Picture this scene: You have just arrived at a barbie that your friend has organised. It’s February in Brissie and it’s a stinker, so you are feeling hot and sticky. Your friend says, “Help yourself to a coldie. The esky is stacked.” What do you do?

If you’re new to Australia, then you’d probably look a little bewildered and say, “Sorry, what do you mean?” If you have been living in Australia for a little while, though, you might say, “Thanks”, open up the portable cooler box, pull out a beer, open it, and have a big swig.

An esky is an insulated container for keeping drinks and food cool. Ice is put at the bottom of the esky and this helps to keep the items inside cool for hours. Esky is a brand name, which had earlier been ‘Eskimo’, but it is now used to describe any type of portable cooler box.

stinker – an oppressively hot day

sticky – feeling sweaty due to high humidity

coldie/cold one – [a can/bottle of] cold beer

stacked – covered or filled with a large amount of things

bewildered – unsure and confused

portable – light and small enough to be easily carried or moved

swig [informal] – a large gulp (swallow) of drink