C.J. Dennis, Rose of Spadgers - Part 10

172

ROSE OF SPADGERS

That troubled, mother look I've seen so plain

The times she's said, "Poor Bill! 'Ow is the pain?"

I seeks the orchard, with a sickly grin,

To sort meself out straight an' git a grip.

Them 'ints the parson drops give me the pip.

I don't quite see where daffydils comes in;

But, "lucky in me wife!' Why, spare me days,

Yeh'd think I beat 'er, by the things 'e says!

I tries to kid meself: to back me skite,

An' 'old that wad uv self-content I 'ad.

It ain't no use. I know the parson's right:

Clean through the piece I 'ave been actin' bad.

I've been so full uv Me, I've treated 'er

Like she was - well, a bit uv furnicher.

Yet, "furnicher" don't seem to put it good.

Nothin' so wooden don't describe Doreen.

All through the game, some'ow, she's alwiz been-

Well, somewhere 'andy, 'elpin' where she could,

An' manidgin', an' .... Bli'me! Now I see!

Wot she did manidge was the block'ead - me!...

NARCISSUS

173

Well, I'm the goat. I s'pose I should 'ave seen

I was n't 'ead an' tail uv all the show.

A bit uv putty in 'er 'ands I been!

An' so bull-'eaded that I did n't know.

Only fer 'er things might 'ave - Spare me days!

I never will git used to women's ways.

Only fer 'er Rose might .... But wot's the use?

Shakespeare 'as said it right: the world's a stage;

An' all us 'uman ducks an' dames ingage

In actin' parts. Mostly the men cuts loose,

An' fights, an' throws their weight about a lot.

But, listen. It's the women weave the plot.

The women .... Well, it's been a bonnie day.

Blue-bonnets, dodgin' in an' out the ferns,

Looks like blue chips uv sky come down to play.

An' down the valley, where the creek track turns,

I see Rose, arm-in-arm with Wally Free.

The 'ole world's makin' love, ixceptin' me.

Huh! Women! ... Yes; a man's a mug, all right ....

I sees the sof' clouds sailin' in the sky,

An' bits uv thistledown go driftin' by.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

"Jist like men's lives," I think. An' then I sight,

Fair in me cabbages, ole Wally's cow.

That fence - But them plants ain't worth savin',

now.

Women .... I wonder 'oo Narcissy was ....

Green trees agin blue 'ills don't look 'arf bad ...

I s'pose 'e got the cissy part becoz

'Is ways was womanish. Well, serve 'im glad ....

That cow uv Wally's ort to milk a treat

With plenty good young cabbage plants to eat.

Women is often 'elpful - in a sense ....

Lord, it's a lazy day! Before it fails,

I better git a 'ammer an' some nails

An' dodge acrost an' mend that bit uv fence.

It's up to me to try an' put things right,

An' - well, I'll 'elp Doreen wash up to-night.

THE END.

THE GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

A.I.F.- Australian Imperial Force.

Alley, to toss in the.- To give up the ghost.

Also ran, The.- On the turf, horses that fail to secure a

leading place; hence, obscure persons, nonentities.

'Ammer-lock (Hammer-lock).- A favourite and effective

hold in wrestling.

Ar.- An exclamation expressing joy, sorrow, surprise,

etc., according to the manner of utterance.

'Ard Case (Hard Case).- A shrewd or humorous person.

Aussie.- Australia; an Australian.

'Ayseed (Hayseed).- A rustic.

Back Chat.- Impudent repartee.

Back and Fill.- To vacillate; to shuffle.

Back the Barrer,.- To intervene without invitation.

Bag of Tricks.- All one's belongings.

Barmy (Balmy).- Foolish; silly.

Barrack.- To take sides.

Beak.- A magistrate. (Possibly from Anglo-Saxon,

Beag - a magistrate).

Beano.- A feast.

Beans.- Coins; money.

Beat.- Puzzled; defeated.

Beat, off the.- Out of the usual routine.

