General
cobber
What does cobber mean?
A good friend; now somewhat old-fashioned.
"G'day cobber, long time no see."
Origin
Possibly from British dialect 'cob' (to take a liking to) or Yiddish 'chaber' (comrade).
Frequently asked questions
What does 'cobber' mean?
A cobber is a close friend or mate. The word is now considered fairly old-fashioned.
Where does 'cobber' come from?
Its origin is uncertain, possibly from the British dialect 'cob' meaning to take a liking to someone, or the Yiddish 'chaber' meaning comrade.
Do Australians still say 'cobber'?
Rarely in everyday speech. It sounds dated now and is more associated with older generations or nostalgic Aussie caricatures.
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