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[0844] Barbie

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Australian slang abbreviation for a barbecue.
  • Refers both to the cooking appliance (the grill) and the social event (a barbecue party).

Origin

  • Another example of Australian English abbreviation, shortening barbecue.
  • Popularised internationally by Australian tourism campaigns and cultural figures like Paul Hogan in the 1980s (I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for ya).
  • Barbecues are a significant part of Australian social culture, associated with summer, beaches, backyards, and casual gatherings.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Barbecue (Standard term)
  • BBQ (Common abbreviation worldwide)
  • Cookout (Primarily US term for the event)
  • Grill (Often refers just to the appliance, esp. US)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • BBQ
  • Cookout (US event)

Milder/Standard:

  • Barbecue
  • Grill (Appliance, or sometimes the event in US)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Standard term in casual Australian settings.
  • Used when talking about casual social gatherings involving grilled food.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Potential (though usually easily resolved by context) confusion with the Barbie doll brand.
  • The phrase shrimp on the barbie is famously associated with Australia internationally but is not typically said by Australians, who call them prawns and don't necessarily barbecue them that often. Using the phrase can mark someone as a tourist or playing up the stereotype.

Examples

  • Let's have a barbie at our place on Sunday.
  • Chuck some snags (sausages) on the barbie, mate.
  • Needs a bit of a clean before we can use the barbie.

Dialogue

Friend 1: Hey, we're firing up the barbie this arvo if you wanna come 'round?

Friend 2: Oh yeah, sounds good! Should I bring anything?

Friend 1: Nah, just bring yourself! Got heaps of food.

Social Media Examples

  • Instagram Story: (Video of sausages sizzling) Sunday arvo barbie in full swing! 🔥 #BBQ #Australia #Summer
  • Facebook Event: Neighbourhood Barbie Sat 2pm Bring a plate to share!

Response Patterns

  • If invited: Acceptance (Sounds great!, Awesome, I'll be there!) or refusal (Ah, sorry, can't make it.).
  • Questions about details: What time?, What can I bring?, Where is it?
  • Comments about the food or event: Love a good barbie!

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Asking what contribution is needed (bring food, drinks, salad, etc.).
  • Confirming the time and location.
  • Discussing the weather forecast (important for an outdoor barbie!).
  • Anticipating the food (steak, sausages, etc.).

Conversation Starter

  • Yes.
  • Inviting someone to a barbie is a very common way to initiate social plans in Australia.

Intonation

  • Casual and friendly.
  • Stress on the first syllable: BAR-bie.

Generation Differences

  • Used widely across all generations in Australia.

Regional Variations

  • Primarily Australian English.
  • Widely understood internationally due to media exposure, but often seen as stereotypically Australian.
  • BBQ is the more common informal term globally. Barbecue is the standard term. Cookout is common in the US for the event.
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