aboriginal word of New South Wales,meaning banter, chaff, fun at another's expense. (See quotation, 1845.) Prior to 1870 the word was much in use onthe stations in New South Wales. About 1870 Victorian farmers'sons took shearing work there, and brought back the word withthem. It was subsequently altered to barrack (q.v.).
1845. C. Griffith, `Present State and Prospects of the PortPhillip District of New South Wales,' p. 162:
«The following is a specimen of such eloquence: – – `Youpilmillally jumbuck, plenty sulky me, plenty boom, borackgammon,' which, being interpreted, means – – `If you steal mysheep I shall be very angry, and will shoot you and nomistake.'»
1856. W. W. Dobie, `Recollections of a Visit to Port Phillip,Australia, in 1852-55' p. 93:
«. . . he gravely assured me that it was `merrijig' (verygood), and that `blackfellow doctor was far better thanwhitefellow doctor.' In proof of which he would say, `Borakyou ever see black fellow with waddie (wooden) leg.Bungalallee white fellow doctor cut him leg, borak blackfellow stupid like it that.»
1885. `Australasian Printers' Keepsake,' p. 75:
«On telling him my adventures, how Bob in my misery had `pokedborack' at me. . . .»
1888. Alfred J.Chandler,' Curley' in `Australian Poets,'1788-1888, ed. Sladen, p. 100:
«Here broke in Super Scotty, `Stop
Your borak, give the bloomin' man a show.'»
1893. `The Argus,' Aug. 26, p. 13, col. 1:
«It does not do for a man whose mission it is to wear stuff anda horse-hair wig to `poke borak' at that venerable andeminently respectable institution – – the law, and still worse isit for a practising barrister to actually set to work, even inthe most kindly spirit, to criticise the judges, before whom atany moment he may be called upon to plead.»