AP77 guides and event descriptions are written in English, but Australian English has its own everyday words. If you are reading AP77 from Malaysia, you may come across terms that are not used at home, much as Australians would be puzzled by “tapau” or “lepak”. This glossary explains the ones you are most likely to see.
Time and plans
- Arvo: afternoon. “Saturday arvo” means Saturday afternoon.
- Brekkie: breakfast. A “brekkie meet-up” is a morning activity.
- Long weekend: a weekend with a public holiday on the Friday or Monday. Public holidays vary by state.
- Heaps: lots, very. “Heaps of fun” means a lot of fun.
Food and drink
- BYO: bring your own, usually drinks.
- Bring a plate: bring a dish of food to share.
- Barbie: barbecue. Public parks often have free electric barbecues.
- Shout: to pay for someone else. “It’s my shout” means “I’m paying”.
- Servo: a petrol station.
Places
- CBD: the central business district, or city centre.
- The bush: countryside or natural areas away from the city.
- Op shop: a charity second-hand shop.
- Bottle-o: a shop that sells alcohol.
Friendly expressions
- Mate: a friendly word for anyone, not just close friends.
- No worries: you’re welcome, or it’s fine.
- Reckon: think. “I reckon it’ll rain” means “I think it will rain”.
- Keen: interested or eager. “Are you keen?” means “do you want to come?”
Why this matters for AP77
AP77 is a social community, and a lot of what happens is relaxed conversation around an activity. Knowing a few local words makes it easier to read event descriptions and to join in. Nobody expects visitors to speak like a local, though, and asking “what does that mean?” is a good way to start a conversation.
Keep reading
New to AP77? Start with About AP77 and the AP77 FAQ. Browse more AP77 guides, check the official AP77 links, or return to the AP77 hub homepage.
Related reading for Malaysia: Panduan ringkas AP77 dalam Bahasa Malaysia · what Malaysian parents should know about AP77.
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