connie agate

English

Etymology

Perhaps a diminutive of cornelian + agate (“a playing marble carved from agate stone”).

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): / kɒniː ˈæɡət/
• Rhymes: -æɡət

Noun

connie agate (plural connie agates)

1. (Australia, colloquial) A playing marble made from agate.
   • 1976, David Ireland, The Glass Canoe, page 103:

     ‘Mine’s the blood alley.’ ‘No it’s not, yours is the connie agate.’

   • 1980, Clive James, chapter II, in Unreliable Memoirs, page 19:

     My collection of marbles consisted mainly of priceless connie agates handed down by Grandpa.

   • 1993 September 19, The Canberra Times, page 20:

     I knew the very taw I wanted amongst those cats-eyes and tom bowlers. It was a connie agate, to which I attributed preternatural powers.’

Usage notes

• Commonly used by schoolchildren.

Synonyms

• aggie