dinkum

[ ding-kuhm ]

adjective

, Australian.

1. genuine; authentic.

dinkum

/ ˈdɪŋkəm /

adjective

1. genuine or right

   a dinkum bloke

2. fair dinkum
   fair dinkum genuine or true: used to emphasize the truth of something or in asking for the truth of something to be confirmed

   Back to the states? Fair dinkum?

3. dinkum oil archaic.
   dinkum oil the truth

Word History and Origins

Origin of dinkum¹

First recorded in 1890–95; origin uncertain, possibly from Lincolnshire dialect dincum, dinkum “work, hard work,” extended to mean “doing one's fair share of work”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dinkum¹

C19: from English dialect: work, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

No one in the Australian army but knows the meaning of "dinkum."

From Project Gutenberg

"Dinkum yakker" all right, and about three-parts of it not necessary, if I'd only known.

From Project Gutenberg