Dictionary

devil devil en · NOUN

Etymology

Reduplicated form of devil; originally in Australian Pidgin English.

Meanings

1. (Australia) An evil spirit in traditional Aboriginal belief.
   • But his lubra was there: she said he had gone away on some devil-devil business. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 74:
   • She said they had to hide from the bad people because they might be devil-devils in disguise. 2006, Alexis Wright, Carpentaria, Giramondo, published 2012, page 282:

Forms