Beat the band.- To amaze.

Beef (to beef it out).- To declaim vociferously.

Bellers (Bellows).- The lungs.

Biff.- To smite.

Bint.- Girl.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

Bird, to give the.- To treat with derision.

Blighter.- A worthless fellow.

Blighty.- London.

Bli'me.- An oath with the fangs drawn.

Blind.- Deception, "bluff."

Blither.- To talk at random, foolishly.

Blob.- A shapeless mass.

Block.- The head. To lose or do in the block.- To

become flustered; excited; angry; to lose; confidence.

To keep the block.- To remain calm; dispassionate.

Block, the.- A fashionable city walk.

Bloke.- A make adult of the genus homo.

Blubber, blub.- To weep.

Bluff.- Cunning practice; make believe. v. To deceive;

to mislead.

Bob.- A shilling.

Bokays.- Compliments, flattery.

Boko.- The nose.

Bong-tong.- Patrician (Fr. bon ton).

Bonzer, boshter, bosker.- Adjectives expressing the

superlative of excellence.

Boodle.- Money; wealth.

Book.- A bookie, q.v.

Booked.- Engaged.

Bookie.- A book-maker (turf); one who makes a betting

book on sporting events.

Boot, to put in the.- To kick a prostrate foe.

Boss.- Master, employer.

Break (to break away, to do a break).- To depart in

haste.

Breast up to.- To accost.

Brisket.- The chest.

Brown.- A copper coin.

THE GLOSSARY

179

Brums.- Tawdry finery (from Brummagem-Birmingham).

Buckley's (Chance).- A forlorn hope.

Buck-up.- Cheer up.

Bump.- To meet; to accost aggressively.

Bun, to take the.- To take the prize (used ironically).

Bundle, to drop the.- To surrender; to give up hope.

Bunk.- To sleep in a "bunk" or rough bed. To do a

bunk.- To depart.

Bunnies, to hawk the.- To peddle rabbits.

Bus, to miss the.- To neglect opportunities.

Caboose.- A small dwelling.

Carlton.- A Melbourne Football Team.

Cat, to whip the.- To cry over spilt milk; i.e., to whip

the cat that has spilt the milk.

C.B.- Confined to barracks.

Cert.- A certainty; a foregone conclusion.

Champeen.- Champion.

Chap.- A "bloke" or "cove."

Chase yourself.- Depart; avaunt; "fade away,' q.v.

Chat.- To address tentatively; to "word," q.v.

Cheque, to pass in one's.- To depart this life.

Chest, to get it off one's.- To deliver a speech; express

one's feelings.

Chew, to chew it over; to chew the rag.- To sulk; to

nurse a grievance.

Chiack.- Vulgar banter; course invective.

Chin.- To talk; to wag the chin.

Chip.- To "chat," q.v. Chip in.- To intervene.

Chiv.- The face.

Chow.-  A native of far Cathay.

Chuck up.- To relinquish. Chuck off.- To chaff; to

employ sarcasm.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

Chump.- A foolish fellow.

Chunk.- A lump; a mass.

Clean.- Completely; utterly.

Click.- A clique; a "push."

Cliner.- A young unmarried female.

Clobber.- Rainment; vesture.

Cobber.- A boon companion.

Collect.- To receive one's deserts.

Colour-line.- In pugilism, the line drawn by white boxers

excluding coloured fighters - for divers reasons.

Conk.- The nose.

Coot.- A person of no account (used contemptuously).

Cop.- To seize; to secure; also., an avocation, a job."

Cop (or Copper).- A police constable.

Copper-top.- Red head.

Copper show.- A copper mine.

Count, to take the.- In pugilism, to remain prostrate for

ten counted seconds, and thus lose the fight.

Cove.- A "chap" or "bloke," q.v. (Gipsy).

Cow.- A thoroughly unworthy, not to say despicable,

person, place, thing, or circumstance. A fair cow.- 

An utterly obnoxious and otherwise unexpressible

person, place, thing, or circumstance.

