buster, southerly

n.

The word is a corruptionof `burster,' that which bursts. A sudden and violent squallfrom the south. The name, used first in Sydney, has beenadopted also in other Australian cities. See Brickfielder.

1863. F. Fowler, in `Athenaeum,' Feb. 21, p. 264, col. 1:

«The cold wind or southerly buster which . . . carries a thickcloud of dust . . . across the city.»

1878. `The Australian,' vol. i. p. 587:

« Southerly Busters by `Ironbark.'»

1886. F. Cowan, `Australia, a Charcoal Sketch':

«The Buster and Brickfielder: austral red-dust blizzard;and red-hot Simoom.»

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, `Australian Life,' p. 40:

«Generally these winds end in what is commonly called a`southerly buster.' This is preceded by a lull in the hotwind; then suddenly (as it has been put) it is as though abladder of cool air were exploded, and the strong coolsoutherly air drives up with tremendous force. Howeverpleasant the change of temperature may be it is no mere pastimeto be caught in a `southerly buster,' but the drifting rainwhich always follows soon sets matters right, allays the dust,and then follows the calm fresh bracing wind which is the moredelightful by contrast with the misery through which one haspassed for three long dreary days and nights.»

1893. `The Australasian,' Aug. 12, p. 302, col. 1:

«You should see him with Commodore Jack out in the teethof the `hard glad weather,' when a southerly buster sweepsup the harbour.»

1896. H. A.Hunt, in `Three Essays on Australian Weather'(Sydney), p. 16:

An Essay on Southerly Bursters, . . . with Four Photographsand Five Diagrams.»

[Title of an essay which was awarded the prize of L 25 offeredby the Hon. Ralph Abercrombie.]