"Old mate over there just bought us a round!"
Where "Old Mate" Comes From
Grew naturally out of "mate," adding "old" the way you might affectionately call anyone "old son" or "old girl," regardless of actual age or familiarity.
It became a handy, slightly cheeky way to refer to a person indirectly, filling the gap when you don't know — or don't care to use — someone's actual name.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used constantly to describe a nameless third person in a story — "old mate over there just bought us a round!" is a completely natural way to refer to someone you've never met.
It's genuinely one of the most useful pieces of everyday Australian slang, sidestepping the awkwardness of not knowing (or forgetting) someone's name.
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