cyphercat wrote:(note to self: start saying "fair dinkum"-- very cool!)
G'donya, cc!
Just remember, it is tantamount to making an oath when you say these words. If you describe something as being absolutely true it is fair dinkum (much the same as 'the real McCoy') and it has various shades of meaning according to the tone of voice used when saying it; e.g, 'fair dinkum, that is the worst joke I've ever heard.' would indicated that it IS the worst. To call someone 'fair dinkum' means they are honest, loyal and dependable.
When uttered softly in an almost awesome tone with an interrogatory inflexion the meaning is 'are you sure?' or 'can it be for real?' (An example of this would be if some incredibly handsome, rich hunk knocked on your door and begged you to drop everything and run off with him.)
When said in an exasperated manner, of course, it takes on the opposite meaning 'You must be joking!' or 'This is totally unbelievable' (A good example of this would be when you order a drink on a plane and, on asking for pretzels you are told 'Sorry, we're all outta pretzels.')
Here endeth the lesson. :wink: