cobber

cobber
   A common Australian term of friendship, the equivalent of British ‘mate’, American ‘buddy’. Partridge, in his Dictionary of Historical Slang, says that the term was in use at race-tracks by 1900. He derives it from Yiddish chaber, ‘comrade’, but other lexicographers are not convinced. Most dictionaries fall back on ‘origin unknown’. In War Brides, by Lois Battle, an Australian woman who circulates a newsletter to other Australian women living in the USA begins one edition with: ‘Greetings Kangaroo Cobbers.’

A dictionary of epithets and terms of address . . 2015.

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  • cobber — ► NOUN Austral./NZ informal ▪ a companion or friend. ORIGIN perhaps related to English dialect cob «take a liking to» …   English terms dictionary

  • cobber — [käb′ər] n. [prob. < Heb (via Yiddish) chaver, comrade] [Austral. Slang] a close companion; comrade …   English World dictionary

  • cobber — A friend, a companion. Also used as a form of address (g day cobber!). The word probably comes from British dialect cob to take a liking to , although a Yiddish word khaber comrade has also been suggested as a source. Cobber, now somewhat dated,… …   Australian idioms

  • cobber — UK [ˈkɒbə(r)] / US [ˈkɑbər] noun [countable] Word forms cobber : singular cobber plural cobbers Australian informal used for talking in a friendly way to someone, especially a man …   English dictionary

  • cobber — noun /ˈkɒb.ə(r)/ A pal, buddy, mate, friend. Whats up. cobber? …   Wiktionary

  • cobber — /ˈkɒbə / (say kobuh) Colloquial –noun 1. a mate; friend. –phrase 2. cobber up with, to make friends with. {origin uncertain, probably related to the Suffolk dialect cob to form a friendship with, but compare Yiddish chaber comrade} …  

  • Cobber Kain — Infobox Military Person name=Edgar James Cobber Kain caption= Cobber Kain rank=Flying Officer branch=air force|United Kingdom commands= unit=No. 53 Squadron battles= family= nickname= Cobber allegiance=British Commonwealth lived=Born on 27 June… …   Wikipedia

  • cobber — noun Etymology: perhaps from British dialect (Suffolk) cob to take a liking to someone Date: 1893 Australian & New Zealand buddy …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cobber — /kob euhr/, n. Australian. a close fellow male friend; chum; pal. [1890 95; of uncert. orig.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Cobber — a male friend, a mate, pal (origin uncertain, probably related to British dialect cob to form a friendship with) …   Dictionary of Australian slang

  • cobber — I Australian Slang a male friend, a mate, pal (origin uncertain, probably related to British dialect cob to form a friendship with) II Australian English Mate (archaic) …   English dialects glossary

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