Waltzing Matilda

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

by Hannah Harborow

110
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

by Sarrah Le Marquand

210
Defeating bullying one child at a time

by Peter James

310
Why can’t I be pope?

by Xavier Toby

410
My democratic dilemma after the death of a despot

by Gabriel Pizani

510
Punch on: Open thread 14/03/2013

by The Punch Team

610
Atheist church’s faithless flock proves value of religion

by Sam Clench

710
There’s no such thing as a free bus ticket

by Jessica Irvine

810
Politicians can’t control the economy

by Albert Alla

910
How far do the National Rifle Association’s sights focus?

by Scott Limbrick

1010

Back when the barstuds boiled their bloody billies

04 Mar 05:50am

Filed under: America, Australia, History, Language, Slang, United States Of America, Waltzing Matilda, War

Published in 1943 and given to every American serviceman heading Down Under to help with the war effort, the US War Department’s A Pocket Guide To Australia can be now be read in a different light.

Didjabringyagrogalong?

Almost 70 years on, the Pocket Guide appears to be a pretty accurate description of who we were. It may be quaint, but it’s a time capsule that says much about how we have changed as a people in outlook, ethnic composition, custom and language.

It tells of a mad gambling, umpire-hating people, who have strange ways of speaking, putting an ‘i’ where the ‘a’ should be. The booklet’s glossary of Australian slang contains words that have long since passed from our everyday usage.

Continue reading "Back when the barstuds boiled their bloody billies" »

Latest 2 of 31 comments

View all comments

Mark/Fox says:

08:48pm | 05/03/12

What was the original true blue Aussie is long gone, reliable, honest and trustworthy. Nowdays we have multiculturalism, “Dog eat Dog”. They were the good old days where you could leave the keys in your car. Nowdays you sleep with a baseball bat under your bed and you cannot read… Read more »
Cynicised says:

04:26pm | 05/03/12

On reflection, your idea that this was the beginning of widespread TPS in this country has merit if you accept Weber’s contention that the acquisition of status is a zero-sum game, that is, in order for one person (or group) to rise, another must fall. On a group level the perceived… Read more »

Add your comment

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

See all tweets

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go

Tim says:

They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]

From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go

Kel says:

If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]