Where “Righto” Comes From
Green’s Dictionary of Slang lists “righto” as an Australian adjective meaning excellent or admirable. This page is about that adjective, not the everyday “righto” you say to agree with someone.
Green’s gives only two dated examples, both from Australian newspapers: the Perth Sun. Times on 26 June 1910, and the Sydney Bulletin on 20 August 1914. It does not explain how the word came about, and it records no modern examples, so treat it as an old-fashioned word.
Source:
“That’s a righto little boat you’ve got there.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
Green’s lists a second sense, “favoured, admired”, and records only the two newspaper examples above. No modern use is recorded.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: RYE-toh.
In conversation:
- Righto, let’s get going.
- Righto, I’ll see you at six.
- Righto, who’s up for a cuppa?
Good to know: This page covers the old adjective meaning “excellent”. The “righto” you’ll hear today is the everyday way of saying “okay” or “all right”, as in the examples above.
See also: Ta, No worries, Too right, Cuppa
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