joey

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

I.


n.

1) A young kangaroo.

1839. W. H. Leigh, `Reconnoitring Voyages in South Australia'pp. 93-4:

«Here [in Kangaroo Island] is also the wallaba . . . Theyoung of the animal is called by the islanders a joe.»

1861. T. McCombie, I`Australian Sketches,' p. 172:

«The young kangaroos are termed joeys. The female carries thelatter in her pouch, but when hard pressed by dogs, and likelyto be sacrificed, she throws them down, which usually distractsthe attention of the pack and affords the mother sufficienttime to escape.»

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 10:

«Sometimes when the flying doe throws her `joey' from herpouch the dogs turn upon the little one.»

1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia,' p. 29:

«At length the actual fact of the Kangaroo's birth, which ismuch as that of other mammals, was carefully observed at theLondon Zoo, and the budding fiction joined the myths that were.It was there proved that the little `joey' is brought into theworld in the usual way, and forthwith conveyed to thecomfortable receptacle and affixed to the teat by the dam,which held the lifeless-looking little thing tenderly in hercloven lips.»

2) Also slang used for a baby or little child, or even a younganimal, such as a little guinea-pig. Compare «kid.»

3) A hewer of wood and drawer of water.

1845. J. A. Moore, `Tasmanian Rhymings,' p. 15:

«He was a `joey,' which, in truth,

Means nothing more than that youth

Who claims a kangaroo descent

Is by that nomenclature meant.»

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms,' p. 198:

«I'm not going to be wood-and-water Joey, I can tell ye.»

II.

see joe