Aussie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal term used to refer to an Australian person, often conveying national pride or camaraderie
2. A colloquial expression identifying someone from Australia, typically reflecting familiarity or friendliness
3. A casual nickname for individuals originating from Australia, capturing a sense of identity and belonging

Etymology: Australian soldiers in the First World War are often credited with popularising "Aussie", but the word was already in use in Australian sport more than a year earlier. A 1913 Sydney sporting paper, The Referee, reported a rowing result and noted that the "heads" (rowing supporters) preferred to call the Australian crew "Aussie". The clipping of "Australian" plus the "-ie" ending was then spread internationally by the troops who fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. The spelling is an oddity. "Aussie" resembles an older personal nickname, a diminutive of names such as Austin or Augusta, which is pronounced with a voiceless "s" as in "fuss". The national word, however, is pronounced with a buzzing "z", as in "Ozzie". Writers doubled the "s" to keep the short stressed vowel from drifting into the sound of "ozzy", but the spelling still reflects the older pronunciation while speakers say it differently. Other Australian clippings such as "Tassie" and "brissie" follow the same pattern of "-ie" endings.

Synonyms: Australian, Aussie, down under