That's it Lindy. Good definition and usage for "bludger". Thanks. I didn't know the origins. Interesting: < Most Australians wouldn't know the history of the word bludger, but it is an interesting one. Originally, in Australian English, the word bludger came to mean someone who earned a living from prostitutes. This possibly came about from them bludgeoning those who wouldn't pay up. The Australian Slang Dictionary (1882), defines a bludger as "a thief who will use his bludgeon and lives on the gains of immoral women", a meaning that has only become obsolete in the last fifty years.>
NZ really is a nation of bludgers now. If you add up all those on the taxpayer's tit, including all government employees, government contractors and service providers, pensioners, dole, domestic purposes benefit, prison, sickness benefit, Accident Compensation Corporation benefits, widow's benefit, other benefits, Maori bludgers [special payments for all sorts of Maori stuff], crown-owned corporations and other government controlled bodies, and the dependants of those bludging on the citizens, you'd have about 60% of the population.
No wonder Helen Clark and the bludgers got back in to power last election. It's surprising so many didn't vote for them. Especially when you consider that the vast bulk of tax comes from a small proportion. There's hope glimmering still in the ashes of what was a producer society where bloody bludgers were given the heave ho.
Mqurice |
