Words : bludger
Posted: April 18, 2011 Filed under: language | Tags: Australian National Dictionary Centre, Australian slang, bludger, Trove Australia 1 CommentNext time you hear the word bludger or are tempted to use it to describe someone, think about its derivation (now obsolete in usage).
The entry for bludger in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable reads
(Aust.) Originally (19th century) a pimp, but later any scrounger or one profiting without risk. In World War I to bludge on the flag meant to slack in the army.
The Australian National University’s Australian National Dictionary Centre has a most comprehensive derivation, description and history of the word bludger.
Thank you for drawing attention to the change in meaning of this word and the online resources provided by the Australian National Dictionary Centre.
You’re welcome Yvonne. Good to have discovered your blog today too via #troveaustralia search on Twitter.