2006-10-08 02:50:37 · 9 answers · asked by ZxssxZ 5 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
Australians have many nicknames. "Wanker" and "you idiot" spring to mind, though these are generally used as specific terms for specific people. One of the more prominent terms to describe the population as a whole is "Aussies". While this may look to some people like it should be pronounced with a soft "s", it's not - it's pronounced "Ozzies". Which makes it entirely logical that the slang for Australia should be "Oz".
As for how often the term is used, that varies. I get the feeling that while "Aussie" is quite common, "Oz" is mostly used by tourists visiting (or boring their friends with endless discussions about planning future holidays and stories about them when they get back) and by Australians when overseas, wistfully talking about home
2006-10-08 03:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by chewlips25 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The other answers are correct 'Oz' is an abbreviated slang term derrived from the first three letters of AUStralia. It also implies that Australia is a strange and wonderful place - as in the land of Oz from the Judy Garland movie The Wizard of Oz. (Before the rest of the Aussies complain - I'm an Aussie and yes we are strange. Anyone who has tasted Vegemite will agree)
2006-10-09 01:26:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The AUS in Australia is pronounced OZ
2006-10-08 09:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by Hamish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because AUStralia....Aus....it eventually became Oz because it sounds the same and people are always trying to find ways that are quicker to do everything
2006-10-09 06:34:11 · answer #4 · answered by kittycat_cc14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Oz" is another way of spelling "Aus", which is an abbreviation of "Australia", - so "Oz" means "Australia".
2006-10-08 09:53:33 · answer #5 · answered by Byjiar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Used in the late 20th century. Shortening and alteration
2006-10-08 19:26:05 · answer #6 · answered by Skie 17 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
originally we were too lazy to say australians so we said aussie... and laziness shortened it further to oz. simple. there's none more lazy than us. who here can really be bothered saying the WHOLE name of our country out loud.....
meh
2006-10-08 11:08:53 · answer #7 · answered by kamazeee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
perversion of aussie or aus
2006-10-08 09:55:06 · answer #8 · answered by rsist34 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where are u from? Geeezzzzz!!!!!
2006-10-09 02:22:42 · answer #9 · answered by yahwhoon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