billy

n.

a tin pot used as a bushman's kettle.The word comes from the proper name, used as abbreviation forWilliam. Compare the common uses of `Jack,' `Long Tom,'`Spinning Jenny.' It came into use about 1850. It is not usedin the following.

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 48:

«He then strikes a light and makes a fire to boil his kettleand fry his bacon.»

About 1850, the billy superseded the quart-pot (q.v.),chiefly because of its top-handle and its lid. Anothersuggested derivation is that billy is shortened from billycan, which is said to be bully-can (sc.Fr. bouili). In the early days « boeuf bouilli» was a common label on tins of preserved meat in ship's stores.These tins, called «bully-tins,» were used by diggers andothers as the modern billy is (see quotation 1835). A thirdexplanation gives as the origin the aboriginal word billa (river or water).

1835. T. B. Wilson, `Voyage Round the World,' p. 238:

«An empty preserved meat-canister serving the double purpose oftea-kettle and tea-pot.»

[The word billy is not used, but its origin isdescribed.]

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta,' vol. i. p. 202:

«A tin pan bearing the familiar name of a billy.»

1871 J. J. Simpson, `Recitations,' p. 5:

«He can't get a billy full for many a mile round.»

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 41:

«A billy (that is a round tin pitcher with a lid) in his hand.»

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iv. p. 69:

«A tin can, which the connoisseurs call for some reason orother a `billy.'»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream,' p. 24:

«A very black camp-kettle, or billy, of hot tea.»

1892. `The Australasian,' April 9, p. 707, col. 4:

«How we praised the simple supper (we prepared it each in turn),

And the tea! Ye gods! 'twas nectar.

Yonder billy was our urn.»