«We don`t know who used it first, but we can only assume it was someone about three hundred years ago. It`s sometimes used to describe bisexuals — they don`t care if it`s Arthur or Martha they`re dating — but honestly, unless you`re with someone in their sixties, it`s not a very useful term. It`s not that there aren`t other rhymed names that seem less monotonous – Steve or Eve, Jerry or Kerry, Helen, or a hole carved out of a melon. We think it has more to do with the implication that bisexuals are not that difficult. «1 About «everywhere like Brown`s cows»: The following definition comes from A Glossary of Words in use in the Counties of Antrim and Down (London: Published for the English Dialect Society by Trübner & Co., 1880), by William Hugh Patterson (1835-1918): The deceased deplored Mr. Rafferty would have jumped for joy if he had been at Erskineville Oval yesterday when Eastern Suburbs and Newtown hosted Trials for the next season of the league. Players were everywhere like Brown`s Cows 1, and most didn`t know if they were Arthur or Martha. Still, the season is the only beginning, and Rafferty will be ashamed later. In response to: Arthur or Martha posted by Sarah posted by August 09, 2005 Startup weddingA short-lived bond between two young adults. Essentially a test for the real thing.
Cr Schneider`s statement in your report on the last Hume County Council meeting that the Lavington Progress Association had been «kept informed of information» about the water system is outrageous. […] The situation is that the people of Lavington don`t know if they are Arthur or Martha. They do not know how much the initial estimate of the costs of the water system will be increased, they do not know whether it would be cheaper to obtain water from Albury City Council, or whether this plan has been fully and carefully considered; whether sufficient arrangements are made for a continued expansion of the area to be networked; whether it is possible to attach larger inlet pipes to properties than the advertised three-quarters of an inch limit to allow horticulture through irrigation; and many other issues of particular interest to them. 2-: From the caption to the following cartoon illustrating Not For Lesbians Only, «an excerpt from a speech to feminists at a socialist-feminist conference in Ohio in July 1975 on ideas about lesbian-feminist politics», published in Camp Ink 2 (Sydney, New South Wales) of December 1976: 3-: From the caption to the following photo, published in Truth (Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales) of Sunday, March 14, 1948: These are, in chronological order, the first occurrences of this sentence I found: Grey NomadThe Australian National Dictionary Centre defines this as a retired person who «travels a lot in Australia, especially with a motorhome, caravan or motorhome». The expression of not knowing if one is Arthur or Martha, and its variants are also used in terms of sexual orientation or gender identity. These are two examples of this use: Chardonnay socialistJemand, who has left-wing or socialist views but leads a prosperous lifestyle, plays the British English term «socialist champagne» and alludes to the popularity of Chardonnay in Australia. «What is the origin of the expression `Arthur or Martha`?» ParmoNot to be confused with Parm [esan] chicken in the United States, it is a typical takeaway dish from the north-east of England, consisting of fried breaded chicken covered with béchamel sauce and cheese before grilling. GankTo take or steal something – for example: «His laptop has been gannked». This could stem from a shortening of the modified pronunciation of «gangsters,» according to Oxford Dictionaries. 1-: From They Hosed Them Out (Sydney: Australasian Book Society, 1965), by `John Beede`, pseudonym of Australian author John Bede Cusack (1908-1979): This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Find out how your comment data is processed. Budgerigar smugglersNo allusion to those who accumulate parrots, but tight-fitting male swimsuits. The term is believed to be «a variant of English international smugglers for such clothing». A large number of Euchre players 😳 gathered at the Boomerang Club on Monday night for the first night of the ensemble. […] We thought Mrs. Clifford had a good night`s visiting each table, and then someone told me it was about picking up the money. Well, excuse my mistake because I was so weakened by a superior game that I didn`t know if the name was Arthur or Martha. : I was wondering where the phrase «He doesn`t know if he`s Arthur or Martha» comes from and what was its original meaning? Any information would be great. Thank you.
