Keeping Kiwi Slang Alive
Thank you for your vote - please come back another time to vote again.
McGregor's are proud of our choice baked goods, we are also just as proud to support our kiwi heritage by keeping kiwi slang alive.
Vote for your favourite Kiwi slang and every year in the week before ANZAC weekend we will hold the 'Keeping Kiwi Slang Alive' Awards.
Just click on your favourite phrase and your vote will appear automatically.
If you think you have a new piece of Kiwi slang that's not already listed on this website, submit your new piece of slang now and vote away, see how your Kiwi Slang performs at the annual awards.
It’s as easy as pie.
The Slang Rank Votes
     
Bit green behind the ears
Don't know what they're doing
1 3240
     
arse over tit
Head over heels
2 3189
     
Maori Roast
Fish and Chips
3 3123
     
Shank’s pony
Walking
4 3037
     
Mate rates
A cheaper price for a friend
5 3035
     
Making a mountain out of a molehill
Making a big deal out of something small
6 3022
     
Kill two birds with one stone
Do two things with one action
7 2950
     
Pull the pin
Stop doing something
8 2949
     
Cheap as chips
Doesn't cost much
9 2941
     
You make a better door than a window
said by someone standing in the way
10 2903
     
From whoa to go
From start to finish
11 2884
     
wai wai express
walking
12 2863
     
Rattle your dags:
To hurry up
13 2846
     
Half Pai
Putting little effort in, not interested
14 2829
     
Wop-Wops
Middle of nowhere
15 2774
     
One can short of a sixpack
a bit thick or crazy
16 2772
     
Six of one and half a dozen of the other
Same
17 2763
     
Wouldn't know shit from clay
Naive or stupid person
18 2746
     
Off Like A Robber's Dog
Really taking off
19 2731
     
Freeze the balls off a brass monkey
Very Cold
20 2726
     
AS USEFULL AS AN ASHTRAY ON A MOTORBIKE
USELESS
21 2722
     
Out of the blue
By suprise
22 2707
     
Miss goodie two shoes
Some one who is always well behaved
23 2688
     
AS USELESS AS TITS ON A BULL
USELESS
24 2686
     
a hot bit of crumpit
a pritty woman
25 2685
     
Kill two birds with one stone
Get two things done at once
26 2672
     
wig wong for a gooses bridle
something that doesn't do anything, no known use
27 2670
     
Can you spare it man?
Is that the best you can do?
28 2667
     
Good as gold
29 2657
     
wee bit of fluff
see "crumpit"
30 2657
     
A glass and a half and you're on your arse.
Said to someone who gets drunk easily.
31 2656
     
