Where “Cheerio” Comes From
A cheerio is a small, bright red sausage, similar to a cocktail frankfurt, served hot at kids’ parties with tomato sauce. The name matches the cheerful farewell word.
They’re usually bought in packs and heated, and they appear next to party pies, fairy bread and lollies.
“Grab a few cheerios from the tray.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
You’ll hear it at kids’ parties, school fetes and family barbecues.
In Real Life
No Australian kid’s party is complete without a platter of cheerios, party pies and sausage rolls. They’re eaten with the fingers and dunked in tomato sauce. For many adults, they’re a nostalgic food that brings back birthday parties. Some supermarkets sell cheerios in bulk packs, and cooks serve them hot from the oven.
Quick Questions
What is a cheerio?
A small red cocktail sausage, popular at parties.
Is cheerio just the greeting?
It’s also a goodbye word, but in Australia it often means the sausage.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: CHEER-ee-oh.
In conversation:
- Don’t eat all the cheerios.
- The kids love cheerios and sauce.
- Put some cheerios on the party platter.
Good to know: “Cheerio” is also an old-fashioned way to say goodbye, but in Australian food talk it means the little red sausage.
See also: Tomato Sauce, Party Pie and Sausage Roll
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