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Australian Vocabulary used in "Waltzing Matilda"

* Billabong: A waterhole.
* Billy: A can or small kettle used to boil water for tea.
* Coolabah tree: A type of native tree in Australia
* Jumbuck: A sheep. There are 20 times as many sheep as there are people in Australia.
* Matilda: Although there are several schools of thought, Matilda as originally used means is of Teutonic origins and means Mighty Battle Maiden, referring to the women in camps during the Thirty Year Wars in Europe. Later this more commonly referred to the great army coats or blankets that soldiers rolled into a swag and tossed over their shoulders while marching.
* Squatter: At one time, squatters claimed (seized) land for themselves in addition to land that they had been granted. Eventually through the continuous occupation of the land, their claims were legitimised in the eyes of the law.
* Swagman: Someone who lives on the open road. A hobo. The term came from the canvas bag that they would carry their bedroll and/or belongings in.
* Trooper: In Australia's early days, there was no police force. The colony was protected by and policed by soldiers and even when a police force was eventually formed, they were still referred to as 'troopers'.
* Tucker bag: A knapsack or bag for storing food in the bush.

AB
Billabonga waterhole
Billya can or small kettle used to boil water for tea
Coolabah treeA type of tree in Australia
JumbuckA sheep. There are 20 times as many sheep as people in Australia
Matildathe great army coats or blankets that soldiers rolled into a swag and tossed over their shoulders while marching
SwagmanSomeone who lives on the open road.
TrooperA soldier that protected colonists
Tucker bagA knapsack or bag for storing food in the bush.


Sixth Grade Teacher
Ray Middle School
Baldwinsville, NY

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