(Australia, New Zealand) A snoek, any of species of foodfish.
(Australia, New Zealand) A snoek, any of species of foodfish.
Barracouta means: A snoek, any of species of foodfish.. It is mainly New Zealand 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. This is a food-related word and harmless in itself. 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.
barracouta means: A snoek, any of species of foodfish.. Register: informal, New Zealand English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Barracouta means: A snoek, any of species of foodfish.. It is mainly New Zealand 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. This is a food-related word and harmless in itself. 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.
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.
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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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(South Africa, Transkei) Any of several species of barracuda.
Australian slang for a barracouta — a long, slender, predatory fish (Thyrsites atun) found in southern Australian and New Zealand waters and popular as a food fish. The clipped form is typical of Australian informal speech, which routinely shortens and reshapes words. Typically used in fishing contexts, seafood markets, and casual conversation among those familiar with Australian coastal cuisine. Barracouta is distinct from barracuda, and the Australian pronunciation and abbreviated form reflect local fishing culture.
(AU, slang) A barracouta.
(New Zealand) A long, narrow loaf, often indented in the middle so that it can be broken in two.
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