- An iconic Australian slang expression meaning true, genuine, authentic, real, or honest.
- It can function as an adjective (a fair dinkum hero), an adverb (I'm fair dinkum tired), or an interjection to assert truthfulness (Fair dinkum, it happened!) or seek confirmation (Fair dinkum? Are you serious?).
Explanation
Origin
- The origin is uncertain and debated.
- Dinkum might derive from a word in the Lincolnshire dialect of England meaning work or one's due share of work. Fair dinkum might have initially meant a fair share of work or a fair go.
- Another theory links dinkum to a Cantonese phrase.
- The combined phrase fair dinkum gained prominence in Australia around the late 19th or early 20th century, possibly popularized by soldiers during World War I, solidifying its meaning related to genuineness and truth.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
General Informal (similar meaning):
- Seriously? / Seriously.
- Really? / Really.
- For real? / For real.
- No joke? / No joke.
- Legit (slang adjective or adverb)
- Honestly / Truly
- Genuine / Authentic (as adjectives)
British Informal equivalent:
- Honest! (as assertion)
- Straight up! (also US)
- Are you having me on? (questioning truthfulness)
American Informal equivalent:
- No way! (expressing surprise/disbelief)
- Get out! (expressing surprise/disbelief)
- Word? (AAVE slang, questioning truthfulness)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal Australian slang.
- Quintessentially Australian, used in casual conversation. Using it outside Australia, or by non-Australians without a genuine connection, can sound stereotypical or forced.
- Avoid in formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Completely opaque to most non-Australians. Likely to be met with confusion.
- Its flexible grammatical function (adj, adv, interjection) can also be confusing even if the general meaning is grasped.
Examples
- (Adjective) He's a fair dinkum Aussie legend.
- (Interjection Assertion) Fair dinkum, mate, I saw a platypus in the wild!
- (Interjection Question) You won the lottery? Fair dinkum?!
- (Adverb) Are you telling me fair dinkum?
Dialogue
Bruce: Sheila told me she's moving to Tassie to become a cheese maker.
Davo: Fair dinkum? Sheila? The one who burns toast?
Bruce: Fair dinkum! Reckons she's found her calling.
Davo: Strewth! Good on her, I suppose.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Just saw a koala crossing the road like it owned the place. Fair dinkum! 🐨 #OnlyInAustralia #Wildlife
- Facebook comment: He claims he swam with sharks without a cage. Fair dinkum or tall tale? 🤔 #Australia #Adventure
Response Patterns
- To the question Fair dinkum?: Affirmation (Yeah, fair dinkum!, Oath!, Too right!) or negation (Nah, just pulling your leg.).
- To the assertion: Belief (Wow, really?), skepticism (Yeah, right., Get outta here!), or simple acknowledgment (Fair enough.).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Seeking more details about the surprising or asserted fact.
- Expressing belief, disbelief, or amusement.
- Continuing the conversation based on the confirmed or disputed information.
Conversation Starter
- Can sometimes be used to start, especially expressing surprise to initiate discussion: Fair dinkum, did y'all see the size of that hailstone?
Intonation
- As an assertion: Often said with conviction, falling intonation. FAIR DINKUM, it's true.
- As a question: Expresses surprise or skepticism, rising intonation. Fair DINKUM?
- Stress usually falls strongly on DINKUM.
Generation Differences
- Strongly associated with older generations of Australians and a more traditional ocker (stereotypical working-class Australian male) image.
- While widely understood by younger Australians, it's used less frequently in their everyday speech, sometimes employed humorously or nostalgically.
Regional Variations
- Exclusively Australian English slang. Recognizable in New Zealand due to proximity and cultural exchange, but not typically used there.