“Throw another shrimp on the barbie!” This classic catchphrase is instantly recognizable around the world as an Australian-ism, But what is the meaning and history behind the iconic “shrimp on the barbie” slogan?
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the origins cultural impact and continuing legacy of one of Australia’s most famous taglines. Let’s explore the fascinating backstory behind this shrimpy saying!
The Origins of “Shrimp on the Barbie”
The phrase “shrimp on the barbie” burst into worldwide fame thanks to a series of tourism commercials starring comedic Australian actor Paul Hogan. The ads aired from 1984-1990 in the USA and UK and were developed by Australian ad agency Mojo in partnership with American agency N.W. Ayer.
In the most well-known ad, Hogan grins at the camera while flipping shrimp on a barbecue and says in his thick Aussie accent, “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you.” The actual slogan of the campaign was “Come and say G’day” but the “shrimp on the barbie” line stole the show.
Several factors came together to make this phrase so catchy and memorable:
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Hogan’s likeable personality and ocker Aussie persona added charm.
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Americans found the Australian lingo intriguing and exotic.
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The barbecue setting evoked relaxing good times.
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It played to idyllic perceptions of Australia
Why Shrimp Instead of Prawns?
Astute observers may point out that Australians overwhelmingly use the word “prawn” rather than “shrimp” when referring to the iconic crustacean. So why did the ad say “shrimp”?
Simply put, it was changed to avoid confusing American audiences who were unfamiliar with the term “prawn”. The aussie term was swapped for one better recognized in the target US market.
So while real life Australians would say “throw another prawn on the barbie”, the commercial smartly localized the language for maximum appeal abroad.
The Meaning Behind the Slogan
When Hogan invites us to “slip an extra shrimp on the barbie”, he’s portraying a spirit of casual friendliness and relaxation that captures the classic Aussie barbecue.
The imagery evokes an easygoing social gathering where good times, great food, and warm hospitality abound for all.
Fundamentally, it’s conveying the idea that Australia is an inviting place for fun, adventure, and fitting in with the local lifestyle. The classic Aussie “no worries” attitude comes through in the understated, welcoming tone.
Why Barbecues are Iconic in Australia
Part of why this slogan resonated so well in Australia is that barbecuing (or “barbies”) is practically a national pastime. Families and friends gather around sizzling grills in backyards across the land every weekend.
Several factors drive this widespread barbecue culture:
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Outdoor lifestyle enables year-round grilling.
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Casual, laidback sensibilities.
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Bringing people together is valued.
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Meat pies, sausages, and shrimp are Aussie favorites.
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Relaxed dining suits the warm climate.
So putting shrimp on the “barbie” perfectly captures a quintessential Aussie ritual.
The Cultural Legacy of the Slogan
The incredible success of the “shrimp on the barbie” slogan cemented it in pop culture history. Through the 80s and 90s, the phrase was used extensively in movies, TV shows, and media to comedically reference Australia.
Some major examples of it being quoted include:
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The Simpsons
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Home Improvement
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Batman Forever
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The Birdcage
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Austin Powers
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Family Guy
Even decades later, it remains an instant signifier for Australia. The commercial succeeded in branding the slogan into the global consciousness, where it persists as an iconic piece of Australian culture.
Do Australians Actually Say It?
Despite achieving worldwide fame, the “shrimp on the barbie” phrase is not actually common in the Australian vernacular. Most Aussies are well aware it originated from an international tourism advertisement, not a genuine local saying.
Reasons the slogan sounds strange to Aussie ears include:
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They use “prawn”, not “shrimp”.
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It’s an exaggerated stereotype, not daily slang.
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The Americanized tone sounds inauthentic.
So while the rest of the world associates the phrase with Australia, Australians themselves rarely say it. It’s recognized as a cultural export used mainly for marketing and humor in foreign media.
Attempts To Revive the Slogan
Tourism marketers have tried to resurrect the popularity of the “shrimp on the barbie” slogan in recent years.
In 2016, the Northern Territory government used the catchphrase in US print ads and billboards profiling Australian chef Adam Liaw. However, the campaign drew criticism for promoting outdated stereotypes.
