Kapri

I met an Aussie yesterday and told him I was off to Oz.

He said I mustn't call it Oz as it's a big no-no.
I found this strange for a country that loves shortening words
It's just habit for me to say Oz now
Have I got to start saying "Australia?"

DrWho

Odd... Most I know here refer to it as Oz... no one's ever said anything to me about it...

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Talking out of his arse methinks!!

Starlite

or talking out of his oz..lol.

quoll

Interesting. I must admit that I dont generally see it referred to as such IRL. Aus perhaps is more usual when written and when speaking it usually is Australia. I dont think I have ever written Oz - smacks just a bit too much of the yellow brick road to me.

NickyC

I agree. The only people I know that refer to Australia as 'Oz' are people on here. The media in Australia doesn't refer to the country as 'Oz' (not that I've ever noticed anyway) and neither does anyone I know personally.

It's probably one of those myths about Australia that has grown amongst Brits. Like all Australians are supposed to spend Xmas Day at the beach - the only people who do that are British people mistakenly believing that it's an Aussie tradition .

kezzabird

Seeing as they sing Ozzy ozzy ozzy oi oi oi to support their country I think he's talking bolax

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

No, most people don't refer to it as Oz - however, the OP was under the impression that doing so was a big 'no-no'. This isnt the case and she would probably not be slated for referring to it as Oz.

NickyC

You're right - it's not a 'no-no'.

It's just not as common as people on here might think.

quoll

That should be Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi!

kezzabird

I always was a crap speller!!

quoll

Yeah, sorry I meant to put the in there but forgot and couldnt put it in when I went back to edit.

bcworld

I don't know many people who use 'Oz' in conversation. But it is commonly used in company names etc e.g.

OzJet
Ozemail
ee-Oz
OzTrail
OzForex

etc etc etc

So it's hardly a no-no.

MartinLuther

Aussie is the more common abridgement but you shouldn't have a problem with Aus.

Spelling-wise Aussie and Aus are more common than Ozzie and Oz but all are used.

Centurion

I cant think of the last time, outside of this forum, when people referred to Australia as "Oz". As above its used in certain trademarks and brands but not in general reference to the country, except if your pom wishing to alienate yourself just that little bit more I guess