Diminutives in Australian English

Diminutive forms of words are commonly used in everyday Australian English. While many dialects of English make use of diminutives and hypocorisms, Australian English uses them more extensively than any other.^[1]^[2] Diminutives may be seen as slang, but many are used widely across the whole of society.^[1] Some forms have also spread outside Australia to other English-speaking countries.^[3] There are over 5,000 identified diminutives in use in Australian English.^[4]^[5]^[2]

Usage

In other English dialects, diminutives usually imply smallness or have a childish connotation such as in 'birdie', 'doggy', or 'kitty'. While diminutives can be used in this way in Australian English, they are also used widely in a non-childish manner, with over 4,300 being recorded.^[1]^[6] For example, bikie (a motorcycle, or motorbike club member), does not imply a bicycle in a small or childish sense as it may in other English dialects.

In Australian English, diminutives are usually formed by taking the first part of a word, and adding an ending such as a, o, ie, or y. Sometimes, no ending is added.^[1] While the form of a diminutive is arbitrary, their use follows strict rules.^{[citation needed]} Diminutives are not used creatively. For example, an ambulance paramedic is called an ambo, never ambie, or amba. Some diminutives are almost always used in preference to the original form, while others are rarely used or restricted to certain groups or locations. The use of diminutives also evolves over time, with new words coming into use and others falling out of favour. Some diminutives have become so common that the original form has fallen out of common usage. For example, Salvos has begun to replace the name Salvation Army to such an extent that some Australians do not recognise the Salvation Army name.^[7]^[8] Deli has become so universal that delicatessen is rarely used. Some words, such as ute, from utility vehicle, a car with a tray back, have become universal.

There is common usage of the diminutive forms of people's names; Hargrave → Hargie; Sharon → Shazza; Clark→ Clarky; Wilkinson → Wilko; John → Jonno; David → Davo; Hogan → Hoges; James → Jimmy → Jim → Jimbo; Benjamin → Ben → Benno; Barry → Bazza. This is usually a display of affection and acceptance rather than belittlement.^{[citation needed]}

Organizations and businesses will often embrace the diminutives given to them by Australians, using them in their own advertising and even registering it as a trademark. McDonald's Australia, for example, has registered and uses the name Macca's, rather than the term McDonald's still seen on its restaurants in Australia.^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]

Some diminutives are rarely used, but widely recognised. For example, chalkie means teacher, but most Australians simply call a teacher a teacher.^{[citation needed]}

Diminutives are often used for place names, and are only recognised by people in the local area, for example, cot for Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Parra for Parramatta in Sydney and Broady for Broadmeadows in Melbourne. Even entire cities and States, such as Shepp for the major regional Victorian city of Shepparton or Gong for the New South Wales coastal city/region of Wollongong or Tassie for the state of Tasmania.

Pub and hotel names in particular are often shortened. For example, pubs called the Esplanade Hotel, such as the Esplanade Hotel in St. Kilda, will often be called The Espy.^[13]

Purpose and history

The purpose of diminutives in Australian English is not well understood despite being a prominent part of Australian culture. Some research suggests that the use of diminutives serves to make interactions more informal, friendly and relaxed.^[6] Linguist Anna Wierzbicka argues that Australians' use of diminutives reflects Australian cultural values of mateship, friendliness, informality, and solidarity, while downplaying formality and avoiding bragging associated with tall poppy syndrome.^[1]

Records of the use of diminutives in Australian English date back to the 1800s. Older Australians tend to prefer diminutives with endings such as '-o' in smoko (a work rest break); however, younger Australians have begun to use endings such as -s as seen in totes (totally).^[6]

List of diminutives

This list contains noteworthy and commonly understood diminutives from Australian English.

Those marked ‡ are also common in other English dialects.^{[verification needed]}^{[citation needed]}

A

Abo or (more commonly) Abbo, an indigenous Australian. From Aboriginal. Considered offensive.^[14]^[15]
Acca Dacca, rock band AC/DC
Aggro, aggressive, aggravated or angry
Albo, Anthony Albanese, 31st prime minister of Australia
Alco or (less commonly) ‡Alkie, an alcoholic
Ambo, an ambulance paramedic
Apo or ape-o, from apeshit, meaning very angry or excited
Arvo or (less commonly) Arvie, afternoon^[4]
‡Avo, avocado
‡Aussie, Australian

Usage

Purpose and history

List of diminutives

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

See also

References