In 2018, a revamped version of the original commercial was proposed with Chris Hemsworth as the star. But the idea was scrapped after widespread public objections to reusing the dated slogan.
The lesson was that the iconic line, though beloved abroad, did not sit well with modern Aussie society. It continues to live on in international perceptions rather than local culture.
Key Takeaways About “Shrimp on the Barbie”
To recap, here are the key points to keep in mind about the meaning and history behind Australia’s most famous food-related saying:
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Originally came from a 1984 tourism ad starring Paul Hogan.
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Changed “prawn” to “shrimp” for American audiences.
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Evokes classic Aussie barbecues and hospitality.
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Achieved fame globally but is rarely said by Australians.
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Seen today as an outdated cultural stereotype.
So next time you throw a shrimp on your own barbie, you can share a bit of trivia about the viral origins and complex legacy of this unique Aussie slogan. It’s cemented itself as a pop culture symbol recognizable around the world!
The phrase is inaccurate
Australians will be quick to tell you that “shrimp” are actually called “prawns” there. And no one, not even our man “Hoges,” would ever use this Americanized word to describe Australia’s favorite seafood. And then there’s the misquoting of the phrase itself. There are many distorted versions of this line in US pop culture from the 30 years since it was first used. Hogan actually says, “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you.” Did you see Jim Carrey in “Dumb”?
The cheesy depiction of Australia
There’s one thing Australians love doing even more than grilling shrimp: criticizing tourism ads that only show one side of the country. “Put another shrimp on the barbie” is the classic Australian cliché. Even though the campaign was a huge success, Australians always think of the things that make Australia famous abroad—beaches, koalas, the Outback, etc.—as silly.
Almost every Australian tourism ad is hammered by local criticism. In 2006, the $180 million disaster “Where the bloody hell are you?” turned off people from other countries because it used a swear word that isn’t used much in Australia but doesn’t go over well in other countries. This year there was the twee “There’s nothing like Australia” campaign, and the $40 million flop Australia, which was a tourism ad wrapped up in a melodramatic Baz Luhrmann movie. Fair enough, the recent Crocodile Dundee Super Bowl ad got good reviews because it poked fun at those tired clichés and used a lot of big Hollywood names.
Another reason many Aussies don’t like the phrase “shrimp on the barbie” is that the country has a serious illness called “cultural cringe,” and Hogan’s shrimp ads make it worse. Australia’s history as a British prison colony gives people an inferiority complex that makes them want to know what other people think of the country and its culture. Australians who have to deal with this problem praise other cultures more than their own, because they think their own are intellectually empty. So the Australian Tourism Commission is using a blonde guy and a beach babe boating and grilling to show the US what our country is like? That will make a lot of Aussies cringe every time.
What does “Barbie” mean? | Learn Australian Slang
What does shrimp on the Barbie mean?
A sample of Paul Hogan’s “shrimp on the barbie” Australian tourism advertising campaign. Problems playing this file? See media help. ” Shrimp on the barbie ” is a phrase that originated in a series of television advertisements by the Australian Tourism Commission broadcast in the US and UK starring Paul Hogan from 1984 through to 1990.
Why is shrimp on the Barbie so popular?
The phrase “shrimp on the barbie” gained international fame through an Australian Tourism Commission television commercial in the 1980s, featuring actor Paul Hogan. The commercial showcased Australia’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle, with the memorable line “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you.”
Where did the phrase’shrimp on the Barbie’ come from?
The phrase “shrimp on the barbie” originated in a popular television commercial for the Australian Tourism Commission in the 1980s, featuring actor Paul Hogan inviting tourists to visit Australia and enjoy the sunny climate and fresh seafood.
What does ‘throw an extra shrimp on the Barbie’ mean?
“Throw an extra shrimp on the barbie,” was the slogan made popular on Australia tourism commercials by Crocodile Dundee, and was the inspiration for the popular Outback Steakhouse appetizer that originated back in the 1980s. A true Aussie, of course, grills prawns on the barbie, or barbecue grill, instead of shrimp.