Austral English Part 44

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes `(edition 1855), p. 17:

"There are to be found round the doors of the Sydney Theatre a sort of `loafers' known as the Cabbage-tree mob,--a cla.s.s who, in the spirit of the ancient tyrant, one might excusably wish had but one nose in order to make it a b.l.o.o.d.y one... . Unaware of the propensities of the cabbagites he was by them furiously a.s.sailed."

Cad, n. name in Queensland for the Cicada (q.v.).

1896. `The Australasian,' Jan. 11, p. 76, col. 1:

"From the trees sounds the shrill chirp of large green cicada (native cads as the bushmen call them)."

Caddie, n. a bush name for the slouch-hat or wide-awake. In the Australian bush the brim is generally turned down at the back and sometimes all round.

Cadet, n. term used in New Zealand, answering to the Australian Colonial Experience, or jackaroo (q.v.).

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 68:

"A cadet, as they are called--he is a clergyman's son learning sheepfarming under our auspices."

1871. C. L. Money, `Knocking About in New Zealand,' p. 6:

"The military designation of cadet was applied to any young fellow who was attached to a sheep or cattle station in the same capacity as myself. He was `neither flesh nor fowl nor good red herring,' neither master nor man. He was sent to work with the men, but not paid."

Caloprymnus, n. the scientific name of the genus called the Plain Kangaroo-Rat.

(Grk. kalos, beautiful, and prumnon, hinder part.) It has bright flanks. See Kangaroo-Rat.

Camp, n. (1) A place to live in, generally temporary; a rest.

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia,' pp. 46, 47:

" I was shown my camp, which was a slab but about a hundred yards away from the big house... . I was rather tired, and not sorry for the prospect of a camp."

(2) A place for mustering cattle.

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia,' p. 64:

"All about the run, at intervals of fire or six miles, are cattle-camps, and the cattle that belong to the surrounding districts are mustered on their respective camps."

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River,' p. 26:

"There was never his like in the open bush, And never his match on the cattle-camps."

(3) In Australia, frequently used for a camping-out expedition.

Often in composition with "out," a camp-out.

1869. `Colonial Monthly,' vol. iv.p. 289:

"A young fellow with even a moderate degree of sensibility must be excited by the novelty of his first `camp-out' in the Australian bush."

1880. R. H. Inglis, `Australian Cousins,' p. 233:

"We're going to have a regular camp; we intend going to Port Hocking to have some shooting, fis.h.i.+ng, and general diversion."

(4) A name for Sydney and for Hobart, now long obsolete, originating when British military forces were stationed there.

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. ii.

p. 70:

"It is the old resident--he who still calls Sydney, with its population of twelve thousand inhabitants, the camp,--that can appreciate these things: he who still recollects the few earth-huts and solitary tents scattered through the forest brush surrounding Sydney Cove (known properly then indeed by the name of `The Camp')."

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 193:

"Living during the winter in Hobarton, usually called `the camp,' in those days."

Camp, v. (1) Generally in composition with "out," to sleep in the open air, usually without any covering.

Camping out is exceedingly common in Australia owing to the warmth of the climate and the rarity of rain.

1867. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 125:

"I like to hear of benighted or belated travellers when they have had to `camp out,' as it is technically called."

1875. R. and F. Hill, `What we saw in Australia,' p. 208:

"So the Bishop determined to `camp-out' at once where a good fire could be made."

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. ii. p. 43:

"There is room here for fifty, rolled up on the floor; and should that fail them, there is no end of other places; or the bush, as a fall back, where, indeed, some of them prefer camping as it is."

1891. `The Australasian,' Nov. 14, p. 963, col. 1: `A Lady in the Kermadecs':

"For three months I `camped out' there alone, shepherding a flock of Angoras."

(2) By extension, to sleep in any unusual place, or at an unusual time.

1893. `Review of Reviews' (Australasian ed. ), March, p. 51:

"The campaign came to an abrupt and somewhat inglorious close, Sir George Dibbs having to `camp' in a railway carriage, and Sir Henry Parkes being flood-bound at Quirindi."

1896. Modern:

"Visitor,--`Where's your Mother?' `Oh, she's camping.'" [The lady was enjoying an afternoon nap indoors.]

(3) To stop for a rest in the middle of the day.

1891. Mrs. Cross (Ada Cambridge), `The Three Miss Kings,'

p. 180:

"We'll have lunch first before we investigate the caves--if it's agreeable to you. I will take the horses out, and we'll find a nice place to camp before they come."

(4) To floor or prove superior to. Slang.