Traditional
Still common
Definition
Take a fake sick day from work.
Example Sentence
"Beautiful day - reckon I'll chuck a sickie."
Where "Chuck a Sickie" Comes From
Combines the very Australian verb "chuck" (to do or throw, as in "chuck a U-turn") with "sickie," itself a shortening of "sick day."
The phrase captures a distinctly Australian workplace culture that both jokes about and quietly tolerates the occasional strategically-timed day off.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used almost exclusively about faking illness to skip work, often for a nice day or an event — "beautiful day, reckon I'll chuck a sickie" is a very familiar sentiment.
It's said with a wink rather than any real guilt, treated as a minor, universally understood act of harmless rebellion against the working week.
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