Cracking the code on Aussie slang: what is a ‘Larry Emdur’?

Rhyming slang has its origins in the idiom of the convicts, who concocted a secret ‘flash language’ so that the boss cockies – the judges and officials – couldn’t understand them. Here’s a guide to bring us up to date.

Thanks to Aussie slang, Larry Emdur’s name will live on, in immortality, long after his game shows, reality shows, Morning Show and even, quite possibly, his network have disappeared. Picture: Getty

New slang alert, for the glory that is our Aussie-flavoured language of the street. This one came to light after the Logies, courtesy of top gong winner Larry Emdur. He revealed in his acceptance speech that his children are chuffed his name has officially entered the lexicon as Aussie rhyming slang. “If you’re going on a bender,” he explained, “you’re ‘going on a Larry Emdur’.” Which means his name will live on, in immortality, long after his game shows, reality shows, Morning Show and even, quite possibly, his network have disappeared.

And so welcome to the pantheon, Larry Emdur, alongside a Barry Crocker (a shocker) and a Rosemary Follett (your wallet.) A Reg Grundy is your undies and a Germaine Greer your ear. Then there’s “doing a Harry” – as in Harold Holt, as in bolt. “I’m going for a captain” – Captain Cook, for a look. A Dad and Dave is a shave and don’t we all dream of chucking a Ruben Wiki – a sickie. A Johnny Raper is a newspaper, a Mal Meninga a finger, a Stuey Dew a spew and a Gary Ablett a tablet. Buckley’s is named after an escaped convict given no chance of survival, and Jack Lang is the slang name for slang itself.

Rhyming slang has its origins in the idiom of the convicts, who concocted a secret “flash language” so that the boss cockies – the judges and officials – couldn’t understand them. A “bug” was shorthand for an Englishman (labelled by the Irish, of course.) A “cracksman” was a house breaker. “Crap’d” was hanged. “Floor’d” was so drunk you couldn’t stand, and a “pebble” was a convict with appalling behaviour.

And now, to bring us completely up to the present, celebs from beyond these shores have also made the cut in terms of the ingenuity of our rhyming slang. A Britto is short for beers, ie Britney Spears. A “bit of Posh” (as in Posh and Becks) is sex. “Having a chat with Brad Pitt”? Well, guess. Then there are the company names that have crossed over into something else. A “Cadbury” is a lightweight drinker – because all it takes is a glass and a half. A Blundstone (as in a boot) is a ute.

A lovely reader has supplied me with some little rippers in terms of workplace nicknames: “Wicket Keeper” – because they don gloves and stand back. “Harvey Norman” – three years with no interest. “Sensor light” – only works if someone walks past. “Lantern” – not very bright and has to be carried. “Wheelbarrow” – rarely works without being pushed. “Cordless” – charges all night but rarely works for more than two hours. “Bushranger” – holds everyone up. “Showbag” – full of shit. And “Perth” – three hours behind everyone else.

New words and phrases are constantly, deliciously, sneaking into the language, reflecting the times we live in. New favourites: “Sittervising” – meaning, sitting down and watching your kids play in the playground, from afar, rather than endlessly hovering. And “purse nurse” – a younger woman attached to an older, wealthy man, and oh my goodness all the connotations in those two little words.

Then there’s the new slang that’s flavouring youth-speak right now; words that cannot be mentioned by anyone in this household older than a teen, on pain of eye-rolling death. But – deep breath – here I go: “You are the GOAT. Skibidi sigma, chat do you have rizz?” Loosely translated as, “You are the Greatest of All Time. So, crème of the crop, I’m talking to a bunch of ‘randos’ (random people) here. Do you have boundless charisma?” Is that lit?/does it slap? (Both meaning, is this good?) And is your room giving zen? Your vibes immaculate? And do you understand the assignment?

Dear reader of any Gen Other Than Alpha – the pressure, the pressure. Can you Adam and Eve it? Just don’t have a menty b (mental breakdown) in the comments under the online version of this column. Please.