The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #55739   Message #870082
Posted By: GUEST,Q
19-Jan-03 - 05:16 PM
Thread Name: waltzing matilda
Subject: RE: waltzing matilda
The OED doesn't mention billy-pot or its possible Scottish dialect origin. It says "Origin uncertain, from Australian aboriginal billa, river, water [cf. billabong]". This from the 1987 supplement; I don't have the latest.