Tell me if you can understand what the following sentence in Australian English says?
"Does the quote for renos include demo?" 🏠
Even I had to pause at first to work out what was being said here.
One of the defining features of Aussie English is our thing for diminutives (also called hypocoristics) – we love shortening words and adding cutesy endings:
🐨 afternoon → arvo
🐨 breakfast → brekkie/brekky
🐨 Sharon → Shazza
🐨 Melbourne → Melbs
While all varieties of English use shortened forms, Australians have taken it to the next level.
But here’s where it gets tricky – sometimes the same diminutive has multiple meanings.
In the sentence above (from a DIY group on social media), "renos" was clear enough – it’s short for "renovations".
But "demo"? 🤔
In most contexts, "demo" in English (and not just in Australia) means "demonstration":
📢 The demo blocked traffic in the CBD.
📢 She did a demo of the new equipment.
📢 He cut a demo track in the studio.
So why would a renovation quote include a demonstration?
Because in this Australian context, "demo" actually means "demolition".
Same spelling. Completely different meaning. Entirely dependent on context.
And it’s not an isolated example!
Take "defo"...
Traditionally, it means "definitely".
However, first in legal circles and then in the media after several recent high-profile cases in Australia, "defo" is now also widely used as shorthand for "defamation" – so much so that this meaning is listed in Australian English dictionaries.
This is the fascinating and yet occasionally confusing side of Australian English: the friendliness of the language can hide layers of meaning. And sorry to say, there's no quick fix – you simply have to learn where and when to use or comprehend which diminutive by context.
👉 Need to know your demos so they don't cause a demo or defo? To get your copy and text right for Australia, talk to me. All you need to do is email me at info@nicknasev.com. Simples!
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