Crack.- To smite. s. A blow.

Crack a boo.- To divulge a secret; to betray emotion.

Crack hardy.- To suppress emotion; to endure patiently;

to keep a secret.

Cray.- A crayfish.

Crib.- A dwelling.

Croak.- To die.

Crook.- A dishonest or evil person.

Crook.- Unwell; dishonest; spurious; fraudulent. Super -

Crool (cruel) the pitch.- To frustrate; to interfere with

one's schemes or welfare. 

THE GLOSSARY

181

Crust.- Sustenance; a livelihood.

Cut it out.- Omit it; discontinue it.

Dago.- A native of Southern Europe.

Dash, to do one's.- To reach one's Waterloo.

Date.- An appointment.

Dawg (dog).- A contemptible person; ostentation. To

put on dawg.- To behave in an arrogant manner.

Dead.- In a superlative degree; very.

Deal.- To deal it out; to administer punishment, abuse,

etc.

Deener.- A shilling (Fr. Denier. Denarius, a Roman

silver coin).

Derry.- An aversion; a feud; a dislike.

Dickin.- A term signifying disgust or disbelief.

Digger.- An infantryman; a comrade.

Dile (dial).- The face.

Dilly.- Foolish; half-witted.

Ding Dong.- Strenuous.

Dinkum.- Honest; true. "The Dinkum Oil."- The truth.

Dipped.- Mentally deficient.

Dirt.- Opprobrium, a mean speech or action.

Dirty left.- A formidable left fist.

Divvies.- Dividends; profits.

Dizzy limit.- The utmost; the superlative degree.

Do in.- To defeat; to kill; to spend.

Done me luck.- Lost my good fortune.

Dope.- A drug; adulterated liquor. v. To administer

drugs.

Dot in the eye, to.- To strike in the eye.

Douse.- To extinguish (Anglo-Saxon).

Drive a quill.- To write with a pen; to work in an office.

Duck, to do a.- (See "break.")

Duds.- Personal apparel (Scotch).

Dud.- No good; ineffective; used up.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

Dunno.- Do not know.

Dutch.- German; any native of Central Europe.

'Eads (Heads).- The authorities; inner council.

'Eadin'.- "Heading browns"; tossing pennies.

'Ead over Turkey.- Heels over head.

'Ead Serang.- The chief; the leader.

'Eavyweight.- A boxer of the heaviest class

'Ell fer leather.- In extreme haste.

End up, to get.- To rise to one's feet.

Fade away, to.- To retire; to withdraw.

Fag.- A cigarette.

Fair.- Extreme; positive.

Fair thing.- A wise proceeding; an obvious duty.

Fake.- A swindle; a hoax.

Final, to run one's.- To die.

Final kick.- Final leave.

Finger.- An eccentric to amusing person.

Flam.- Nonsense; make-believe.

Flash.- Ostentatious; showy but counterfeit.

Float, to.- To give up the ghost.

Fluff, a bit of.- A young female person.

Fly.- A turn; a try.

Foot (me foot).- A term expressing ridicule.

Footer.- Football.

Frame.- The body.

Frill.- Affectation.

Funk, to.- To fear; to lose courage.

Furphy.- An idle rumour; a canard.

Galoot.- A simpleton.

Game.- Occupation; scheme; design.

Gawsave.- The National Anthem.

Gazob.- A fool; a blunderer. 

THE GLOSSARY

183

Geewhizz.- Exclamation expressing surprise.

Get, to do a.- To retreat hastily.

Gilt.- Money; wealth.

Give, to.- In one sense, to care.

Gizzard.- The heart.

Glarssy.- The glassy eye; a glance of cold disdain. The

Glassy Alley.- The favourite; the most admired.

Glim.- A light.

Going (while the going is good).- While the path is 

clear.

Gone (fair gone).- Overcome, as with emotion.

