General
ripper
What does ripper mean?
Something excellent or first-rate; often 'you little ripper!' as an exclamation of delight.
"That was a ripper of a game."
Origin
British and Australian slang from the 19th century, from 'rip' implying something that tears ahead or is first-rate. The 'you little ripper' exclamation is distinctively Aussie.
Frequently asked questions
What does ripper mean in Aussie slang?
Ripper means excellent or fantastic — a 'ripper day' is a great day.
What does you little ripper mean?
It's an exclamation of delight, like 'fantastic!' or 'yes!', often when something goes your way.
Is ripper still used in Australia?
Yes, though it leans a bit old-school and bogan-charming, it's still warmly used to mean great.
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