versatile

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Mate is the universal Aussie word—friend, enemy, warning, compliment, you name it. Tone does all the heavy lifting. A cheerful “mate!” means you’re legends together; a stretched out “maaaate…” means someone’s done something dodgy. It’s friendly, warm, sarcastic, aggressive, or supportive depending on the vibe. Aussies use it nonstop, even with strangers. If someone calls you mate, you’re either in their good books or about to get told off—flip a coin.

Listen here, mate… you’ve messed this up.

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“Bugger” is one of the Aussie language's most versatile Swiss-army-knife words. It can mean annoyance, sympathy, exhaustion, brokenness, or even a cheeky instruction to leave someone alone. Aussies love words that do multiple jobs, and bugger wears many hats brilliantly. Spill avo on yourself? Bugger. See someone else covered in avo? Poor bugger. Break your bathers after diving into a pool? They’re buggered. Deal with an annoying chore? What a bugger. It’s mild enough for general use but expressive enough to convey deep emotional disappointment—Aussie style.

Bugger! I’ve ruined me bathers again.