Sook

๐Ÿง‘ noun ยท People
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Traditional Still common
Definition
A crybaby or overly soft person.
Example Sentence
"Don't be such a sook, it's just a scratch."

Where "Sook" Comes From

Likely derived from "suck," an old English dialect term for a young, weak animal such as a suckling lamb, which evolved into a description of someone acting weak or overly sensitive.

The word travelled into Australian and New Zealand English and softened into its current, everyday sense of a crybaby or overly delicate person.

Word Type
Noun
Category
๐Ÿง‘ People
Origin
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australian English
Usage
Informal / Spoken
Era
Traditional

How Aussies Actually Use It

Used across the country for anyone who complains excessively over something minor โ€” "don't be such a sook, it's just a scratch" is classic, no-nonsense toughening-up talk.

It's common between mates, parents and kids, or teammates, usually delivered with a mix of exasperation and affection rather than genuine cruelty.

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