This week’s Common Aussie Slang is one of my favourite slang expressions.It basically means ‘cup of’ and is most often used when referring to a cup of (hot) tea. We don’t use it for iced tea because that drink is usually served in a glass and not a cup.
Cuppa is used all the time here in Australia. As I’m writing this post the radio presenter is talking about getting a cuppa at a cafe and having to pay a surcharge because it was a public holiday. I’d definitely recommend trying to remember this expression as it’s used in lots of English-speaking countries, not only Australia.
If you visit someone’s home, you are likely to be offered a cuppa. The person might say,
“Do you fancy a cuppa?”
or
“I’m just about to make a cuppa. Do you fancy one?”
‘Fancy’ has a few different definitions in English, but in this context it means ‘want to have’. Although cuppa usually refers to ‘tea’, it can also be used for coffee or another kind of hot drink that is served in a cup. So, if you’re not sure what drink is being offered you could say,
“Sounds good. What are you having?”
Other ways of responding could include,
“Yes, I’d love a cup of tea, thanks.”
or
“No, thanks. I’ve just had one.”
I have at least three cuppas a day: a cup of Australian Breakfast in the morning, a cup of coffee in the arvo, and a cup of chai in the evening. How about you? How many cuppas do you have a day? Let me know in the comments section below.
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Glossary
surcharge – a charge in addition to the usual amount paid for something, or the amount already paid
public holiday – a day when almost everyone in a particular country does not have to go to work or school
fancy – to want to have or do something
chai – a type of drink, made originally in India, consisting of tea made with spices and usually with milk and sugar added
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