Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

(2) To finish shearing.

1890. `The Argus,' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 6:

"When the stations `cut out,' as the term for finishing is, and the shearers and rouseabout men leave."

<hw>Cutting-grass</hw>, <i>n</i>. <i>Cladium psittacorum</i>, Labill., <i>N.O. Cyperaceae</i>. It grows very long narrow blades whose thin rigid edge will readily cut flesh if incautiously handled; it is often called <i>Sword-grass</i>.

1858. T. McCombie `History of Victoria,' vol. i. p. 8:

"Long grass, known as cutting-grass between four and five feet high, the blade an inch and a half broad, the edges exquisitely sharp."

1891. W. Tilley, `Wild West of Tasmania,' p. 42:

"Travelling would be almost impossible but for the button rush and cutting grass, which grow in big tussocks out of the surrounding bog."

1894. `The Age,' Oct. 19, p. 5, col. 8:

"`Cutting grass' is the technical term for a hard, tough grass about eight or ten inches high, three-edged like a bayonet, which stock cannot eat because in their efforts to bite it off it cuts their mouths."