bonzer
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Entered use 1900–05, origin unknown.
In 2020 James Lambert reviewed previous theories, and supports derivation from:[1]
Lambert also notes as not supported by evidence:
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
bonzer (comparative more bonzer, superlative most bonzer)
- (Australia, New Zealand, informal) Remarkable; wonderful; excellent; terrific.
- 1915, Young Men's Christian Associations. International Committee, For the millions of men now under arms, volume 2:
- To see their faces brighten and to hear their 'Thanks Cobber, that was bonzer!' was a joy
- 1916, C. J. Dennis, "In Spadger′s Lane", in The Moods of Ginger Mick, 2009, Sydney University Press, page 36:
- To all the earth she gives the soft glad-eye;
- She picks no fav′rits in this world o′ men;
- She peeps in nooks, where ′appy lovers sigh,
- To make their joy more bonzer still; an′ then,
- O′er Spadger′s Lane she waves a podgy ′and,
- An′ turns the scowlin′ slums to Fairyland.
- 1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter XIII, in Capricornia[1], New York: D. Appleton-Century, published 1943, page 220:
- You’ll make the bonzerest couple ever seen this side the Tropic.
- 1945, Doglas Stewart, editor, Coast to Coast: Australian Stories 1945[2], page 51:
- By cripes, you couldn′t have a more bonzer place for doing the thing in style with girls.
- 1991, Noel Virtue, Always the Islands of Memory[3], page 148:
- Inside sat one of the most bonzer sights she′d ever seen.
- 2006, Philippa Todd, Dangerous Dating, page 110:
- The sadness about his father left his face, and he smiled. He seemed pleased to have something positive to do. / 'That's bonzer, Annie. Thanks' he said. 'You're a good sort. And as for Ches, well, he's real bonzer too.'
- 2007, Eric Stone, The Living Room of the Dead, page 252:
- If playin' hero is so bonzer, what're you doin' in this job? Y'oughta be workin' for one o' those scandal rags, or with a crowd o' do-gooders, or for some investigation outfit or somethin'.
Translations edit
wonderful, excellent, terrific
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Noun edit
bonzer (plural bonzers)
- (Australia, New Zealand, informal, obsolete) An excellent person or thing.
- 1904 August 28, The Truth, Sydney, page 1, column 7:
- King Ned is a "bonzer".
Synonyms edit
Related terms edit
References edit
- ^ James Lambert "What Makes a Bonzer Etymology?" (3 September 2020) Green's Dictionary of Slang
Further reading edit
- “bonzer”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- Australian English Glossary from A to Zed - Travelogue
- Australian words: Encyclopedia II - Australian words - Old, declining or expired slang