Goo-goo eyes.- Loving glances.

Gorspil-cove.- A minister of the Gospel.

Graft.- Work.

Grafter.- One who toils hard or willingly.

Grandstand play.- Playing to the gallery.

Griffin, the straight.- The truth; secret information.

Grip.- Occupation; employment.

Groggy.- Unsteady; dazed.

Grouch.- To mope; to grumble.

Grub.- Food.

Guff.- Nonsense.

Guy.- A foolish fellow.

Guy, to do a.- To retire.

Guyver.- Make-believe.

Handies.- A fondle of hands between lovers.

Hang out.- To reside; to last.

Hang-over.- The aftermath of the night before.

Hankies.- Handkerchiefs.

High-falutin'.- High sounding; boastful.

Hitch, to.- To wed.

Hitched.- Entangled in the bonds of holy matrimony.

Hit things up.- To behave strenuously; riotously.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

Hokey Fly, by the.- A mild expletive, without any

particular meaning.

Hot.- Excessive; extreme.

Hump, the.- A fit of depression.

Hump, to.- To carry as a swag or other burden.

Imshee.- Begone; retreat; to take yourself off.

Intro.- Introduction; knock-down, q.v.

It (to be It).- To assume a position of supreme importance.

Jab.- To strike smartly.

Jane.- A woman.

Jiff.- A very brief period.

Job. to.- To smite.

Joes.- Melancholy thoughts.

John.- A policeman.

Joint, to jump the.- To assume command; to occupy the

"joint," i.e., establishment, situation, place of business.

Jolt, to pass a.- To deliver a short, sharp blow.

Jor.- The jaw.

Jorb (Job).- Avocation; employment.

Josser.- A simple fellow.

Jug.- A prison.

Keepin'.- Peeping.

Keep one down.- Take a drink.

Keeps, for.- For ever; permanently.

Kersplosh.- Splash.

Kick.- Leave. Kick about.- To loaf or hang about.

Kid.- A child.

Kid, to.- To deceive; to persuade by flattery.

Kiddies.- Children.

THE GLOSSARY

185

Kid Stakes.- Pretence.

King Pin.- The leader; the person of chief importance.

Kip.- A small chip used for tossing pennies in the occult

game of two-up.

Kipsie.- A house; the home.

Knob.- The head; one in authority.

Knock-down.- A ceremony insisted upon by ladies who

decline to be "picked up"; a formal introduction.

Knock-out drops.-  Drugged or impure liquor.

Knock-out punch.- A knock-down blow.

Knut.- A fop; a well-dressed idler.

Lark.- A practical joke; a sportive jest.

Lash.- Violence.

Ledding.- Leaden.

Leery.- Vulgar; low.

Leeuwin.- Cape Leeuwin on the south-west coast of

Australia.

Lid.- The hat. To dip the lid.- To raise the hat.

Limit.- The end; the full length.

Line up.- To approach; to accost.

Lingo.- Language.

Lip.- Impertinence. To give it lip.- To talk vociferously.

Little Bourke.- Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia.

Little Lon.- Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia.

Lob, to.- To arrive.

'Loo.- Woolloomooloo, a part of Sydney.

Lumme.- Love me.

Lurk.- A plan of action; a regular occupation.

Mafeesh.- Finish; I am finished.

Mag.- To scold or talk noisily.

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ROSE OF SPADGERS

Mallee.- A species of Eucalypt; the country where the

Mallee grows.

Mash.- To woo; to pay court. s. A lover.

Maul.- To lay hands upon, either violently or with affection.

Meet, a.- An assignation.

Mill.- A bout of fisticuffs.

Mix.- To mix it; to fight strenuously.

Mizzle.- To disappear; to depart suddenly.

Mo.- An abbreviation of "moment."

Moll.- A woman of loose character.

Moniker.- A name; a title; a signature.

Mooch.- To saunter about aimlessly.

Moon.- To loiter.

Mud, my name is.- i.e., I an utterly discredited.