Built like a brick shithouse
A solid framed person
32 2654
     
see ya round like a record
catch up later
33 2648
     
Piss holes in the snow
Barely visible
34 2625
     
Chip off the old block
A child that is similar to their parent/s
35 2619
     
Get off the grass
disbelief, similar to "stop pulling my leg"
36 2593
     
good as gold
i've done it, i understand
37 2593
     
Polished off
To finish eating, quickly
38 2593
     
rings a bell
sounds familiar
39 2588
     
Sammy short of a picnic
a bit thick, or crazy
40 2578
     
piece of piss
it's easy
41 2575
     
Much of a muchness
Same
42 2562
     
As rare as rocking horse shit
rare
43 2561
     
Daylight robbery
Very Expensive
44 2551
     
You Manis
bit of a wally, done something stupid
45 2541
     
Shit a brick
exclamation of suprise or annoyance
46 2513
     
blue ass fly havin a convulsion
too fast slow down
47 2508
     
sweet as
everything is ok
48 2476
     
Couldnt organise a piss up in a brewery
unorganised, useless
49 2457
     
he's a bit of a dag
he's a character
50 2428
     
Bite your bum
Go away, get lost
51 2419
     
blow off some steam
have a moan about something thats riling you
52 2418
     
chew the fat
have a bit of a yarn
53 2417
     
Maori Overdrive
throwing a car into neutral going down a steep hill
54 2410
     
it's all good
everything is organised
55 2406
     
butchers hook
wont be happy
56 2367
     
Crib
bach
57 2353
     
Bach
holiday home
58 2347
     
Arvo
afternoon
59 2339
     
Good nick
good condition
60 2339
     
Guts for garters
In big trouble
61 2335
     
Bobs your uncle
All done.
62 2328
     
Down the gurgler
failed plan
63 2323
     
The early bird catches the worm
Get in early or miss out
64 2316
     
dodgy
bad, unreliable, not good
65 2277
     
Wouldn't know them from a bar of soap
I do not know this person, similar to I wouldn't know them from Adam
66 2270
     
Brickie
bricklayer
67 2257
     
Bungy
elastic strap, as in bungy jumping
68 2249
     
Chippy
builder, carpenter
69 2246
     
Rust bucket
decrepit motor car
70 2221
     
Big Smoke
large town or city
71 2218
     
Shandy
drink made with lemonade and beer
72 2210
     
you can bet your bottom dollar
you can be sure of that
73 2205
     
Loo
bathroom, toilet
74 2200
     
Scroggin
trampers high energy food including dried fruit and nuts
75 2188
     
Duvet
duilt, doona
76 2182
     
Sparrow Fart
very early in the morning, sunrise
77 2174
     
Handle
pint of beer
78 2170
     
Skite
to boast, boasting, bragging
79 2169
     
Cast
immobilised, unable to get to your feet
80 2166
     
Knackered
exhausted, tired, lethargic
81 2161
     
Pram
baby stroller, baby pushchair
82 2161
     
Rellies
relatives, family
83 2157
     
Chook
chicken
84 2152
     
Ads
tv commercials, advertisements
85 2151
     
Pong
bad smell, stink
86 2150
     
Cheerio
mane for a cocktail sausage
87 2148
     
Mad as a meat axe
very angry or crazy
88 2142
     
Barbie
barbeque
89 2138
     
Piss around
waste time, muck around
90 2136
     
Bitser
mongrel dog
91 2134
     
Bit of a dag
hard case, comedian, person with character
92 2133
     
Sparkie
electrician
93 2133
     
Cockie
farmer
94 2130
     
Motorway
freeway
95 2129
     
Sunnies
sunglasses
96 2129
     
Offsider
an assistant, someones friend as in we saw him and his offsider going down the road
97 2127
     
Root
have sex, get sex
98 2127
     
Chick
woman/female
99 2126
     
Yack
to have a conversation with a friend, to talk
100 2124
     
Pushing up daisies
dead and buried
101 2122
     
Cotton buds
Q-tips
102 2121
     
Brown eye
to flash your naked butt at someone
103 2120
     
Up the duff
pregnant
104 2118
     
Bring a plate
means bring a dish of food to share
105 2117
     
Shit a brick
exclamation of surprise or annoyance
106 2116
     
Maori
indigenous people of New Zealand
107 2113
     
Pub
bar or hotel that serves liquor
108 2113
     
Tramping
hiking
109 2106
     
Sook
cry baby, wimp
110 2105
     
Ring
to telephone somebody, as in "i'll give you a ring"
111 2102
     
Strapped for cash
low on cash. no money
112 2102
     
On the never never
paying for somthing using layby, not paying straight away
113 2099
     
Jumper
sweater, jersey
114 2095
     
Ropeable
very angry
115 2095
     
Boy-racer
name given to young man who drives a fast car with a loud stereo
116 2093
     
Full tit
going very fast, using all your power, as in "he was running full tit"
117 2092
     
Lurgy
flu
118 2092
     
Banger
sausage, as in bangers and mash
119 2091
     
Sprog
child
120 2089
     
OE
Overseas Experience, many students go on their OE after finishing university, see the world
121 2088
     
