paramatta

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

/sic/, n.


«A fabric like merino, ofworsted and cotton. So named from Paramatta, a townnear Sydney, New South Wales.» (Skeat, `EtymologicalDictionary,' s.v.) According to some, the place named Parramatta means, in the local Aboriginal dialect, «eelsabound,» or «plenty of eels.» Others rather put it that para = fish, and matta= water. There is a riverin Queensland called the Paroo, which means «fish-river.»

NOTE. – – The town Parramatta, though formerly often spelt withone r, is now always spelt with two.

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 367:

«A peculiar tweed, made in the colony, and chiefly at Paramatta,hence the name.»

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 19:

«Paramattas, fine cloths originally made from the Paramattawool, with silk warps, though now woollen.»

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