Mug.- A fool; also the mouth.

Mug, to.- To kiss.

Mullock, to poke.- To deride; to tease.

Mushy.- Sentimental.

Nail.- Catch.

Nark.- s., a spoil-sport a churlish fellow.

Nark, to.-  To annoy; to foil.

Narked.- Angered; foiled.

Natchril.- Natural.

Neck and neck.- Side by side.

Neck, to get it in the.- To receive severe punishment;

i.e., "Where the chicken got the axe."

Nerve.- Confidence; impudence.

Nick.- Physical condition; good health.

Nipper.- A small boy.

Nix.- Nothing.

Nod, on the.- Without payment.

Nose around, to.- To seek out inquisitively.

Nothing (ironically).- Literary "something considerable."

THE GLOSSARY

187

Odds, above the. - Beyond the average; outside the pale.

Oopizootics. - An undiagnosed complaint.
Orfis (office). -  A warning; a word of advice; a hint.
Oricle (oracle), to work the. To secure desired results

Orl (all in ). - Without limit or restriction.

'Ot socks. - Gaily-coloured hose.
Out, to. - To render unconscious with a blow.
Pack, to send to the.- To relegate to obscurity.

Pal. - A partner; a mate.

Pard. - A partner; a mate

Part. -Give; handover.
Pass (pass 'im one). - To deliver a blow.
Pat, on one's. - Alone; single-handed.

Peach. - A desirable young woman; "fresh as a peach."

Peb (pebble).-  A flash fellow; a "larrikin."
Phiz. - The face.

Pick at. - To chaff; to annot.

Pick-up, to -  To dispense with ceremony of a "knock-down"

or introduction.
Pilot cove. - A clergyman.
Pile it on. -  To rant; to exaggerate.
Pinch.- To steal; to place under arrest.

Pins.- Legs.

Pip.- A fit of depression.

Pitch a tale.- To trump up an excuse; to weave a

romance.

Plant.- To bury.

Plug.- To smite with the fist.

Plug along, to.- To proceed doggedly.

Plunk.- An exclamation expressing the impact of a blow.

Podgy.- Fat; plump.

188 

ROSE OF SPADGERS

Point.- The region of the jaw; much sought after by

pugilists.
Point, to.- To seize unfair advantage; to scheme.

Pole, up the.- Distraught through anger, fear, etc.; also,

disappeared, vanished.

Pot, a.- A considerable amount; as a "pot of money."
Pot, the old. - The male parent ( from "Rhyming Slang,"

the "old pot and pan" - the "old man."

Prad.- A horse.

Pug.- A pugilist.

Pull my ( or your) leg.- To deceive or get the best of.

Pull off.- Dentist.

Pull, to take a.- To desist; to discontinue.

Punch a cow.- To conduct a team of oxen.

Punter.- The natural prey of  a "bookie," q.v.

Push.- A company of rowdy fellows gathered together

for ungentle purposes.

Push up the daisies, to- To be interred.

Queer the pitch.- To frustrate; to fool.

Quid.- A sovereign, or pound sterling.

Quod.- Prison.

Rabbit, to run the.- To convey liquor from a public-house.

Rag.- Song in rag time.

Rag, to chew the.- To grieve; to brood.

Rag, to sky the.- To throw a towel into the air in token
of surrender (pugilism).

Rain, to keep out of the.- To avoid danger; to act with caution.

Rat.- A street urchin; a wharf loafer.

Rattled.- Excited; confused.

Recomember.- Rememeber.

189

THE GLOSSARY

Red'ot.- Extreme; out-and-out.

Registry.- The office of a Registrar.

Renege.- To fail to follow suit (in playing cards); to quit.

Ribuck.- Correct, genuine; an interjection signifying 

assent.

Rile.- To annoy. Riled.- Roused to anger.

Ring, the.- The arena of a prize-fight.

Ring, the dead.- A remarkable likeness.

Ringer.- Expert.

