General
fair dinkum
What does fair dinkum mean?
Real, genuine or truthful; can also ask 'is that true?'
"Are you fair dinkum? You really won the lottery?"
Origin
19th-century British dialect 'dinkum' (fair work/fair play), later distinctively Australian.
Frequently asked questions
What does fair dinkum mean?
Fair dinkum means genuine, true or honest. Asking 'are you fair dinkum?' means 'are you serious?' or 'is that true?'
Where does fair dinkum come from?
It derives from 19th-century British dialect where 'dinkum' meant fair work or fair play, and it became distinctively Australian.
What's the difference between dinkum and dinky-di?
'Dinkum' means genuine or true, while 'dinky-di' means genuinely Australian or the real thing through and through.
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