Australia`s National Dictionary was updated this week for the first time in 28 years, immortalizing 6,000 new words and phrases. Entries added to the nation`s lexicon include colorful colloquial languages and idioms, regional phrases, and words derived from more than 100 Indigenous languages. GlampingCamping – but with much more luxurious facilities than the average tent. Bar One is engaged in Gosford on Tuesday and if this horse plays a leading role in market operations, backers and bookmakers will not know if they are on Arthur or Martha. You comment with your WordPress.com account. ( Logout / Modification ) PwnTo be completely defeated, especially online (for example, if your computer is supported by a hacker). Oxford Dictionaries says this is likely due to «a common typo due to the proximity of the letter P to the letter O on a keyboard.» Bish-bash-boshA phrase that is used when you explain a process (usually) in three steps that you have just completed and assume that it has been done quite effectively. «I ordered the parts, they were delivered the next day and I repaired the computer. Bish-bash-bosh. The main meaning of the Australian-English phrase, not knowing if you are Arthur or Martha, and its variants is to be in a state of confusion. Enter your details below or click on an icon to register: 2 Camp Ink was the magazine of Campaign Against Moral Persecution (aka CAMP), Australia`s first national gay rights organisation. Continue like a pork chop to behave foolishly. The Australian National Dictionary Centre suggests that it is probably a derivative of a previous sentence, «like a pork chop in a synagogue,» meaning unlikely or rare.
RurosexualA «fashionable young man living in a rural area». (See Lumberjacks). CBAAn acronym for the Anglo-British slang term «can`t be arsé», i.e. if you don`t want to do something out of laziness. Make a BradburyTo become the unlikely winner. Named in honor of Steven Bradbury, a former speed skater who won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics after his competitors crashed just before the finish line and fell on the ice. Bradbury, who had been in last place until then, led to the victory. Besides bisexuals, the term has probably also been used on transsexuals and transvestites. One of the approximately 500 indigenous words now included in the dictionary means «a partner, close friend or relative» and comes «from Warlpiri and other languages of the Northern Territory and North Queensland». When we fainted on the English coast […], I looked down and saw an incredible sight; A real surf ride on a white sand beach guarded by imposing promontories.
«Cripes,» I shouted, «there`s a surf there. What kind of place is this, Jack? After a pause, he said, «Newquay.» «This is the place where I go.» There were real howlers under these waves. «You`re probably freezing your crackers,» Bill said skeptically. «I`ve only tried swimming here once and I didn`t know if I was Arthur or Martha when I went out.» All together like Brown`s cows or like Brown`s cows in one piece, a comparison. Unable to organize a chook raffleA chook raffle is a chicken raffle that takes place in Australian clubs or pubs. Someone who «couldn`t draw lots» has below-average organizational skills. The next British equivalent could be «couldn`t organize a pis-up in a brewery». Stupid hoursA time of day that is absurdly sooner or later.
«I`ll be on the morning shift tomorrow, so I have to get up at a stupid clock.» Dry as a dead dingo-donger. A dingo is an Australian wild dog. We suspect that the rest does not need an explanation. In June, Oxford University Press, whose Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries publish the Australian Dictionary, also updated the Oxford English Dictionary, the great old book of English letters, with more than 1,000 new entries ranging from foreign words to acronyms and colloquial expressions. We went through some of the new entries in both dictionaries, picked our favorites, and came to the conclusion that there is nothing better than an Australian idiom. 4-: From Euchre, by `Alone`, published in the Border Morning Mail (Albury, New South Wales) on Tuesday, 1 June 1948: 2-: From Euchre, by `Alone`, published in The Grenfell Record and Bland and Lachlan Districts Advertiser (Grenfell, New South Wales) on Thursday 21 February 1946: 1-: From Bar One: Name to be Changed, published in The Inverell Times (Inverell, New South Wales) on Friday 16. May 1941 – deciphered from the original document, which is almost illegible: —Background: For the bar one racehorse, a different name should be chosen, because this name could cause confusion in the public and among bookmakers: I do not know if I am Arthur or Martha, who is in a state of confusion – a sentence whose origin is unclear, but was first recorded in the 1940s. A comparable (but much more boring) expression in American or British English might be: not knowing if you`re coming or going. On another page, «He doesn`t know if he`s Arthur or Martha» was listed as an Australian proverb.