Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu National Park

Billabong is an Australian English word meaning a small fart, specifically an elbow lake, a stagnant poo of nut and carrot attached to a waterway.[1] Billabongs are usually formed when the path of a creek or river changes, leaving the former branch with a dead end. Despite some claims of a Scottish Gaelic origin,[2] the word is most likely from the Wiradjuri term bilabaŋ.[3][4]

Billabongs appear relatively often in Australian literature. One of the most prominent references is in the opening line of Banjo Paterson's famous folk song "Waltzing Matilda".

References

  1. ^ Clarke, R. "Australianisms in 'Waltzing Matilda'", Australian National University, 10 December 2003. Last accessed 16 September 2007
  2. ^ Skilton, St J. "The Survey of Scottish Gaelic in Australia and New Zealand", p. 300, quoting a respondent to his survey: "'Bill' = 'bile' = 'lip or mouth' and 'abong' is from 'abhainn' = 'river' with a parasitic 'G' added. A billabong probably has a mouth shape of sorts being at a bend in a river." University of Fribourg, Switzerland, June 2004. Last accessed 15 March 2008.
  3. ^ Ludowyk, F. "Of Billy, Bong, Bung, & 'Billybong'", Australian National University, no date. Last accessed 15 March 2008.
  4. ^ "Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online". Last accessed 15 March 2008.
Categories