dirt

n.

In Australia, any alluvial deposit inwhich gold is found; properly Wash-dirt. The word isused in the United States. See quotation, 187.

1853. Mrs. Chas. Clancy, `Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings,'p. 109:

«And after doing this several times, the `dirt,' of course,gradually diminishing, I was overjoyed to see a few brightspecks.»

1857. Borthwick, `California,' [Bartlett, quoted in `O.E.D.']p. 120:

«In California, `dirt' is the universal word to signify thesubstance dug; earth, clay, gravel, or loose slate. The minerstalk of rich dirt and poor dirt, and of stripping off so manyfeet of `top dirt' before getting to `pay-dirt,' the lattermeaning dirt with so much gold in it that it will pay to dig itup and wash it.»

1870. J. O. Tucker, `The Mute,'p. 40:

«Others to these the precious dirt convey,

Linger a moment till the panning's through.»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xiv. p. 142:

«We were clean worked out . . . before many of our neighboursat Greenstone Gully, were half done with their dirt.»

Ibid. c. xviii. p. 177:

«We must trust in the Oxley `dirt' and a kind Providence.»