- Brass razoo
"Brass razoo" is an Australian term that arose as [military s _so. url= http://members.ozemail.com.au/~jpascal/comp3.htm |title= Value and price |author= J. Pascal |work=
OzEmail |accessdate=2008-03-02 ] The term itself is not a neologism, but has been part of colloquial vocabulary for almost a century, and has its own reference in theOxford English Dictionary as "a non-existent coin of trivial value".cite web |url= http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/txt/s1437726.htm |title= Wordwatch: Brass razoo |author= Kel Richards |work=ABC News (Australia) |accessdate=2008-03-02 ]Etymologists have disputed and considered theories of the origins of the phrase, but in the end most agree with the statement, "origin unknown". Numerous
lexicographers have concluded the same.cite web |url= http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/pubs/ozwords/April_2000/Brassrazoo.html |title= Brass Razoo: Is it but a breath of wind? |author= Frederick Ludowyk |work= Australian National Dictionary Centre ( [http://www.anu.edu.au/ANDC/ ANDC] ) |publisher=Australian National University |date= April 2000 |accessdate=2008-03-02 ]Origin
"Brass razoo" is believed to have origins with the phrase "not a sou", a phrase meaning "no money" or "lack of wealth". "Brass" has also been used as a slang term for money, so the connection between the similar-sounding phrases is understandable.
Eric Partridge , in his "Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English", suggests that "razoo" is based on the Māori word, "rahu". In his 1997 book, "Dictionary of New Zealand English",Harry Orsman makes a similar conjecture, though he seems more confident in his belief.As "
The Washington Post " reported in December 2007, aWashington, D.C. firm established to facilitate social networking forphilanthropy has taken its name from theNew Zealand meaning of "razoo" for a small coin.cite web |url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/16/AR2007121601527.html |title= District Firm Razoo Joins Other Web Site Builders Trying to Reinvent How People Give Money to Charity |author= Zachary A. Goldfarb |work=The Washington Post |date=December 17 2007 , Page D01 |accessdate=2008-03-02 ]Another possible origin for the phrase would be during World War I, when the phrase was said to be used by Australian soldiers serving in France, and considered a joking reference used between Australian infantry and American troops. It was based on the Yankee "raspberry" also called a "razoo", a blurt or mouth-sound made to sound like a fart.
References
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