1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria,' vol. i. p. 43:
"The digger marching off, followed by his diggeress, a tall, slim young woman, who strode on like a trooper. . . . Open carriages driving about, crowded with diggers and their diggeresses."
1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' pt. ii. p. 36:
"I'm tir'd of being a diggeress,
And yearn a farmer's home to grace."
<hw>Diggings</hw>, <i>n</i>. a place where gold-mining is carried on. The word is generally regarded as singular. Though common in Australia, it is very old, even in the sense of a place where digging for gold is carried on.
1769. De Foe's `Tour of Great Britain,' i. 39 (`O.E.D.'):
"King Henry VIII. was induced to dig for Gold. He was disappointed, but the Diggings are visible at this Day."
1852. J. Morgan, `Life and Adventures of William Buckley' (published at Hobart), p. 183 [quoting from the `Victoria Commercial Review,' published at Melbourne, by Messrs. Westgarth, Ross, & Co., under date September 1, 1851]:
"The existence of a `goldfield' was not ascertained until May last. . . . Numbers of persons are daily `prospecting' throughout this Colony and New South Wales in search of gold. . . .In Victoria, as well as in New South Wales, regular `diggings' are now established."
1852. Murray, `The Australian Gold Diggings: where they are and how to get at them,' p. 1;