WHAT'S IN A NAME, MATE?

A Sideways Glance at the Hidden Meaning of Aussie Place Names

There are many place names around the world that cry out to tell you their true meaning. Well, perhaps not their ridgey didge true meaning, but who has ever looked at the name Footscray and not felt that it probably also exists as an entry in a medical dictionary? Or Patchewollock, or Humpty Doo? Exactly.

This work attempts to do for (or to) Australian place names what Douglas Adams and John Lloyd did for Britain and the rest of the world, in The Meaning of Liff and The Deeper Meaning of Liff.

Words by Duncan Waldron, illustrations by Matt Davis.

Creative Commons License
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.

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See Why am I doing this? for something approaching a motive.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Ban Ban Springs - Belyando Crossing

Ban Ban Springs n
The internal condition of a mattress, once it has been used as a trampoline. Will inevitably lead to Alice Springs (qv).

Bangerang v
To endure cheap sausages.

Bannockburn n
The increasingly uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, an hour or two after Bangerang. For this reason, it is best to steer clear of any boy scouts earnestly trying to make a sale during a charity barbecue. Just give them your money, and give the sausage to the nearest dog; there is always one at every such event. cf Beggan Beggan.

Bannycubba v
To attempt to hide a wine spill, cigarette burn, etc, by rapidly placing any available object over it. The object will be so obviously out of place (eg, a vacuum cleaner beside you on the dining table) that the hostess will immediately wish to remove it, thereby exposing the offence.

Barep n
A very short, sharp, loud burp, which appears without warning – often to startling effect. Bareps are responsible for 23% of all damage to dentures.

Barnie Bolac n
Any immigrant neighbour (Lithuanian, Scottish, Tasmanian, etc) who talks nineteen to the dozen about how overjoyed he is with his new resident status. On average, one word in 17 will be intelligible, but since you failed to ask him to repeat the first few sentences, you will spend at least 11 minutes wearing a Naringaringalook (qv) every time he corners you, as he believes you are quite happily following his every word. cf Connewirrecoo, Tullochgorum.

Beelerup n
A particular variety of fart that escapes gradually, like a tortured bubble rising between the cheeks. It is always silent, and can lead to insanity if prolonged. Careful scrutiny of parliamentary broadcasts on TV will occasionally show a member suffering a Beelerup, as they adopt peculiar positions to aid the passage.

Beggan Beggan n
The type of dog known to inhabit charity barbecues. They are trained and supplied for the purpose, namely, to make punters feel sorry for them with all that delicious barbecue smell wafting through the air. You will then buy a sausage sandwich and give a bit to the dog, so salving your conscience on two counts – supporting charity, and keeping man’s best friend happy. cf Bannockburn.

Bellawongarah n
The process of filling in your details on a bill or mail order form, sealing the envelope, and then realising the cheque is still sitting on the desk beside you. By extension, it may be applied to the sending of any email, without its intended attachment.

Belyando Crossing n
A meeting place one finds oneself in, 1.3 minutes after leaving Ohanlon’s Siding (qv), with the very person you were avoiding. cf Venables Crossing.

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