swagman

American  

[swag-muhn] / ˈswæg mən /

noun

Australian.

• swagmen
  plural

1. a tramp, hobo, or vagabond.

2. anyone who carries a swag while traveling, as a camper or prospector.

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swagman British  

/ ˈswæɡˌmæn, -mən /

noun

1. Also called: swagger, swaggie. informal a labourer who carries his personal possessions in a pack or swag while travelling about in search of work; vagrant worker

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• swagmen
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of swagman

First recorded in 1875–80; swag ² + -man

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

swagman swagmen

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong, Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Australians, to whom this enthusiasm was second nature, roared into Bardia singing: Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong Under the shade of a coolibah tree.

From Time Magazine Archive

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong, "You'll never take me alive," said he.

From Time Magazine Archive

Macauley, at 35, was a proud and able swagman, i.e., itinerant sheep-station hand, who hated cities, where you always need "a penny for the slot and a key for the door."

From Time Magazine Archive

He was dressed after the swagman fashion, certainly no better, and perhaps a little worse.

From The Childerbridge Mystery by Guy Newell Boothby

Very soon, one suspects, the swagmen on Sir Matt Busby Way will have to update their "Giggsy 12 Gerrard 0" T-shirts paying homage to his unprecedented collection of title wins.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 1, 2013

We went "humping bluey" as swagmen, as the tramp is called in Australia.

From Tramping on Life An Autobiographical Narrative by Harry Kemp

Suddenly a strange misgiving seized me, and I asked involuntarily, "Do you have many swagmen calling round here?"

From Such Is Life by Joseph Furphy

For travellers must carry bags, And swagmen have to hump their swags Like bottle-ohs or ragmen.

From The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay

We looked solvent enough, as far as swagmen go.

From While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson

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