Brisbane is known for its sunny skies, friendly vibe, and now, an influx of Southern Australians making the move north. As more people from Melbourne, Adelaide, and other southern cities settle into our beautiful corner of the country, Brisbanites are noticing a few new quirks—especially when it comes to language.
It seems our new guests from down south come with their own lingo and as more and more southerners arrive in Brisbane permanently, it’ll be interesting to see if the way locals speak changes for good.
The most debated difference is around food. Is it a potato scallop or a potato cake? A parma or a parmi? A popper or a prima?
At the bar, Queenslanders are renowned for ordering a schooner but our southern mates are more inclined to leave out the middle man and opt for a pot or a pint.
The rivalry gains more momentum when footy comes into it. Of course if you’re in Brisbane, that means NRL. For Victorians and South Australians, it’s AFL.
Then there’s the swimwear confusion, do you grab your togs or is it “bathers” before heading to the coast?
With all these new terms floating around, it might be easy to feel like we’re speaking a different language.
As Brisbane continues to grow and attract people from across the country, we have an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that comes with it. The differences in terminology might seem small, but they’re a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that makes our city unique. So let’s keep an open mind, share a laugh over any language mix-ups, and enjoy the evolving conversation in our vibrant Brisbane community.
Tell us in the comments what strange terms you’ve heard.
