water-hole

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

n.


The word pond is seldomused in Australia. Any pond, natural or artificial, is calleda Water-hole. The word also denotes a depression orcavity in the bed of an intermittent river, which remains fullduring the summer when the river itself is dry.

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia,' vol. i. c. ii. p. 80:

«There was no smoke to betray a water-hole.»

1853. S. Sidney, `Three Colonies of Australia,' p. 245:

«The deep pools, called colonially `water-holes.'»

1862. F. J. Jobson, `Australia,' c. vii. p. 181:

«`Water-holes' appeared at intervals, but they seemed to havelittle water in them.»

1864. J. McDouall Stuart, `Explorations in Australia,' p. 58:

«About four miles from last night's camp the chain of largewater-holes commences, and continues beyond tonight's camp.»

1875. Wood and Lapham, `Waiting for the Mail,' p. 15:

«The water-hole was frozen over, so she was obliged to go onfarther, where the water ran.»

1875. `Spectator' (Melbourne), June 26, p. 94, col. 1:

«A bottomless water-hole, about 300 feet wide, exists at Maryvale homestead, Gipps Land.»

1878. Mrs. H. Jones, `Broad Outlines of Long Years inAustralia,' p. 97:

«`That will be another water-hole.' `What an ugly word . . .why don't you call them pools or ponds?' `I can't tell you whythey bear such a name, but we never call them anything else,and if you begin to talk of pools or ponds you'll get welllaughed at.'»

1896. `The Argus,' March 30, p. 6, col. 9:

[The murderer] has not since been heard of. Dams andwaterholes have been dragged . . . but without result.»

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