General
jumbuck
What does jumbuck mean?
A sheep; famously in the song 'Waltzing Matilda'.
"Once a jolly swagman caught a jumbuck by the billabong."
Origin
Australian pidgin, possibly from an Aboriginal rendering of 'jump up' or a native word.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'jumbuck'?
A jumbuck is an old Australian word for a sheep, best known from the folk song 'Waltzing Matilda'.
Where does the word 'jumbuck' come from?
It comes from early Australian pidgin, possibly an Aboriginal rendering of 'jump up' or a native word; its exact origin is uncertain.
Why is 'jumbuck' in Waltzing Matilda?
In the song, a swagman catches a jumbuck (sheep) by a billabong, and the word helped fix the term in Australian cultural memory.
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