Bonzer

Bonzer

Bonzer (also spelled as Bonza) is an Australian slang term. It is an expression of approval or one used as a generally positive reaction.

The term first appeared in print in 1904 in "The Bulletin" magazine where the meaning and origins of the word were discussed over several issues.] Various derivations have been suggested including:
*from "born star"
*a corruption of the French words "bon" and "toujours" --'always good'
*derived from the Spanish 'bonanzo' or 'bonanza'. The gold rushes being responsible for a number of Spanish words coming to Australia from California and Mexico

As the term was used interchangeably in the early twentieth century with the words "boshter" and "bosker", the derivation from the Spanish 'bonanza' seems less likely.

In New Zealand the term appeared about the same time as in Australia but was spelt as "bonser" or "bonsor" until 1937.

Surfboard

A bonzer is also a variety of surfboard created by the Campbell Brothers. It is a shortboard with three or five fins with double concave channels. The channels create a venturi effect which guides the water off of the surface of the board through a narrowed passage, increasing its acceleration and speed. [ [http://honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%201999/6-16-99%20Boards/6-16-99%20Boards.html Honolulu Weekly Cover story: Bonzer surfboards] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-bon1.htm Bonzer: An interpretation @ worldwidewords.org]
* [http://honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%201999/6-16-99%20Boards/6-16-99%20Boards.html Honolulu Weekly Cover story: Bonzer surfboards]
* [http://www.bonzer5.com Campbell Brothers Bonzer]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • bonzer — onzer adj. remarkable or wonderful. [Australian] [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bonzer — ► ADJECTIVE Austral./NZ informal ▪ excellent. ORIGIN perhaps an alteration of BONANZA(Cf. ↑bonanza) …   English terms dictionary

  • Bonzer — Le Bonzer est un type de planche de surf développé dans les années 70 par Duncan et Malcolm Campbell. Sommaire 1 Le principe 2 Le saviez vous ? 3 A lire et à voir 4 Liens externes …   Wikipédia en Français

  • bonzer — /ˈbɒnzə / (say bonzuh) Colloquial (dated) –adjective 1. excellent; attractive; pleasing: *I ve got a bonzer little joint not ten minutes from the station. –john morrison, 1947. –noun 2. someone or something with these qualities: the meal was a… …  

  • bonzer — Outstandingly good. Also used as a noun meaning something outstandingly good of its kind . Bonzer is possibly an alteration of the American bonanza, or from French bon good . In the early records the spelling bonzer alternates with bonser, and it …   Australian idioms

  • bonzer — good, fine, super, awesome    Did you enjoy your holiday? It was bonzer, mate! We had a great time! …   English idioms

  • bonzer — /bon zeuhr/, adj. Australian. remarkable; wonderful. [1900 05; orig. uncert.] * * * …   Universalium

  • bonzer — adjective remarkable; wonderful. Syn: bottler, ripper …   Wiktionary

  • Bonzer — 1. great, ripper; 2. Excellent!(origin unknown; cf. the equivalent obsolete terms bontosher , bonster , boshter , bosker ) …   Dictionary of Australian slang

  • bonzer — Australian Slang 1. great, ripper; 2. Excellent!(origin unknown; cf. the equivalent obsolete terms bontosher , bonster , boshter , bosker ) …   English dialects glossary

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