Rise, a.-  An accession of fortune; an improvement.

Rocks.- A locality in Sydney.

Rook, to.- To "take down."

Rorty. - Boisterous; rowdy.

Roust, or Rouse,- To upbraid with many words.

'Roy.- Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne; its football team.

Ructions.- Growling; argument.

Run against.- To meet more or less unexpectedly.

Run 'is final.- Died.

Saints.- A football team of St. Kilda,Victoria.

Sandy blight.- Ophthalmia.

Savvy.- Common-sense; shrewdness.

Sawing wood.- "Bluffing;" biding one's time.

School.- A club; a clique pf gamblers, or others.

Scoot.- To hurry; to scuttle.

Scran.- Food.

Scrap.- Fight.

Set, to.- To attack; to regard with disfavour.

Set, to have.- To have marked down for punishment or 

revenge.

Shick, shickered.- Intoxicated.

Shicker.- Intoxicating liquor.

Shinty.- A game resembling hockey.

190

ROSE OF SPADGERS

Shook.- Stolen; disturbed.

Shook on.- Infatuated.

Shyin' or Shine.- Excellent; desirable.

Sight.- To tolerate; to permit; also to see; observe.

Sir Garneo.- In perfect order; satisfactory.

Skirt or bit of skirt.- A female.

Skite.- To boast. Skiter.- A boaster.

Sky the wipe.- See "Rag."

Slab.- A portion; a tall, awkward fellow.

Slam.- Making all the tricks (in card-playing).

Slanter.- Spurious; unfair,

Slap-up.- Admirable; excellent.

Slats.- The ribs.

Slaver.- One engaged in the "white slave traffic."

Slick.- Smart; deft; quick.

Sling.- Discard; throw.

Slope, to.- To elope; to leave in haste.

Sloppy.- Lachrymose; maudlin.

Slushy.- A toiler in a scullery.

Smoodge.- To flatter or fawn; to bill and coo.

Smoodger.- A sycophant; a courtier.

Snag.- A hindrance; a formidable opponent.

Snake-'eaded.- Annoyed, vindictive.

Snake juice.- Strong drink.

Snare.- To acquire; to seize; to win.

Snarkey.- Angry.

Snide.- Inferior; of no account.

Snob.- A bootmaker.

Snout.- To bear a grudge.

Snouted.- Treated with disfavour.

Snuff, or snuff it.- To expire.

Sock it into.- To administer physical punishment.

Solid.- Severe; severely.

191

THE GLOSSARY

So-long.- A form of farewell.

Sool.- To attack; to urge on.

S.O.S.- Signal of distress or warning, used in telegraphy.

Soot, leadin'.- A chief attribute.

Sore, to get.- To become aggrieved.

Sore-head.- A curmudgeon.

Sour, to turn, or get.- To become pessimistic or discontented.

Spank.- To chastise maternal-wise.

Spar.- A gentle bout of fisticuffs.

Spare me days.- A pious ejaculation.

Spec.- Spectacles.

Spell.- Rest or change.

Splash.- To expend.

Splice.- To join in holy matrimony.

Spout.- To preach or speak at length.

Sprag.- To accost truculently.

Spruik.- To deliver a speech, as a showman.

Spuds.- Potatoes.

Square.- Upright, honest.

Square an' all.- Of a truth; verily.
Squeak.- To give away a secret.

Squiz.- A brief glance.

Stand-orf.- Retiring; reticent.

Stajum.- Stadium, where prize fights are conducted.

Stiffened.- Bought over.

Stiff-un.- A corpse.

Stoke.- To nourish; to eat.

Stop a pot. - To quaff ale.

Stop one.- To receive a blow.

Stoush.- To punch with the fist. s. Violence.

Straight, on the.- In fair and honest fashion.

Strangle-hold.- An ungentle embrace in wrestling.

Strength of it.- The truth of it; the value of it.

Stretch, to do a.- To serve a term of imprisonment.