One of the oldest endings (found as far back as Anglo-Saxon times) is -ling.

Colloquialisms such as barbie and smoko are like accents – part of the glue that sticks Australian English speakers together.ĭiminutives can die out when they take on the burden of new social meanings. Adult Australians might cheerfully talk about blowies and trackies, but not birdies and doggies - well, unless it’s on the golf course or perhaps in reference to the Western Bulldogs getting a specky (spectacular mark).įor Australian National University linguist Anna Wierzbicka, these expressions are among the most culturally salient features of Australian English - expressions of informality and solidarity that are “uniquely suited to the Anglo-Australian ethos and style of interaction”.Įxperiments by Australian linguists have empirically confirmed the social effects of these embellished words. These “diminutives” are also a world away from the birdies and doggies of the nursery. Indeed, saying journo or pollie doesn’t usually indicate we’re thinking of journalists and politicians as small and endearing things. Certainly, on names, -ie/y and -o are often affectionate (think Susy and Robbo).īut the vast majority of Aussie diminutives are doing something different. Pet names with such endings can show we have a warm or simply friendly attitude toward something or someone (think of the -s on Cuddles). These alternative forms of words are often described as “diminutives” (or hypocoristics). Here’s an uplifting story for your hollies (holidays) about Australia’s “ incredible shrinking words”.

Where does pommie come from