Australian Slang For Man (Explained!)

Australian slang includes some of the most well-known colloquialisms in the English-speaking world.

They have some of the most elaborate, and some of the simplest, slang of any of us.

One of the most basic parts of any slang is words to address a man—so what is Australian slang for man?

The most common Australian slang term for a man is bloke. This is more or less universal throughout the country, and you’ll hear just about anyone use it in any region. You might also hear the term ‘fella’, and perhaps even the term ‘dude’. But bloke is by far the most common.

So, if you ever hear an Australian talking about a “bloke”, now you know what they mean!

There’s a fair bit of interesting history associated with the term and its origins, so let’s look at that and a few other important questions around this slang term.

Let’s get started.

In This Article

What is Australian slang for man?

The most widely used and preferred slang term for a man in Australia is bloke.

This is what you can expect to hear someone call a man if they don’t use the term man.

Whether it’s someone you know or someone you’re not familiar with, the slang term is likely to be bloke no matter the context.

Bloke is also used in British English to refer to men colloquially.

I’ll get into the precise provenance of the term shortly, but it’s worth remembering this as British and Australian English often have more in common than American and Australian English.

But bloke isn’t the one and only way to refer to men in Australia.

Perhaps the next most common term is “fella”. In some ways, “fella” has come to be thought of as the quintessentially Australian slang term for man, if only because of Australian movies and television shows. It certainly is common, and many Australians do lose this.

But the connotations are slightly different, in a few very subtle ways.

Bloke is quite a lot more impersonal, and really a descriptor rather than a word you would use to address someone.

Fella, on the other hand, can in some contexts be a term of endearment and a way to refer to a friend. “Hey, fella, how’s it going?” for example. “Hey, bloke, how’s it going?” would not be a normal way to address someone.

Also, you might use the term “fella” to anthropomorphize an animal or pet, such as a household dog.

Whereas, again, you really wouldn’t do this with a person.

So, where does the word “bloke” come from?

Why do Australians say bloke?

It’s worth noting right away that in Australia, many sociologists have argued the Australian “bloke” is a key part of the national identity.

That the term embodies a unique masculine archetype.

So, in that way, it’s become more than simply a word. It’s someone who is unique to Australia.

That said, the term bloke as far as we can see originated in London slang in the 19^th Century.

There are a number of theories about its origin, though. One theory is that it derives either from the Romany language or the Shelta language, which is a language of Welsh and Irish travelers.

Here, loke is a man, and it is surmised that the B was added via English slang.

Some believe it rather derives from the Celtic word ploc, which means a bull-headed and large person.

It could also be a variation of another slang term, gloak, which was a further variation of buzzgloak, which meant a pickpocket.

In its earliest usage, it certainly did mean a criminal, and it eventually made its way into the naval slang of the period.

By this means it was then conveyed hence to Australia, where it initially meant someone’s boss.

It has undergone a lot of changes in meaning over the years, and it really has a much longer and more remarkable history than we can get into here. In any case, it has come down today to be a catch-all term for a man in Australia.

We don’t know the precise etymological origin of the word itself, but it’s clear to see how it traveled there.

Some, though, worry that it could be seen as an insult—is this the case?

Is bloke an insult?

No, bloke is not an insult in itself.

No one should be outright insulted by being called a bloke.

That said, it’s also not really an appropriate way to address someone to their face.

So, for example, you wouldn’t say “Hey, bloke!” if you were trying to get someone’s attention.

It’s more of an impersonal, third-person way to address someone. “Did you see that bloke over there?” for instance.

But it is not an insult.

Why do Australians say fella?

The origin of the term fella we can trace with a great deal more precision, although it’s less clear when precisely it entered the Australian vocabulary.

It originated in the Old English meaning “comrade” or “companion.”

As “fella” rather than “fellow”, it is first attested in 1864.

So, again, it’s likely it was spread to Australia through the naval slang of the 19^th Century, where it came simply to mean man or possibly a friend.

So, while you do have the options of “fella” and “dude,” these are simply far less common than bloke.

Bloke is the Australian slang term for man, with a couple of other less widely used examples.

It’s not an insult to call someone a bloke, although it’s also not really how you should address someone either.

A man is a bloke, but bloke is not their name!

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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