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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

ducks on the pond en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

* (coded warning): Originally used in shearing sheds; later extended to other normally all-male environments, such as some pubs.

Meanings

  1. (Australia, plural, plural-only) A coded warning used by men to alert each other that female guests ("ducks") are present ("on the pond"), so that for politeness they should moderate their language.
    • Usually the wool presser calls first, because most visitors to a shed come through the wool room. ‘Ducks on the Pond!’ he calls, and the warning is taken up again down along the shearing board. 1982, Patsy Adam-Smith, The Shearers, Thomas Nelson Australia, →ISBN, page 245:
  2. (plural, plural-only) Members of a batting order who are on base; baserunners.
    • There are two ducks on the pond for the cleanup hitter.
  3. (plural, plural-only, qualifier:Car Sales) There are customers arriving on the car lot.
    • Ducks on the pond. Who is up?

Synonyms

feathers flying (coded warning) · ducks have landed (coded warning) · they're on the pond (coded warning)