Traditional
Still common
Definition
A lively party or celebration.
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Where "Shindig" Comes From
Not Australian in origin — "shindig" is a much older piece of general English slang for a lively party or dance, likely American in origin, dating back to the 19th century. Australian English simply adopted it alongside its own words for the same idea.
It sits in the same loose party-word family as bash and knees-up — three different-sounding words that all mean roughly the same thing: a fun, energetic get-together.
Sources:
Example Sentence
"We're having a bit of a shindig for the housewarming."
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used for any festive, energetic gathering, from a backyard party to a bigger celebration.
It sits alongside similar words like "bash" and "knees-up" as a cheerful synonym for a party.
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