Alternative Names for Dim Sims
Dim sims are a true Australian invention, and nothing is more Aussie than giving something we love a stack of alternative names. Over the decades, the humble dimmie has collected a colourful vocabulary of slang, jokes, and playful nicknames that reflect both affection and humour. This page celebrates some of the most creative nicknames for dim sims that have found their way into Aussie conversations.
Classic Nicknames for Dim Sims
The most common nickname is the simple “dimmies” (or “dimmys”). Then there are cheeky classics like mystery bags, road kill rissoles, and breathmints. They play on the idea of a dim sim being a mystery parcel of meat and veg, with a little Aussie irreverence sprinkled in.
Feline-Inspired Dimmie Names
Cat-themed names are a whole subculture of their own. Popular ones include cat coffins, cat sacks, cat bags, cat n cabbage, cat in a condom, cat caskets, cats in jackets, moggy mounds, moggie sacks, meow bags, pussy parcels, and pussy puffs. They all poke fun at the mystery of what actually goes inside a dimmie.
Animal-Related Nicknames
Other animals have crept into the mix too. Some call them rat sacks, rat coffins, rats heads, or ding rats. Others go with dog balls, dog nuts, gorilla eggs, roo nuts, donkey drops, horseballs, or even pole cats. Less appetising, maybe, but all part of the language of dimmies.
Regional and Celebrity Nicknames
Aussies love slapping a local or pop culture spin on their food. Regionally, dim sims get called Moe crays, Moe oysters, Moe prawns, Moe hors d’oeuvres, Moe steaks, Cranbourne crayfish, Corio crayfish, and even Murray River oysters. Some have gone the celebrity route too: Grant Dimyas (Grant Denyer), Dim Careys (Jim Carrey), Harry Dimmelbergs (Harry Himmelberg), and Dimmadomenicos (Robert DiPierdomenico).
Other Creative Nicknames
Some nicknames don’t fit neatly into the categories above. These include yum bags, maggot bags, lucky dips, sticky sacks, Chinese bum nuts, scrote bags, bat sacks, deez nuts, oysters, and the tongue-in-cheek steamed and fried. A newer favourite is Centrelink oysters or Centrelink truffles, which reflect both humour and a bit of social commentary.
A Language of Their Own
Whether you prefer calling them dimmies, mystery bags, gorilla eggs, or Moe crays, the huge range of nicknames for dim sims shows just how embedded they are in Australian culture. They’re not just snacks, they’re icons with a dictionary’s worth of affectionate slang to their name.
