Bonzer
Bonzer (also spelled as Bonza[1]) is an Australian slang term. It is an expression of approval or one used as a generally positive reaction.
The term first appeared in print in 1904 in The Bulletin magazine where the meaning and origins of the word were discussed over several issues.[1] Various derivations have been suggested including:
- From born star
- A corruption of the French words bon and toujours --'always good'
- Derived from the Spanish 'bonanzo' or 'bonanza', the gold rushes being responsible for a number of Spanish words coming to Australia from California and Mexico[1]
As the term was used interchangeably in the early twentieth century with the words boshter and bosker, the derivation from the Spanish 'bonanza' seems less likely.[1]
In New Zealand the term appeared about the same time as in Australia but was spelt as bonser or bonsor until 1937.[1]
Surfboard
A bonzer is also a variety of surfboard created by the Campbell Brothers, Duncan and Malcolm, of Oxnard, California. It is a shortboard with three or five fins with double concave channels. The channels create a venturi effect which guides the water off of the surface of the board through a narrowed passage, increasing its acceleration and speed.[citation needed] Many consider the bonzer design to be the archetype of the modern surfboard.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Ludowyk, Frederick. "A Bonzer Conundrum". OzWords (May 2003). Australian National University : Australian National Dictionary Centre. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ Honolulu Weekly Cover story: Bonzer surfboards