Laughing gear
mouth, as in wrap your laughing gear around this
122 2086
     
Lift
elevator
123 2086
     
Scull
consume, drink quickly
124 2083
     
Hoon
young adult fast driver
125 2082
     
Caravan
mobile home that tows behind car
126 2077
     
Nana
grandmother, grandma
127 2077
     
Squiz
take a quick look
128 2077
     
Ta
thanks
129 2077
     
Bloke
man
130 2076
     
Home and hosed
safe, successfully finished
131 2076
     
Nappy
diaper
132 2074
     
Sunday driver
someone who drives very slow
133 2070
     
Kiwi
new zealander
134 2069
     
Hollywood
to fake oe exaggerate an injury on the sportsfield
135 2068
     
Creek
small stream
136 2066
     
Hard case
amusing, funny person
137 2063
     
Rubbish
garbage, trash
138 2063
     
North Cape to the Bluff
from one end of New Zealand to the other
139 2062
     
Sickie
to take a day off work or school because you are sick
140 2061
     
Rattle your dags
hurry up, get moving
141 2060
     
Sheila
slang for woman/female
142 2060
     
Chocka
full, overflowing
143 2058
     
Cuppa
cup of tea, as in cuppa tea
144 2058
     
Flog
steal, rob
145 2058
     
pisshead
someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, heavy drinker
146 2057
     
How's it going mate?
kiwi greeting
147 2055
     
Rark up
telling somebody off
148 2053
     
Spud
potato
149 2051
     
Panel Beater
auto repair shop, panel shop
150 2049
     
Shoot through
to leave suddenly
151 2048
     
Bugger
damn!!
152 2046
     
Hottie
hot water bottle
153 2044
     
Good on ya mate!
congradulations, well done, proud of someone
154 2043
     
Iceblock
popsicle, ice stick
155 2043
     
Chunder
vomit, throw up
156 2042
     
Ear bashing
someone talking incessantly
157 2040
     
Dole
unemployment benefit
158 2039
     
Jandal
thongs, sandles. flip-flops
159 2039
     
Tea
evening meal, dinner
160 2039
     
Entree
appetizer, hors d'oeurve
161 2038
     
piss up
party, social gathering, excuse for drinking alcohol
162 2037
     
Serviette
paper napkin
163 2036
     
Shark and taties
fish and chips
164 2035
     
Ding
small dent in vehicle
165 2034
     
Fizz Boat
small power boat
166 2030
     
Kick the Bucket
die
167 2029
     
Perve
to stare
168 2026
     
De facto
mane used for a couple who are not married but are living together
169 2025
     
