skullbanker

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

or Scowbanker


n. a slang name in Australia for a loafer, a tramp.

1866. A. Michie, `Retrospects and Prospects of the Colony,'p. 9:

«A skull-banker is a species of the genus loafer – – halfhighwayman, half beggar. He is a haunter of stations,and lives on the squatters, amongst whom he makes a circuit,affecting to seek work and determining not to find it.»