Traditional
Still common
Definition
A small pastry shell filled with something sweet like fruit, custard, or lemon curd — think a classic Aussie lemon tart, or the ever-popular Portuguese custard tart.
🎥 Watch
Where "Tart" Comes From
The word comes from the Old French "tarte," tracing further back to Late Latin.
Interestingly, "tart" was also old British slang for a woman, and it actually started in the 1860s as an affectionate term before it darkened in meaning decades later — a reminder that words can drift a long way from where they began.
Example Sentence
Mum brought a lemon tart to the barbecue for dessert.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used across Australia for any small sweet pastry, from a homemade lemon tart to a bakery custard tart.
The older, now-dated slang sense (a promiscuous woman) still exists but is much less common and best avoided.
🎓 Want to sound like a true Aussie?
Watch Down Under English on YouTube for real Australian pronunciation, slang lessons, and culture — taught by an Australian educator.
Watch on YouTube →