Australian Slang For Crocodile (Explained!)

The most common slang term for crocodile in Australia is simply “croc”. This is the one that is universally used and understood, thanks to its simplicity! There are a handful of other terms that are sometimes used, though, such as “flat dog,” “freshie”, “saltie” and “snapping handbag”.

Crocodiles are certainly a very numerous and common predator in Australia, and yet at the same time they probably play much smaller a role, if any, in the average Australian’s life than we tend to think.

For that reason, there are only a couple of widely used slang terms to describe them.

Let’s find out more.

In This Article

What do Australians call crocodiles?

For the most part, Australians just call crocodiles “crocs”.

This is by far the most common slang name for crocodiles that just about everyone in Australia either uses themselves or at least knows and understands.

Crocodiles are indeed very common in Australia—there are no alligators!

So, for that reason, most people are aware of them on some level, though they aren’t generally seen in cities or populated areas.

Thus, they are, for most people in Australia, a distant thought and not a part of their everyday lives.

“Croc,” then, suffices just fine for most people.

There are some other terms for crocodiles that are commonly used in Australia, though.

The two paired terms “freshie” and “saltie” are perhaps the next most common, though you’re probably a bit more likely to hear this one used by amateur or professional naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts.

I’ll explain why later. In any case, you will probably be understood if you use these ones, but as you’ll see, both can’t be applied to any crocodile—they are more specific than that.

“Flat dog” is a common expression that is gaining popularity and has been in recent years.

That said, it’s still nowhere near as universal or common as “croc,” and generally just something used as a joke rather than a habitual slang term for the animal.

That said, it’s somewhat intuitive so many will understand the meaning anyway.

Finally, one other way you may hear crocodiles referred to by Australians is “snapping handbag”.

Despite the fact, crocodiles are mostly protected animals now, depending on where you are, and you can’t hunt them without a permit, they are still known in relation to how they used to be used.

Where do all these terms come from?

Why do Australians say “croc”?

“Croc” is simply a shortening of the word crocodile, and such abbreviations are extremely common in any form of slang.

Tracing the origin of such a term, then, becomes incredibly difficult.

It was probably in use by the earliest Australians, since they would all have been aware of the crocodile danger.

It dates back to at least the 19^th Century.

Why do Australians say “freshie”?

“Freshie” is a specific slang term for a freshwater crocodile. Crocodiles can be both fresh and saltwater animals, depending on the specific species.

Freshwater crocodiles, naturally, tend to live in rivers and lakes.

As I said, this is more likely to be a term used by naturalists or wildlife enthusiasts, but again most Australians will still understand what you mean by this.

Again, it’s very hard to say when it first came into use.

Naturalism in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries was a burgeoning science, so the term probably dates back to a time when it first became necessary to distinguish the two kinds of crocodiles.

Why do Australians say “saltie”?

Naturally, then, if a “freshie” is a fresh water crocodile, a “saltie” is a saltwater crocodile.

Saltwater crocs, as the name implies, tend to live in saltwater habitats, but they can also be found in wetlands and freshwater rivers.

A “saltie” is just one of these crocodiles.

Of course, if a saltwater crocodile is living in a freshwater river, most will not realize it is a saltwater crocodile.

So, this one isn’t that common, since it’s reserved to people who can tell by looking at it whether a croc is salt or freshwater.

Why do Australians say “flat dog”?

“Flat dog” is an expression that has gained popularity, as I said, in more recent years.

It is a joke slang term which means exactly what it sounds like: crocodiles simply look like “flat dogs”.

This one is used in other parts of the world where crocodiles live, such as Rhodesia.

Why do Australians say “snapping handbag”?

Calling a crocodile a “snapping handbag” is a reference to the fact that crocodiles were once so commonly hunted for their skin to make handbags.

Though such practice has fallen out of fashion now, the memory of it still remains and so this is still quite a common slang term for crocodile.

As I said, crocodiles today are mostly protected, and hunting them is illegal without a permit or period.

But this is a relatively recent development, and so the language has not quite caught up yet!

That said, this is nowhere near as common as “croc” in Australia.

So, if you’re looking for a slang term that will be understood no matter where you are in Australia or to whom you’re speaking, “croc” will do just fine.

It’s simple and everyone either uses it themselves or at least knows what it means, so you aren’t in any danger of not being understood.

Some other clever terms are certainly used, like “snapping handbag” or “freshie,” but you’re more likely to be bet with a confused glance if you use these terms.

More in Australian Slang

Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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