Jack Cornstalk?

Subject: Jack Cornstalk?
From:
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 04:19 AM

I am reading Henry Lawson's poems and trying to sing some of the songs people have made from them. One reference I have come across in at least two poems is to "Jack (or John) Cornstalk".

Is this a character from a song, poem, or literature. I don't remember it from my U.S. childhood, but perhaps it is British or Australian.

Thanks

Murray

Subject: RE: Jack Cornstalk?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 04:38 AM

G'day Murray,

The rest of us around here (not counting blow-ins like yourself) are "Cornstalks"! This is an old term for New South Welshmen and referred to the tendency of young Australians, growing up in a land of open spaces and plenty of good food, to grow much taller than their parents ... springing up like 'cornstalks'.

The residents of various Australian states have their nicknames:

New South Wales = Cornstalks

Victoria = Cabbagepatchers (NSW libel about their small state)

South Australia = Croweaters (probably inspired by the state's avian emblem - a (black) piping shrike

Western Australia = Sandgropers (due to the prevalence of desert in their state)

Tasmania = Vandemonians (from old name Van Diemen's Land) or Taswegians (later name)

Queensland = Bananabenders (due to the tropical fruit of the northern regions).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Jack Cornstalk?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 04:42 AM

G'day again Murray,

Oh yes ... I should probably add that 'Jack' or 'John' is widely used in English to indicate a typical person of a group, trade or nationality (eg: Jack Tar or John Bull ... or Jean Crapeau!).

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Jack Cornstalk?
From:
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 11:06 PM

Or Johnny Turk.

Thanks for the info, Bob. I wasn't aware of those nicknames so I got more than I bargained for.

Murray