smoko

plural smokos · alternative smoke-o · alternative smoke-oh · alternative smokeho

1. AustraliaNew ZealandcolloquialnauticalA cigarette break from work or military duty; a brief cessation of work to have a smoke, or (more generally) to take a small rest, snack etc.First known use 19th c.

   We saw the innards of a submarine, and afterwards, at smoke-oh, I entertained the men with my story of the bagman's battle with John Oliver O'Dowd.

   1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 516

   3 more examples

   2005, Lexie Simmons, Darrell Lewis, Kajirri, the Bush Missus, Central Queensland University Press, page 16, This area was the general meeting place for all the Aboriginal workers who had some time to spare. The house girls took their smoko or lunch there and were soon joined by everyone else who′d stopped work after the smoko or lunchtime bell.

   2007, Lewis Yerloburka O′Brien, Mary-Ann Gale (transcriber), And the Clock Struck Thirteen: The Life and Thoughts of Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O′Brien as told to Mary-Ann Gale, page 163, One day Ox-head came up to us during smoko to have a yarn and to help himself to some lollies another bloke, Seth, had bought.

   2008, Ann Jones, Put the Billy On, Glass House Books, Australia, page 85, ‘You chaps should have a camp this afternoon,’ Dad suggested as they finished their meal. ‘You must be tired out. There′s a couple of stretchers upstairs along the verandah. Have a camp on those and we′ll wake you for smoko,’ and the party dispersed until the bell was rung.

2. Falkland Islands; Antarctica; Falkland Islands; AntarcticaA tea break or coffee break with cakes, snacks, etc.

1. A locality in Alpine Shire, north eastern Victoria, Australia.