dinkum

comparative more dinkum · superlative most dinkum

1. AustraliaNew ZealandslangGenuine, true, honest, on the level.First known use 1894

   The dinkum Aussie everyone talks about, almost always with a certain unreal sentimentality, is clearly a worker.

   1966, Craig McGregor, Profile of Australia, page 21

   3 more examples

   Hon. Sir Ross McLarty: We were always dinkum. Mr. MAY: The ultimate result showed how dinkum the hon. member was.

   1956, parliamentary debates (Western Australian Parliament), page 2194

   Larry's jeep was behind mine, and as I went past an intersection, I saw a lot of their chaps around a dinkum super Mark VI tank — p'raps a Mark VII or VIII. I didn't have a chance for a proper dinkum look-see, what?

   2004, A. J. Liebling, Direction: Paris: Mollie and Other War Pieces, page 242

   He explained that he was due to have a game of hazards that night with a couple of Italian prospectors and that he was doctoring the dice so that they would do just what he wanted them to do. ‘Tim, is this game dinkum?’ asked Ted. Highly indignant that such a suspicion should arise, he replied angrily: ‘Of course it's dinkum. They'll have loaded dice too!’

   2006, Ron Fitch, Australian Railwayman: From Cadet Engineer to Railways Commissioner, page 65

   Synonyms: dinky-die

1. AustraliaNew ZealandobsoleterareslanguncountableHard work.First known use 1882
2. AustraliaNew ZealanddatedslanguncountableTruth.

   You look real jockey — thats' the dinkum.

   1917, Ralph Albert Parlette, The Lyceum magazine, volume 27, page 20