General
sickie
What does sickie mean?
A day taken off work sick; 'chuck a sickie' means to take one while not actually ill.
"He chucked a sickie to go to the cricket."
Origin
Australian and British slang from 'sick' plus the -ie diminutive. The cheeky 'fake illness' connotation is strongly associated with Aussie work culture.
Frequently asked questions
What does chuck a sickie mean?
It means to take a day off work claiming illness, usually when you're not actually sick.
Is a sickie always fake?
Not always — it can be a genuine sick day, but the word often carries a cheeky 'skiving off' implication.
What does sickie mean in Aussie slang texting?
If a mate texts that they're 'chucking a sickie', they're taking the day off work, often for fun rather than illness.
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