a sheep-shearing term. See quotations. Mr. Hornung's explanation of the origin(quotation, 1894) is probably right. See Rings.
1890. `The Argus,' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 6:
«A `ringer' being the man who by his superior skill andexpertness `tops the score' – – that is, shears the highest numberof sheep per day.»
1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), Dec. 23, p. 6, col. 1:
«Whence came the term `ringer,' as applied to the quickestshearer, I don't know. It might possibly have some associationwith a man who can get quoits on to the peg, and again, itmight not, as was remarked just now by my mate, who is campedwith me.»
1894. E. W. Hornung, `Boss of Taroomba,' p. 101:
«They call him the ringer of the shed. That means the fastestshearer – – the man who runs rings round the rest, eh?»
1894. `Geelong Grammar School Quarterly,' April, p. 26:
«Another favourite [school] phrase is a `regular ringer.'
Great excellence is implied by this expression.»
1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River,' p. 162:
«The Shearers sat in the firelight, hearty and hale and strong,
After the hard day's shearing, passing the joke along
The `ringer' that shore a hundred, as they never were shorn before,
And the novice who toiling bravely had tommyhawked half a score.»