noun
General Slang
old mate
OHLD MAYT · noun · informal
a person you're referring to (name unknown or unstated)
0
Definitions
1
A stand-in reference for a person whose name you don't know or won't say; tone can be neutral or scornful.
“Old mate over there reckons he can parallel park a road train.”
by community
0
old mate In A Sentence
Old mate over there reckons he can parallel park a road train.
Origin & Usage
Australian idiom repurposing 'old mate' as a vague third-person reference.
People Also Ask
What does old mate mean in Australia?
It's a way of referring to a person whose name you don't know or aren't bothered to say — like 'that guy' or 'this bloke'.
Is old mate friendly or an insult?
It depends on tone. It can be neutral or affectionate, but it's often mildly mocking, poking fun at whoever you're talking about.
How do you use old mate?
You use it as a vague third-person reference, e.g. 'Old mate at the servo told me they were closing early.'
Comments 0