Atley uses it to describe his adjustment to life as an AFL footballer, having gone from training one day a week last year with the Murray Bushrangers to the Kangaroos' full-time regime.
He also uses it when talking about how steep the step is from junior football to the AFL, where he says the speed at which the ball zips around makes your head spin.
But, most relevantly this week, he uses it to describe the challenge Geelong and its all-star midfield will present to the Kangaroos and himself at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
Given the Cats will be attempting to win their 25th consecutive game at their home ground - which would be a League record at one venue - Atley's choice of adjective describes the challenge perfectly.
But the 18-year-old, who has played every game since being selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, is excited rather than daunted by the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Paul Chapman, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey.
"It's hard when you've got to go out there and play against blokes you have always idolised through junior footy," Atley said.
"But I've found after a couple of games you realise, they're only other blokes, so you try not to get too daunted by it."
Atley says there has been no talk at Aegis Park this week about North coach Brad Scott's looming clash with twin brother and Geelong coach Chris.
Saturday's game will be the first time in League history twins have coached against each other, but Atley says North is focused on testing itself against the undefeated Geelong team.
However, he is mindful it's the sort of test the Kangaroos have flunked recently.
Atley was part of the North side flogged by reigning premier Collingwood by 87 points in round two, and is aware of its struggles against the top-four sides last season.
Nonetheless, Atley is confident the Kangaroos can challenge the Cats. He says to do so they will have to improve their disposal efficiency, conversion in front of goal, and run and carry.
These were the areas that particularly let the Kangaroos down in their loss to Collingwood and which characterised their 0-4 start to the season.
But Atley says North has been working hard on these parts of its game and, slowly but surely, the improvement has come, most evidently in its first win of 2011, by 60 points against Port Adelaide last Saturday.
As much as the win was a much-needed confidence boost for the Kangaroos, it was a thrill for Atley to sing the club song for the first time in victory.
"It was unreal after four losses to finally get a win," he said.
"To be put out in front of the guys (as they sang the team song) was great. You get showered with Powerade, but it's all a bit of fun."
Not that Atley has allowed himself to get carried away with the win. He's too level-headed for that.
While he has been impressive in averaging 14 possessions in his five games to date, all he will say is he's been "lucky enough" to hold his place in the side.
He is not one to set himself any goals beyond North's next game either, preferring instead to focus on developing his confidence and his game, particularly his kicking.
And if adjusting to life in the AFL hasn't been hard enough, Atley has also had to adjust to city life after moving from Albury-Wodonga.
"I'm a country boy so I was living on the farm and there wasn't too much traffic," he said.
"So the biggest thing I've had to adjust to is how much traffic there is around here and also parking fines.
"It's been a massive change."
