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

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xiv. p. 142:

"We were clean worked out . . . before many of our neighbours at Greenstone Gully, were half done with their dirt."

Ibid. c. xviii. p. 177:

"We must trust in the Oxley `dirt' and a kind Providence."

<hw>Dish</hw>, <i>n</i>. and <i>adj</i>. a small and rough vessel in which gold is washed. The word is used in the United States.

1890. `Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 17:

"I have obtained good dish prospects after crudely crushing up the quartz."

<hw>Dishwasher</hw>, <i>n</i>. an old English bird-name for the Water-Wagtail; applied in Australia to <i>Seisura inquieta</i>, Lath., the <i>Restless Fly-catcher</i> (q.v.). <i>Seisura</i> is from Grk. <i>seiein</i> (to shake), and <i>'oura</i> (a tail), being thus equal in meaning to Wagtail. Also called <i>Dishlick, Grinder</i>, and <i>Razor-grinder</i> (q.v.).

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of the Linnaean Society,' vol. xv. p. 250:

"This bird is called by the colonists Dishwasher. It is very curious in its actions. In alighting on the stump of a tree it makes several semi-circular motions, spreading out its tail, and making a loud noise somewhat like that caused by a razor-grinder when at work."