wigwam for a goose's bridle

alternative whim-wham for a goose's bridle

1. AustraliaA hypothetical object or construct proposed as an explanation when one wishes to withhold certain information.

   A well known 'family saying' is the mysterious 'Wigwam for a goose's bridle', said by adults to curious children who ask once too often 'What are you making?'

   2003, Gwenda Davey, Graham Seal, A Guide to Australian Folklore, page 62

   2 more examples

   "Where you goin'?" he called. "To git a wigwam for a goose's bridle!" yelled Smiley insolently, recalling one of the sayings of Granny McKinley, the oldest inhabitant.

   1954, Moore Raymond, Smiley, page 41

   When he wasn't at work he was usually off to see a man about a horse or to buy a wigwam for a goose's bridle. But he never brought the horse home like I asked him to, though we had a big enough backyard.

   1989, Di Brown, Angry Women: An Anthology of Australian Women's Writing, page 44