General
old mate
What does old mate mean?
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."
Origin
Australian idiom repurposing 'old mate' as a vague third-person reference.
Frequently asked questions
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.'
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