1896. `The Australasian,' June 6, p. 1085, col. 1:
"Jumbuck (a sheep) has been in use from the earliest days, but its origin is not known."
<hw>Jump</hw>, to, <i>v</i>. to take possession of a claim (mining) on land, on the ground that a former possessor has abandoned it, or has not fulfilled the conditions of the grant. The word is also used in the United States, but it is very common in Australia. Instead of "you have taken my seat," you have <i>jumped</i> it. So even with a pew. a man in England, to whom was said, "you have jumped my pew," would look astonished, as did that other who was informed, "Excuse me, sir, but you are occupewing my py."
1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' p. 31:
". . . on condition that he occupies it within twenty-four hours: should this rule not be observed, the right of the original holder is lost, and it may be occupied (or `jumped' as it is termed) by any other person as a deserted claim."
1861. `Victorian Hansard,' vol. vii. p. 942 (May 21):
"<i>Mr. Wood</i>: Some of the evils spoken of seemed indeed only to exist in the imagination of the hon. and learned gentleman, as, for instance, that of `jumping,' for which a remedy was already given by the 77th section of the present Act.
"<i>Mr. Ireland</i>: Yes; after the claim is `jumped.'"
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Miner's Right,' p. 37:
"If such work were not commenced within three days, any other miners might summarily take possession of or jump the claim."