If you’ve ever travelled overseas or spent time with friends from other countries, you’ll know that Aussie slang and sayings can be a real head-scratcher for outsiders. We’re a nation famous for our unique turns of phrase—some of which are so ingrained in our daily lives that we don’t even realise they’re not used elsewhere. But every now and then, a classic Aussie saying will leave an expat or traveller completely baffled—and the results can be absolutely hilarious!

One such phrase that’s recently caused a stir is the good old ‘first in, best dressed’. For most of us, it’s as familiar as Vegemite on toast. But for American expat Maura Sheahan, it was a source of genuine confusion—and a bit of fashion-related anxiety!


Maura, who now calls Australia home, took to social media to share her amusing culture shock. She recounted how, while organising a birthday dinner, she rang a restaurant to book a table on the patio. The staff member on the other end of the line told her, ‘We don’t actually do reservations—we just do first in, best dressed.’


Now, for any Aussie, that’s code for ‘first come, first served’. But Maura’s mind went in a completely different direction. She wondered if the restaurant would be judging her outfit at the door, and if a daggy ensemble would see her banished to a table by the bins! Determined not to risk it, she and her friends planned to ‘dress really cute’—just in case their seating depended on their style.


The story got even better when Maura shared her plans with her new Aussie colleagues. She explained her understanding of the ‘weird rule’—that the best seats went to the best-dressed diners. The office fell silent before erupting in laughter, and her boss quickly set her straight: ‘Maura, no. That just means first come, first served.’

Her social media video quickly went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and sparking a wave of comments from amused Aussies and expats alike. Many locals were surprised to learn that ‘first in, best dressed’ isn’t a global saying. Some even admitted that, when you think about it, Maura’s interpretation was pretty logical!

So, where does this quirky phrase come from? According to language experts, ‘first in, best dressed’ is a uniquely Australian twist on the old English saying ‘first up, best dressed’. Back in the day, it referred to kids in big families—whoever got up first in the morning had first pick of the clothes. Over time, it evolved into a general rule about getting the best choice if you’re first in line.

It’s a bit like ‘the early bird catches the worm’—another saying that means those who act quickly get the best rewards. But as Maura’s story shows, if you’re not familiar with the lingo, it’s easy to get the wrong end of the stick!

The comments on Maura’s video were full of good-natured ribbing and shared stories. One Aussie teacher confessed to telling their international students ‘first in, best dressed’ before an excursion—only to find everyone had dressed to the nines! Others joked that a restaurant where your outfit determined your table would actually be a fun idea.

It’s a great reminder that our everyday language can be a minefield for newcomers—and that a little confusion can lead to a lot of laughs. For expats and travellers, it’s all part of the adventure of living Down Under.


So, members, have you ever been tripped up by an Aussie saying—or had a visitor completely misinterpret one of our classic expressions? Maybe you’ve got a favourite bit of Aussie slang that always gets a giggle from overseas friends? Share your stories in the comments below! Let’s see who’s got the best (or funniest) ‘lost in translation’ moment.

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