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Oct 16, 2003

This week's theme
Words originating in Australia

This week's words
furphy
fossick
wowser
yabber
dinkum

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yabber

verb tr. intr.: To talk; converse.

noun: (also yabberer) Talk; conversation.

Australian pidgin, probably from aboriginal yaba.

"Is it French or Queensland's blacks' yabber? Blest if I can understand a word of it."
Rolf Boldrewood; Robbery Under Arms; 1888.

"Floating between Australia and England as the Centre does, 'yabber' seems to suit our positioning. We invite any contributions to this column devoted to conversing and sharing news about things Australian."
Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King's College, University of London, Newsletter; Dec 1999.

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