ducks on the pond

English

Etymology

• (coded warning): Originally used in shearing sheds; later extended to other normally all-male environments, such as some pubs.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Noun

ducks on the pond pl (plural only)

1. (Australia) A coded warning used by men to alert each other that female guests ("ducks") are present ("on the pond"), so that for politeness they should moderate their language.
   • 1982, Patsy Adam-Smith, The Shearers, Thomas Nelson Australia, →ISBN, page 245:

     Usually the wool presser calls first, because most visitors to a shed come through the wool room. ‘Ducks on the Pond!’ he calls, and the warning is taken up again down along the shearing board.

2. (baseball) Members of a batting order who are on base; baserunners.

   There are two ducks on the pond for the cleanup hitter.

3. (Car Sales) There are customers arriving on the car lot.

   Ducks on the pond. Who is up?

Synonyms

• (coded warning): ducks have landed, feathers flying, they're on the pond