"I pulled a sickie on Friday."
Where "Sickie" Comes From
"Sickie" is simply "sick day" trimmed down and given the classic Australian "-ie" ending, referring to a day taken off work due to illness.
It took on its cheekier edge through the phrase "chuck a sickie" — taking an unauthorised day off while perfectly well — a well-known, if not exactly endorsed, part of Australian workplace culture, especially around big sporting events.
How Aussies Actually Use It
"Chuck a sickie" is the classic phrase — ringing in sick to work or school despite feeling perfectly fine, often to grab an unexpected day off.
It's usually said with a knowing wink rather than pride; everyone understands exactly what's really going on, even if nobody says it outright.
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