chilly bin

A chilly bin is New Zealand English for a cooler: the insulated box you fill with ice and drinks for the beach, a barbecue or a road trip.

What chilly bin means

Wiktionary defines it as an insulated picnic cooler that uses ice blocks to keep food cold. It’s an essential piece of Kiwi summer kit, usually sitting next to the jandals by the door. Australians call the same thing an esky, and Americans say cooler.

Examples

• “Chuck the drinks in the chilly bin.”
• “Who’s bringing the chilly bin to the beach?”
• “The chilly bin doubles as a seat if you’re desperate.”

Where it came from

It’s simply chilly plus bin, and it’s firmly a New Zealand word. Collins lists it as an informal name for a portable insulated container packed with ice. Brand names became the everyday word in neighboring countries, which is why Australians reach for “esky” instead.

Related terms

• Jandals: flip-flops, Kiwi style.
• Ute: the vehicle you put the chilly bin in.
• Bach: a Kiwi holiday home.
• Sweet as: great, no problem.

More Kiwi words are in our New Zealand slang guide.