PhrasesHub

Fair dinkum

    Definitions

      • honesty and authenticity
        To express that something is genuine, true, or sincere

      • surprise or disbelief
        To express shock or disbelief at something unexpected or hard to believe

      • genuine or real
        To describe someone or something as being authentic or legitimate

    Examples of Fair dinkum

    • The drinks and snacks they served during the barbecue were fair dinkum and very delicious.

      This idiom is used to describe something as genuine or authentic, and in this example, it is used to say that the food served was truly delicious and not fake or artificial.

    • The kangaroo that my friend spotted in the wild was fair dinkum, and it really hopped away.

      This idiom is used to say that something is true or real, and in this example, it is used to say that the kangaroo my friend saw was indeed a real kangaroo and not a fake one.

    • The Australian accent I heard was fair dinkum, and it really sounded authentic.

      This idiom is used to say that something is genuine or true, and in this example, it is used to say that the Australian accent my friend heard was truly authentic and not fake or exaggerated.

    • The stories my grandfather used to tell me about Australia were fair dinkum, and they were truly fascinating.

      This idiom is used to say that something is true or genuine, and in this example, it is used to say that the stories my grandfather used to tell me were truly authentic and not fictional or exaggerated.

    • The tour guide reassured the group that the town they were visiting was fair dinkum Australian, with its iconic pubs, beaches, and barbies.

      "Fair dinkum" is an Australian slang that means authentic or genuine. In this example, the tour guide used it to describe the Australian-ness of the town they were visiting, implying that it was not a fake or touristy place, but a real representation of Australian culture.

    • Sam's explanation sounded fair dinkum, but I still needed concrete evidence to believe him.

      In this example, "fair dinkum" is used to describe the credibility of Sam's explanation. The speaker is unsure whether to believe Sam and uses the slang to express doubt about the genuineness of his claims.

    • The story the little girl told us about her encounter with a kangaroo was fair dinkum, and we could tell she wasn't lying.

      Here, "fair dinkum" is used to describe the truthfulness of the little girl's story. The speaker's confidence that the little girl wasn't lying adds to the credibility of the story and highlights the use of "fair dinkum" as a synonym for genuine or truthful.

    • The cafe advertised itself as fair dinkum Australian, but the menu had more pizzas than meat pies.

      This is an example of using "fair dinkum" to describe a brand or business that claims to be Australian. However, the speaker found a contradiction and used the slang to imply that the cafe's claims were not genuine. In this case, "fair dinkum" is used to describe the authenticity of the brand, rather than a particular product or service.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "fair dinkum" is commonly used in Australian English and has multiple meanings. It can be used to convey honesty and authenticity, as well as surprise or disbelief. It is also used to describe something or someone as being genuine or real. Overall, the idiom carries a positive connotation and is often used in a lighthearted manner.

    Origin of "Fair dinkum"

    The origin of the idiom "fair dinkum" is believed to come from the Australian gold rush in the 1850s. The term "dinkum" was used to describe something that was authentic or genuine. It is believed that "fair dinkum" was a way for miners to express their honesty and integrity when trading gold. Over time, the term evolved to also convey surprise or disbelief, and eventually became a widely used idiom in Australian English.

    An alternate theory for the origin of the idiom is that it comes from the Chinese phrase "ding kam," meaning "top gold." This phrase was used by Chinese miners during the gold rush and may have been adopted by Australian miners as "dinkum."

    Today, "fair dinkum" is a well-known and commonly used idiom in Australian English and has even been adopted into the Australian National Anthem. It is often used to convey a sense of authenticity and honesty, and is a key part of Australian slang.