Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Australia, slang, obsolete A very tall glass of beer.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

After Frederic Barker, who became the second Anglican bishop of Sydney, Australia, in 1855 and was noted for his height and for being a teetotaller. The expression became obsolete in the 1870s.

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Examples

  • Bishop Barker of Sydney was in the chair, and the Bishop of Newcastle, who had made one Melanesian cruise in the 'Border Maid,' was likewise present.

    Life of John Coleridge Patteson Yonge, Charlotte M 1873

  • On the 10th of June the 'Southern Cross' was in Sydney harbour, and remained there a fortnight, Bishop Barker gladly welcoming the new arrivals, though in general Bishop Selwyn and his Chaplain announced themselves as like the man and woman in the weather-glass, only coming-out by turns, since one or other had to be in charge of the ship; but later an arrangement was made which set them more at liberty.

    Life of John Coleridge Patteson Yonge, Charlotte M 1873

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