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

"For though lie scarcely a trot can raise,
He can take me back to the droving days."

<hw>Drum</hw>, <i>n</i>. a bundle; more usually called a <i>swag</i> (q.v.).

1866. Wm. Starner, `Recollections of a Life of Adventure,' vol. i. p. 304

". . . and `humping his drum' start off for the diggings to seek more gold."

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 17:

"They all chaffed us about our swags, or donkeys, or drums, as a bundle of things wrapped in a blanket is indifferently called."

1886. Frank Cowan, `Australia, Charcoal Sketch,' p. 31:

"The Swagman: bed and board upon his back—or, having humped his drum and set out on the wallaby . . ."

<hw>Drummer</hw>, <i>n</i>. a New South Wales name for the fish <i>Girella elevata</i>, Macl., of the same family as the <i>Black-fish</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Dry-blowing</hw>, <i>n</i>. a Western Australian term in gold-mining.