This is one for the Aussies :) Am I the only one who cringes every time a politician says "fair dinkum"? I mean, who actually says "fair dinkum" in regular conversation? Say what you like about Tony Abbott, but he's got to be one of the worst in recent memory for saying it: "I think people are starting to understand that this prime minister isn't quite fair dinkum." "There is a lot that we can do here that we know will be fair dinkum; we can't be sure about all the environmental schemes in other countries that they'll be fair dinkum." (twice in one sentence!) the Opposition Leader said his shadow ministry team would see the Coalition move from "being a government in exile to being a fair-dinkum opposition." I mean, does he actually talk like this in regular conversation, or is it all just an act to show that he's a "regular Aussie"?

Considering this board is from around the world.. it'd be nice if you explained what fair dinkum meant.

Apparently it means "fair or true" in Australian slang.

I think there is an 'R' missing in 'Dinkum' LOL

Quote: Original post by Crazyfool
Apparently it means "fair or true" in Australian slang.

Yeah, sorry, that's pretty much what it means. As I said, though, nobody actually uses it in regular conversation. Even Wikipedia notes that those kinds of words are only really used "in jest or parody rather than as an authentic way of speaking". Unless you're a politician it seems.

Sounds like Abbott has Sarah Palin disease. You betcha!

They all do this, from time to time... They get told they need certain demographics to identify more with them so they insert this crap into their language.

IIRC there's a montage of Rudd doing it throughout 2007 made by the chaser crew.

Abbott for example is strongly associated with the Thatcherite faction of his party, so to get the "battlers" on side he's probably trying to play the "regular Aussie bloke" card. He can't do any worse at it than he predecessor ;)

At least it's not a plumber named Joe, or a street-wall/main.

A bit like Rudd and his "political sh*t storm" comments... trying to gain the trust of the younger generation.

I thought Australian slang was grossly exaggerated in media as well, until I met two girls from Queensland. I mean, fair dinkum mate! It was like I was speaking to the crocodile hunter himself!

Yeah, I'm in Brisbane and people say it in ordinary conversation.