As I understand it, the use of the name "Oz" for Australia was popularised by Richard Neville's controversial 1970's newspaper/magazine of the same name.

I don't know when the song "Is he an Ozzie/Ossie/Aussie (sp?) is he, Lizzy?" came out. I have a feeling it was about the time of World War I or maybe WWII. It is proving very hard to search for on Google because of the spelling possibilities and also because the other words are so common: "is" "he" "an" and then there is the spelling of "Lizzy" or "Lizzie". It has a very catchy tune, by the way.

Okay, here are some search results:

1939 in music

1939 in music

Published popular songs

# "Is 'E An Aussie, Lizzie, Is 'E?"    w.m. B. C. Hilliam & Malcolm McEachern

IS 'E AN AUSSIE, LIZZIE, IS 'E?

by
Flotsam and Jetsam



Learn how Lizzie met an Aussie
Told her girlfriend, Maryann
"Maryann, I've met a man...
Who says he is Australian."
"Fallen for 'im 'ave you Lizzie?"
Lizzie blushing, shook her head.
Said Maryann, "Don't think you can
Fool me." and then she said...

"Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, is 'e?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?
Is it because 'e is an Aussie...
That 'e keeps you busy, Lizzie?
Has 'e jazzy ways and does 'e
Make you go all fuzzy wuzzy?
Got you dizzy, 'as 'e Lizzie?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?"

"Seems this digger likes my figure."
Lizzie then told Maryann
"Likes my ways and claims to think 'em
What these Aussies call 'Fair Dinkum'
Throws a fond eye talks of Bondai
And he's tried to kiss me twice
When I've said, 'No!' he's said 'Good oh!'"
Said Maryann, "How nice!"


"Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, is 'e?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?
Is it because 'e is an Aussie...
That 'e keeps you busy, Lizzie?
Has 'e jazzy ways and does 'e
Make you go all fuzzy wuzzy?
Got you dizzy, 'as 'e Lizzie?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?"

Soon this wonder from down under
Got himself right down to biz.,
Lost no time in coaxing Liz
To promise that she would be his.
He being well worn, lived in Melbourne
So they sailed at once for there
And Maryann without a man
Repeats this maidens prayer...

"Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, is 'e?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?
Is it because 'e is an Aussie...
That 'e keeps you busy, Lizzie?
Has 'e jazzy ways and does 'e
Make you go all fuzzy wuzzy?
Got you dizzy, 'as 'e Lizzie?
Is 'e an Aussie, Lizzie, aye?


Just an aside about the word "Ocker". A clever variation I have heard is to refer to a female equivalent of an Ocker as an Ockerina.

Helen