C.Smith's ANZAC Report

Dinkum Oil!?

" Hello chum! I've just heard some bonza news."

" What! Another furfie?"

" No dinkum oil this time. The boys have imshied the Turks on the right, and got 50 prisoners, who say they have had mafeesh tucker for two days."

Back in World War 1 (Great War) many countries that were part of the British Empire fought together as a team. These countries include New Zealand, Australia and India. This means that lots of cultures were often found fighting together in one place.

In 1915 the ANZAC's were in Gallipoli fighting the Turks. A returned transport officer that fought at Gallipoli came home to Invercargill and an article was written about the slang that he learnt over there and was unique to the ANZAC's and their travels.

This is lost history and it is interesting to discover these words that they used as part of everyday language. The opening dialog can be translated into proper English. As so below...

" Hello mate! I've just heard some ripping news."

" What! Another rumour?"

" No authenticated news this time. The boys have cleared out the Turks on the right, and have got 50 prisoners, who say they have had no food for 2 days."   

Some of the slang words came from Egypt and include imshie and mafeesh, others like chum are English. Australian slang like bonza and dinkum are still used today.
Other slang words that were commonly used by the ANZAC's in Gallipoli include Indian slang including chipperow for for “shut up” and terms like “put some jildi into it” which means  “hurry up” and “let’s have a dekko” which means “let me have a look”. 

Because all the First World War soldiers are now dead it is really interesting to read an old article about the language they used amongst themselves.  The words came together during a unique time and will never be used again.

By Charlotte Smith