Dictionary

dinky-di en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /dɪŋkiˈdaɪ/ (US)
• /dɪŋkiˈdʌɪ/ (UK)
• /ˈdɪŋkiˈdɑi/ (Australia)
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Fanciful diminutive form of dinkum.

Meanings

1. (Australia, not-comparable, slang) Genuine, true.
   • ‘I was nearly a doctor,’ she said. ‘Fair dinkum?’ ‘Dinky-di.’ 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 282:
   • ‘Is that dinky-die?’ he asked. ‘You came on to Australia because of me?’ 1950, Nevil Shute, A Town Like Alice, published 2010, unnumbered page:
   • Since Miss McKendry is a dinky-die Aussie with an accent thick as a kangaroo′s tail, she was hexed from the start. 1962, Show: The Magazine of the Arts, volume 2, page 74:
   • For real value for money there are a couple of dinky-die Australian eating places you should certainly try, though. 1986, Tony Wheeler, Australia, A Travel Survival Kit, volume 4, page 43:
2. (Australia, broadly, not-comparable, slang) Authentically Australian.
   • “Wonderful! By the time we′re old I'll be able to speak like an Australian.” “No way. You′ll never be dinky die. Your English is much too cultured. Just like you.” 2009, Harry Blackley, Korean Rose, page 99:
   • ‘Come and meet Sandor and Eva, and here is their son Miklos, all right, Michael he insists on being now, he is dinky-die as they say, a proper Australian, he even forgets how to speak Hungarian, he has just left school like you—[…].’ 2009, Madeleine St. John, The Women in Black, page 155:
3. (Australia, not-comparable, slang) Honest, on the level.
   • And if you want my dinky-die advice, you′ll let me take you to the cops. 1959, Helen Marjorie Fowler, Hold a Bright Mirror, page 98:
4. (Australia, not-comparable, slang) True blue, steadfastly loyal.
   • These men to whom I am referring are “dinky-die” diggers and patriots. 1939, Australian Parliament, Parliamentary Debates, volume 162, page 1254:

Forms

Synonyms

dinkum