full case and a serious contribution. It's a practical word more than a joking one, so you'll hear it at the bottle shop, in party planning.
'Slab' is the more colourful near-synonym, and plenty of people use both without thinking about it. 'Carton' feels a bit more neutral, while 'slab' sounds slightly more casual and cheeky. Either can mean cans or bottles, and you can add the brand: a carton of tinnies, a carton of stubbies. Learner tip: it is only a noun for the case itself, so you buy, carry or shout a carton, and you drink the beer inside.
See also: Slab (the more casual word for the same thing), Tinnie (a can of beer), Stubby (a bottle of beer).
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