Adrian Quist means: Pissed (drunk).. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Adrian Quist
(Australia, rhyming slang) Pissed (drunk).
ˈeɪdɹiən ˈkwɪstDocumented since 1930s1930sSilenthistorical118 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1930 · no dated citations yet20th centurySee decade cohort →
Definitions
Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS
(Australia, rhyming slang) Pissed (drunk).
The company would invite some of their bigger clients and it was frowned upon if any of the staff got Adrian Quist and made a spectacle of themselves, although I can remember a couple of bad hang-overs!
Origin: Rhyming slang from the name of Australian tennis player Adrian Quist. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents
Adrian Quist means: Pissed (drunk).. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
Adrian Quist means: Pissed (drunk).. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
Cluster: alcohol
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
Australia
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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang
Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
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