Question

Why is the term 'Oz' used to refer to Australians?

Answer 1

I'm from Sydney...The word OZ is short for Australia i.e. Oz-tralia, so we are called aussies (ozzies) for short not OZ.

Answer 2

because thier to thick to spell Australian

Answer 3

Personally, I think it comes from Americans......... they pronounce it ''Oztralia'' instead of Australia........ no harm meant, but that's personally how I hear they pronounce things ....... I prefer to be called an Aussie - and spelt that way too! Unlike my fiance who spells it Auzzie and I get VERY annoyed!! hahaha.

Answer 4

We made it easy for you to spell and besides in sport all Aussie,s are Wizards of OZ.

Answer 5

FrankL Baum wrote a book about another land , a dream land on the other side of the world in another reality since the aborgines have dreams like that and the country is on the other side of the world away from the rest they call it OZ

Answer 6

John B, at least we can spell "their".. . Oz...because it is a mythical utopia, or because it was a prison colony like 'Oz'

Answer 7

Cause its similar to australia (aus=oz)The first syllable

Answer 8

"They" don't call Australians Oz. Or at least, Australians don't call Australians Oz. We call ourselves Aussies (short for Australians), and I was under the impression that other countries called us by this name too.. . I would be interested in hearing what countries are calling us "Oz"!

Answer 9

Actuallly Aussies are called OZ as some people could not pronounce aussies and called them Oz thats why they are calledoz

Answer 10

Okay...in Australia there is lots of slang words, these are called "colloquialisms" and every country has them. These days though these words are becoming more universal though I have to say that some will only ever be heard in Australia.... . Basically this is where one word is rhymed with another or shortened, the spelling is changed or whatever. Australia is full of slang words...dosh=cash, dead horse=tomato sauce, iffy=questionable, arvo=afternoon, ac=airconditioner, septic tank=an american...just to name a few..... . To arrive at Oz Im guessing that Aussie, sounds a little like Ozzie and then it was shortened. Its rather appropriate given that Australia is considered to be a little like the Emerald City in that it is a far away, mythical place where most people only dream of going. Of course to modern day terms...Australia was a prison colony just like the Ozwald Penetentary in the HBO series Oz...