Meet Bruce the Bot who speaks Australian slang

Chris Pash
By Chris Pash | 18 July 2019
 

"Arvo", "bludge", "schnitty, "dunny", "budgie smuggler", "blue-arsed fly" and "democracy sausage". 

Bruce the Aussie Bot has memorised 1,000 Aussie slang words and their definitions from the Macquarie Australian Slang Dictionary.

That got him a job as Facebook Messenger's bot, answering questions about local slang.

Go to Messenger, type in an Australian slang word and Bruce will reveal its definition.

Victoria Morgan, senior editor, Macquarie Dictionary, says the way we speak is at the very heart of national identity.

"Australia is a relaxed country with a healthy dismissiveness of authority and formality, so our love and use of slang is always going to have a place in our language," she says.

"Have you ever taken a selfie? Or worn budgie smugglers? These are just two gems Australian slang has graciously gifted the world." 

A study of 1,080 Australians, commissioned for Facebook by YouGov Galaxy, found that one in four believe that Australian slang is declining.

"In celebration of Aussie slang, a purely Aussie cultural phenomenon, we created Bruce the Bot, a quick guide for Aussies and tourists alike, to help us brush up on our slang and keep it alive," says Alexandra Sloane, Messenger Australia. 

How to find Bruce: Open Facebook Messenger app -- Click on the discover icon (third icon in the bottom right) -- Search for Bruce the Aussie Bot.

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