General
septic tank
What does septic tank mean?
Generic shorthand for American things or culture, with an edge.
"It's all very septic, the giant portions and the free refills."
Origin
Cockney rhyming slang where 'septic tank' rhymes with 'Yank', a term for an American. It travelled to Australia too, where 'seppo' became common. The 'septic' image makes it deliberately rude.
Frequently asked questions
What does septic tank mean in Cockney?
It's rhyming slang for Yank, meaning an American. 'Tank' rhymes with 'Yank'.
Is calling someone a septic offensive?
It's cheeky and a bit rude given the imagery, usually teasing rather than seriously hostile, but not exactly a compliment.
What does 'seppo' mean in Australian slang?
It's the Aussie short form of 'septic tank', meaning an American, derived from the same rhyme as the Cockney term.
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