Good as gold
feeling good, not a problem, yes
170 2022
     
Home and hosed
heavy rain
171 2022
     
Pissed off
annoyed, angry, upset
172 2022
     
Greasies
fish and chips
173 2021
     
Dunny
toilet, bathroom, lavatory
174 2019
     
Stubby
small glass of beer
175 2019
     
Scarce as hens teeth
very scarce, rare
176 2018
     
Aotearoa
Maori name for New Zealand, meaning long white cloud
177 2017
     
Drongo
stupid fool, idiot
178 2017
     
Footie
rugby union or league, as in 'going to watch the footie'
179 2014
     
Chuddy
chewing gum
180 2013
     
Anklebiter
toddler, small child
181 2010
     
Going bush
take a break, become reclusive
182 2010
     
Tiki tour
scenic route, take the long route
183 2010
     
Hard yakka
hard work
184 2008
     
Wop-wops
situated off the beaten track, out of the way location
185 2007
     
Petrol
gasoline, gas
186 2006
     
Chips
deep fried slices of potato but thicker than a french fry
187 2005
     
Quack
Medical doctor
188 2002
     
Get the willies
overcome with trepidation
189 2001
     
Pack a sad
bad mood, ill-humoured, broken, as in "she packed a sad"
190 1998
     
Pikelet
small pancake usually had with jam and whipped cream
191 1996
     
Happy as larry
very happy
192 1994
     
L&P
fizzy soda water
193 1994
     
Tights
pantyhose
194 1994
     
Cuz
cousin, family
195 1993
     
pudding
dessert
196 1992
     
Take-aways
food to be taken away and eaten, fast food outlet
197 1990
     
Pinky
little finger
198 1988
     
Wally
Clown, silly person
199 1985
     
Pav
pavlova, dessert usually topped with kiwifruit and cream
200 1983
     
Postal code
zip code
201 1982
     
Scarfie
university student
202 1982
     
Chrissy pressies
christmas presents
203 1981
     
Flicks
movies, picture theatre
204 1981
     
Kiwifruit
brown furry skinned friut, zespri, chinese gooseberry
205 1980
     
Long drop
outdoor toilet, hole in ground
206 1976
     
Gumboots or gummies
rubber boots, wellingtons
207 1973
     
Twink
white-out
208 1972
     
Flat
apartment, name for rental accomodation that is shared
209 1966
     
Open slather
a free-for-all
210 1966
     
Plonk
cheap liquor, cheap wine
211 1964
     
Judder Bar
speed bump
212 1959
     
Naff off
go away, get lost. leave me alone
213 1959
     
Randy
horny, wanting sex
214 1956
     
Torch
flashlight
215 1955
     
Mate
buddy
216 1953
     
G'day
universal kiwi greeting, also spelled gidday
217 1951
     
Main
primary dish of a meal
218 1948
     
Fizzy drink
soda pop
219 1947
     
Oldies
parents
220 1943
     
Cheers
thanks
221 1942
     
Pakeha
non maori person
222 1938
     
Wobbly
to have a tantrum
223 1938
     
Togs
swimsuit, bathing costume
224 1937
     
Cardi
cardigan
225 1933
     
Drop your gear
take your clothes off, get undressed
226 1931
     
Old Bomb
old car
227 1928
     
Ute
small pick up truck
228 1927
     
Flannel
wash cloth, face cloth
229 1926
     
Piker
someone who gives up easy, slacker
230 1926
     
Piece-of-piss
easy,not hard to do, as in "didnt take me long to do, was a piece of piss"
231 1922
     
Snarler
sausage
232 1922
     
Shout
to treat. to buy somthing for someone, as in "lunch is my shout"
233 1917
     
Veges
Vegetables
234 1907
     
Steinie
bottle od Steinlager, brand lager
235 1903
     
On the Rott
Getting drunk, drinking alcahol
236 1879
     
Lolly
Candy
237 1871
     
Whinge
complain, moan
238 1837
     
Knuckle sandwhich
a fist in the teeth, punch in the mouth
239 1807
     
Knock back a couple of bevvies
Have a few drinks; drink a couple of beers
240 1792
     
HOOK US UP BRO!
Pay for our feed and i will be your mate(eg brother,mate or cousin).
241 1761
     
Out of two, I'd give her one
She's beautiful
242 1751
     
crash hot
excellent
243 1724
     
like pushing shit up hill with a pointy stick
getting no where
244 1703
     
She'll be right
Everything will be okay, not a problem
245 1696
     
as dry as a woodpeckers fart
ready for a beer
246 1687
     
choice
brilliant, awesome, or just really good.
247 1673
     
Good on ya mate!
Thanks, nice one.
248 1670
     
Arse about face
Back to front
249 1653
     
Cold as a Frog's Tit
its cold
250 1526
     
Before your time
Well before you were born mate
251 1513
     
kia ora cuz
greeting often used in NZ from one person to another when they are cousins (now more widely used even if they are just a relative or friend)
252 1507
     
Off Like a Brides Nighty...
I'm leaving
253 1505
     
as cold as a witches tit
pretty cold
254 1501
     
Hubby
Partner
255 1500
     
Off like a trailer full of prawns on a summers day
I'm leaving
256 1496
     
Dag
someone who is a hard case, humorous, or funny
257 1486
     
Were you born in a tent?
Unfamiliar with the concept of closing a door behind you.
258 1483
     
