"See ya at smoko."
Where "Smoko" Comes From
Dates back to a time when cigarette breaks were a standard, expected part of the working day, particularly on farms, building sites, and in factories, with "smoko" formed by adding the classic Australian "-o" ending to "smoke."
It became the accepted name for the scheduled break itself, regardless of whether workers actually smoked during it.
How Aussies Actually Use It
The name has stuck even as smoking rates have fallen — "see ya at smoko" now just means the scheduled tea break, whether or not anyone's actually lighting up.
It remains a fixture of Australian workplace culture, especially on worksites, farms, and in trades, marking a well-earned pause in the day.
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