G’day mates! Ever wondered about that iconic phrase “shrimp on the barbie” that’s become practically synonymous with Australian culture? Well, I’m gonna share with ya the fascinating story behind this famous saying that’s got quite an interesting twist to it.
The Origin Story: Not Your Typical Aussie Phrase
The phrase “shrimp on the barbie” wasn’t just some random saying that naturally evolved in Australian culture. It actually came from a carefully planned tourism campaign that changed how the world saw Australia. Here’s the full scoop:
The Tourism Campaign That Started It All
- Launch Date: January 8, 1984
- Star: Paul Hogan (before he became Crocodile Dundee!)
- Original Quote: “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you”
- Official Slogan: “Come and say G’day”
- Campaign Duration: 1984-1990
Why It’s Actually Pretty Ironic
Here’s something that’ll blow your mind – most Aussies don’t even say “shrimp”! They use the word “prawn” instead The word choice was deliberately changed for American audiences to avoid confusion. Talk about marketing magic!
The Impact Was Huge!
Check out these crazy stats about how the campaign affected Australia’s tourism
- Before campaign: Australia ranked around #78 on Americans’ vacation destination wishlist
- 3 months after launch: Jumped to #7
- Shortly after: Reached #1 or #2 position
- Maintained top position: For nearly 20 years!
The Modern Impact
Even today, this phrase continues to follow Australians around the world. Here’s some funny real-life examples:
- Chris Tilbey (USC Trojans football player from Australia) hears it “Every day. Every day”
- Jesse Mirco at Ohio State gets the same treatment
What “Barbie” Really Means in Australian Culture
Let me break it down for ya:
- Barbie = BBQ in Australian slang
- Cultural Significance:
- Represents casual outdoor gatherings
- Symbol of Australian social life
- Associated with sunny weather and good times
The Actual Australian BBQ Culture
Since we’re keeping it real here, let me tell you what an authentic Australian barbecue typically looks like:
Common Items You’ll Actually Find on an Aussie Barbie:
- Prawns (not shrimp!)
- Lamb chops
- Sausages (known as “snags”)
- Steak
- Onions
- Various seafood
Why The Phrase Stuck (Despite Being “Un-Australian”)
The success of this phrase can be attributed to several factors:
- Perfect Timing: Launched just before Paul Hogan became internationally famous with Crocodile Dundee
- Memorable Delivery: Hogan’s charismatic performance made it stick
- Cultural Simplicity: Easy for international audiences to remember and repeat
- Marketing Genius: Successfully captured the laid-back Australian lifestyle
The Cultural Impact Today
In 2025, the phrase remains:
- A pop culture reference in American media
- A source of mild amusement for Australians
- A testament to successful tourism marketing
- Part of Australia’s international identity (whether they like it or not!)
Tips for Using the Phrase (If You Must!)
If you’re planning to use this phrase with Australians, here’s what you should know:
DO:- Understand it's a tourism slogan- Use it playfully- Know that Australians say "prawn"DON'T:- Think it's common Australian slang- Use it seriously- Expect Australians to use itFun Facts About the Campaign
- The campaign was developed by Australian agency Mojo and American agency N.W. Ayer
- It launched during the National Football Conference Championship Game
- The success helped boost Paul Hogan’s international career
- It’s considered one of the most successful tourism campaigns ever
Wrapping It Up
So there ya have it! “Shrimp on the barbie” might not be the most authentically Australian phrase, but it’s definitely become part of the country’s global identity. It’s a perfect example of how marketing can create cultural touchstones that last for generations – even if they’re not entirely accurate!
Remember, next time you’re in Australia and want to sound like a local, skip the “shrimp” and go for “prawn” instead. And hey, if you’re invited to a real Australian barbie, you’re in for a treat – just don’t expect to hear anyone actually say this famous phrase!
P.S. As someone who loves writing about cultural phenomena, I find it fascinating how a single advertising campaign from the 80s has had such a lasting impact on how the world sees Australia. What do you think about this interesting piece of marketing history?
What to Serve With Grilled Shrimp
This healthy shrimp meal goes great with a variety of side dishes.
We recommend serving this with some steamed rice, cucumber salad, quinoa salad, or grilled potatoes.
You might also enjoy it with a different sauce. Try it with some creamy chipotle sauce or creamy jalapeno sauce. You can also skip the creamy sauce and go with some hot chili sauce or cocktail sauce.
- Dont overcook barbecued shrimp! They cook quickly so dont leave them unattended.
- Use skewers for the shrimp. This keeps them from falling through the grate and makes them easier to turn more easily in order to avoid overcooking.
- Remember fresh shrimp is best! Choose jumbo sized shrimp with the tails on!
- Do not use cooked shrimp to make shrimp on the barbie! It simply wont work.
“Barbie” is Australian slang for barbecue, so this phrase simply means shrimp on the barbecue.
Often youll hear that shrimp and prawns are the same thing, just different in size. But they are actually different animals. While prawns are larger than shrimp – they live in different bodies of water and have different anatomy. They do have a similar taste and texture though.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Budget-friendly. Save a bit of money when you enjoy this tasty restaurant dish at home.
- Family-favorite dinner. Grilled shrimp make a healthy, tasty dinner the whole family will love.
- Cooks up quickly and easily!
Do Australians Say Shrimp on the Barbie?
FAQ
What does shrimp on the barbie mean in slang?
“Barbie” is Australian slang for BBQ and the phrase “slip a shrimp on the barbie” often evokes images of a fun social gathering under the sun. Australians, however, invariably use the word prawn rather than shrimp.
Why is it shrimp on the barbie?
As for the term “barbie,” it is authentic Australian slang for BBQ. The Shrimp on the Barbie is a 1990 movie that starred Cheech Marin and capitalized on the popularity of the phrase. Even greater notoriety may have come through Jim Carrey’s Dumb and Dumber character, Lloyd Christmas.
What does it mean to put shrimp on the barbie?
What does shrimp on the barbie mean? “Barbie” is Australian slang for barbecue, so this phrase simply means shrimp on the barbecue.