Rough as guts
Unpolished
259 1481
     
yarn
a tall tale, or a good story
260 1476
     
Gurb
Food
261 1473
     
Home and hosed
Safe, completed
262 1470
     
sprogs
another name for your kids
263 1468
     
A few raspberries short of a punnet
Not that bright
264 1464
     
Jack up
To organise
265 1459
     
Better get some MOTION POTION
The car needs some gas
266 1458
     
The Ware Whare (wari fari)
The Warehouse. Where everyone gets a bargain
267 1458
     
In the Rick
Naked, no clothes on
268 1457
     
Maori safety shoes
Jandals
269 1455
     
Bugger
Nice way of saying "Oh Shit" or worse
270 1454
     
Slops
A kind of drink-mostly referred to beer
271 1453
     
Spill
Tell all
272 1450
     
Cooked your goose
Gone to far - really in trouble
273 1447
     
box of fluffy ducks
going well, feeling great
274 1440
     
Charge like a wounded bull.
Charge an outrageous price.
275 1440
     
Knickers in a twist
Upset or angry
276 1440
     
Mountain Oysters
Lambs Balls-tasty treat
277 1437
     
tight arse
person who holds on to their money and doesnt want to spend, pay or shout anybody
278 1436
     
There and back too see how far it is.
An answer to "where are you going"
279 1433
     
Use you head for more than a hat-peg!
Think about it... ie, use your brain!
280 1433
     
hook-ups
getting things discount through a mate, or a mate of a mate, or a mate of a mate of a mate
281 1432
     
Going at it like a one legged ass kicker
Working hard
282 1431
     
as dry as an Abo's armpit
Thirsty
283 1429
     
Shraps
Money made up of coins.
284 1429
     
Dragged through a prickle bush backwards
Messed up clothes, especially after a big night on the piss
285 1422
     
A Crate
a container for six Flagons, or 1/2 Gallon jars
286 1421
     
Yonks
A long time
287 1417
     
Shiting through the eye of a needle
The runs
288 1416
     
Pea Pie&Pud
A pie with pea's and potatoe.
289 1415
     
Lift doesnt go to top floor
Not the full quid
290 1414
     
1/2 Gallon Jar
For beer
291 1413
     
cheap skate
person who always buys the cheaper product
292 1413
     
Guts for garters
In big trouble
293 1408
     
She'll be right
Everything will be fine
294 1406
     
Get off the grass
Disbelief, similar to "Your pulling my leg?"
295 1404
     
smoko
Afternoon or morning tea
296 1400
     
Kickin up a stink
To lose your temper
297 1398
     
tickle ya fancy
make you laugh
298 1396
     
too much
really good
299 1395
     
kissed as a piwi
that drunk you cant even get your words write.
300 1394
     
Dont give a fiddlers fart
Dont care
301 1387
     
Hard yakka
Hard work
302 1387
     
kumara
referred to a person who makes a mistake or does something stupid
303 1382
     
Loopy
tourist/holiday maker from overseas
304 1377
     
As cheap as chips
cost bugger all or nothing
305 1370
     
Back in a tick
Will be back soon
306 1366
     
Second mouse get the cheese
Early bird catches the worm, 2nd mouse get the cheese.( Sometimes a bit of patience is better)
307 1358
     
Gut luggage
Food to go
308 1331
     
Thunder Box
Outside Toilet
309 1326
     
Guts full of arms and legs
Pregnant lady
310 1318
     
Flagon
drinking beer out of
311 1315
     
Cut some shapes on the D floor
312 1306
     
crickey dick
Expression of suprise
313 1302
     
Wigwam for a goose's bridle
Useless item [why would a goose need a bridle, let alone a wigwam to keep it in?]
314 1269
     
Kotunga
Replacement car aerial fasioned from wire hanger
315 1228
     
Mystery pack
Competitors pie with dubious contents.
316 1216
     
Brown Eye
Flash your bottom
317 1149
     
Mutton Tastier Than Lamb Everytime