Glossary for John Pond of Oaks

Underdog When two men were hand sawing a log with a cross-cut saw they did so using a sawing pit. One man stood on top of the log gripping the handle on one end of the saw while the second man, gripping the handle on the other end, worked from the pit. He became the underdog, a name which in common usage was eventually given to anyone starting a task from a downwards (and very dirty) position (in life). The sawyer on the log was the top dog, incidentally, which a temporarily successful person was often called.

Old Dart A name often given to England at the time, which expression is said to have been shared by early New Zealand settlers as well. In the U.S. the same term often meant Ireland. The origin of the term has been mistakenly thought to be a reference to the notorious Dartmoor prison because of the number of convicts in early Australia. However, the word “dart” is thought to have meant “dirt” (as soil upon which every Englishman hopes to tread again one day).

Trap is a term used in early Australia for a constable which may or may not refer to an act which leads to the catching of a criminal. Police were often referred to as "Bobbies" or "Peelers" after Sir Robert (Bobby) Peel, who introduced the Police Act in England during early Australia. The term policeman was used later.

Piccaninni A baby Aboriginal. Not a derogatory term in early Australia. Said to be derived from the Portuguese ‘pequenino ‘ which is a term of endearment for a black baby. Notably born pink before skin pigmentation takes effect.

Lubra An Aboriginal woman. Not a derogatory term in early Australia.

Sulky A single horse-drawn lightly constructed wooden cart of comfortable style seating two or three people across. Usually sprung and lit without rear tray. Not to be confused with the cart used in trotting races which goes under the term “gig” in Australia.

Woomera An Aboriginal devise used to extend the arm. It was made of hardwood, was stone ground and about half the length of a man’s arm. A small knob made a notch for the loaded spear.

Wallaby An animal of the kangaroo family, smaller than a kangaroo.

Goanna A large lizard which was part of the Aboriginal diet.

Bullroarer A stubby narrow stick which when spun on a platted reed cord made a mournful sound held in high sacred significance by Aboriginals.

Walkabout An Aboriginal survival custom misunderstood by white settlers to be a qualm

Koori A name some Australian Aboriginals use to describe themselves. (Also Murri in some regions).

Dingo Wild Australian native dog

Gunyah A more or less permanent Aboriginal shelter constructed of bush sheddings (bark etc)

Mia Mia A temporary Aboriginal shelter constructed of loose bush sheddings.

Wombat A native Australian burrowing mammal of unusually tremendous bite.

Cricket An eleven-a-side English field game played on a in the centre of an oval. The score is tallied by the number of times the two batsmen cross (or 4 runs for a , 6 runs for a hit the boundary). A batsman is out when his wicket is broken and he is not safely “home” or if the ball breaks his wicket when bowled or if a fieldsman catches a hit ball on the full. The side is out when 10 have been taken. The side has all its team in the field at the same time. Bowling (with a straight arm over the head) is made in six ball “overs” from alternate ends. An illegal ball (no ball) gives the batting side a free . Football soccer

Pressed Much of England’s naval crew requirements were pressed into service by press gangs, groups of sailors who roamed the streets while their ship was in port, ready to pounce on some unsuspecting drunk or traveller and deliver him to their (no doubt for a favour of some sort, perhaps rum). After the ship left port, the victim was brought on deck and offered employment as a sailor (there being no alternative). Sailors so drafted into the Queen’s service were deemed to have been pressed, which made absolutely no difference to their status or prospects at sea.

Cabbage Tree Hat A peculiar shape of hat with a wobbly brim and head-hugging crown common in early Australia.

Gin An Aboriginal female of any age.

Sepoy An Indian of lower or basic rank in the Indian Army raised by the British East India Company under the auspices of the British Government.

Blackbirding A severely derogatory term for soliciting the Pacific islands for potential indentured labour candidates among native populations. This practice was, at best, borderline legally and drew harsh criticism among citizens both European and Islander, more towards the end of its tenure. When the practice was eventually outlawed, many of the progeny of the original Islanders refused to leave as Australia was the only home they had ever known. Expulsion attempts were, consequently, chaotic and mostly ineffective.

Roaring Forties Winds of constantly high velocity and direction which blow west to east within the 40 degrees south parallels of longitude. Used by sailing ships making for Australia from the Cape of Good Hope on the African southern tip.

Tuckered With meals (tucker) packed

Duke of Wellington The extremely popular British hero who defeated Napoleon at The Battle of Waterloo in 1815.