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

<hw>Hand, Old</hw>, <i>n.</i> one who has been a convict.

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' p. 141:

"The men who have been convicts are termed `old hands'; they are mostly rude, rough men, with no moral principle or religious feeling, and who have little sympathy for humanity."

1865. J. O. Tucker, `Australian Story,' c. i. p. 85:

"Reformed convicts, or, in the language of their proverbial cant, `old hands.'"

1865. F. H. Nixon, `Peter Perfume,' p. 102:

"`Boshman' in the old-hand vernacular signifies a fiddler."
["Bosh in gypsy means music and also violin." -Barrere and
Leland.]

1885. J. Rae, `Chirps by an Australian Sparrow,' p. 99:

"The old hands were quite tidy too
With hats of cabbage-tree."

<hw>Hang up</hw>, v. to tie up a horse.