a gang. The word is of late verycommon in Australia. It was once a prison term. Barrere andLeland quote from M. Davitt's `Leaves from a Prison Diary,'«the upper ten push.» In Thieves' English it is – – (1) a crowd;(2) an association for a particular robbery. In Australia, itsuse began with the larrikins (q.v.), and spread, untilnow it often means clique, set, party, and even jocularly sofar as «the Government House Push.»
1890. `The Argus,' July 26, p. 4, col. 3:
«`Doolan's push' were a party of larrikins working . . .in a potato paddock near by.»
1892. A topical song by E. J. Lonnen began:
«I've chucked up my Push for my Donah.»
1893. `The Australasian,' June 24, p. 1165, col. 4:
«He [the young clergyman] is actually a member of every `push'in his neighbourhood, and the effect has been not to degradethe pastor, but to sweeten and elevate the `push.'»
1893. `Sydney Morning Herald,' June 26, p. 8, col. 7:
«For a long time past the `push' at Miller's Point, whichconsists of young fellows for the most part under twenty-oneyears of age, have been a terrible source of annoyance, and,indeed, of actual danger. A few years ago the police byresolute dealings with the larrikin pest almost put it downin the neighbourhood, the part of it which was left beingthoroughly cowed, and consequently afraid to make anydisturbance. Within the past eighteen months or two years theold `push' has been strengthened by the addition of youths justentering on manhood, who, gradually increasing in numbers, haveelbowed their predecessors out of the field. Day by day thenew `push' has become more daring. From chaffing drunken menand insulting defenceless women, the company has taken toassault, to daylight robbery.»
1893. `The Argus,' July 1, p. 10, col. 7:
«The Premier, in consultation with the inspector-general of thepolice, has made arrangements to protect life and propertyagainst the misconduct of the lawless larrikin `pushes' nowterrorising Sydney.»
1894. `Sydney Morning Herald' (date lost):
«The word larrikin is excellently descriptive of theirresponsible, mischievous, anti-social creature whoseeccentric action is the outcome of too much mutton. Thisimmoral will-o' – the-wisp, seized with a desire to jostle, orthump, or smash, combines for the occasion with others likehimself, and the shouldering, shoving gang is well called apush.»