The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #63857   Message #1054916
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
16-Nov-03 - 04:26 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Etymology - Oz & Aussie
Subject: RE: Folklore: Etymology - Oz & Aussie
Hoon also has entered the OED, defined as "a lout, a rough, a crazy person, a clot, a ponce." The word seems to be adding meanings.
1938- Herbert, in Capricornia: 'You flash hoon,' he went on. 'Kiddin' you're white, eh?'
1953- Baker, Australia Speaks, "Women whose activities are not organized by hoons ... are called 'battlers'."
1965- Brisbane Telegraph: "hoon, a crackpot.
1969- Brisbane Courier-Mail: (About traffic enforcement-radar, etc.) Giving locations "advertises the locations where they are not being used, thus giving the hot-rod hoons an open go."

Somewhere I read of conkers being called ockers. Don't remember the source.