Most Aussies may have half-heartedly droned “our home is girt by sea” during high school assemblies.

But the phrase has found new life as the country pokes fun at the world’s bewilderment over our Olympic success.

Australia sent more than 460 athletes to compete in 42 of the 45 sports on the Paris 2024 program, and the contingent got off to a great start.

As of Thursday morning (AEST), Australia ranked fourth on the medal tally, with seven gold, six silver and three bronze.

International social media users were quick to question why Australians seemed to be so gifted in sports, particularly in events like swimming.

The answer from Australians? ‘We’re girt.’

We’re literally girt by sea. https://t.co/fUUncA5VrY

— Loz (@Lozzemarine) July 28, 2024

Americans being so mad about Australia being better in the olympic swimming is soooooo good like you guys aren’t even girt how can you think for a second you make for good competition?

— burke (@ejburke_) July 28, 2024

In the Australian national anthem, ‘girt by sea’ means the country is surrounded by sea.

To those who pointed out that plenty of countries are technically girt by sea, one X (formerly Twitter) user hit back, “There’s a difference between surrounded and being girt.”

“Girt is a mindset.”

Although the clapback has only recently taken off, it is not the first time Australians have playfully weaponised their national anthem.

A response to a Reddit user’s query over why Australia was “overrepresented” in Olympic medal tallies also referenced being girt about three years ago.

Context for Americans who are confused when Aussies say ‘Girt by Sea’ is how we are good at swimming; Girt is a swimming coach who lives near the beach

Great woman, her swim school is one of the best parts of growing up in Aus

— John Delmenico (@thebigjohnnyd) July 30, 2024

pic.twitter.com/fnWNUrSD1n

— Marissa Lordanic (@marissalordanic) July 31, 2024

girt by sea being the line from the australian national anthem that becomes a bit during the olympics is so out of nowhere lmfaooo get girt losers

— vi 🏹 🍉 (@hotpinkIwt) July 29, 2024

Deloitte noted in 2021 that Australia’s coastal lifestyle provided an advantage in water sports, with a significant number of gold medals since 2008 coming from swimming, rowing and sailing.

But the real answer to the country’s sporting success is money.

Australia is a wealthy country that likes to invest in sport, particularly when there is an opportunity to defeat other countries at major international events like the Olympics.

Australia tends to be a nation of sport lovers; about 13.5 million adults and 3.6 million children take part in sport each year, spending $16.4 billion on participation in 2022.

In June, the government announced $283 million would flow to elite athletes, coaches and support staff, bringing total high-performance investment to $489 million over the next two years.

Apart from the glory of winning, this year’s Australian Olympic athletes have the added motivation of receiving between $10,000 and $20,000 for winning a medal, depending on where they place on the podium.

The Australian Olympic Committee also spends extra to keep athletes in comfort while competing.

This year it brought three baristas, thousands of typical Australian pantry items, portable air-conditioners and soft mattress toppers to the Paris Olympic Village.

Being girt by sea has little to do with the Olympic success, but in true Australian fashion, that is not stopping people from trolling the rest of the world.

Get girt.