Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Plural form of
ostrich .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Well all I can say to these ostriches is "If you live here of course it should bother you."
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This form of behaviour is sort of similar to the creching present in ostriches, and the parental behaviour of male cassowaries, emus and kiwis.
Archive 2006-06-01 Darren Naish 2006
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This form of behaviour is sort of similar to the creching present in ostriches, and the parental behaviour of male cassowaries, emus and kiwis.
More on what I saw at the zoo Darren Naish 2006
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Once, say they, the ostriches were a beautiful and glorious race of birds, with large, strong wings.
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Once, they say, the ostriches were a beautiful, glorious race of birds, with strong large wings; and one evening the larger birds of the forest said to the ostrich, "Brother, shall we fly to-morrow, _God willing_, to the river to drink?"
What the Moon Saw: and Other Tales Alfred Walter Bayes 1840
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They had nothing to eat excepting what they could catch, such as ostriches, deer, armadilloes, etc., and their only fuel was the dry stalks of a small plant, somewhat resembling an aloe.
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They had nothing to eat excepting what they could catch, such as ostriches, deer, armadilloes, etc., and their only fuel was the dry stalks of a small plant, somewhat resembling an aloe.
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They had nothing to eat excepting what they could catch, such as ostriches, deer, armadilloes, etc., and their only fuel was the dry stalks of a small plant, somewhat resembling an aloe.
Chapter VI 1909
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(See on [1150] Job 30: 29). owls -- rather, "ostriches," which give a shrill and long-drawn, sigh-like cry, especially at night.
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They had nothing to eat excepting what they could catch, such as ostriches, deer, armadilloes, etc., and their only fuel was the dry stalks of a small plant, somewhat resembling an aloe.
The Voyage of the Beagle Charles Darwin 1845
frindley commented on the word ostriches
As in "Australian sons and ostriches"
The Australian anthem actually begins:
"Australian sons let us rejoice."
But I didn't realise this until sixth class.
April 19, 2008
frindley commented on the word ostriches
I mean, I had always wondered about the ostriches – they're not native to Australia after all – but I simply concluded that emus wouldn't have scanned so well.
Oh, and I think nowadays we're meant to sing "Australians all…"
April 19, 2008
plethora commented on the word ostriches
In primary school, my friends and I sang "Australians all eat ostriches."
We knew what it was really, but it was fun.
April 19, 2008
frindley commented on the word ostriches
And apparently there's another variant:
"Australians all let us call Joyce
For she is young and free…"
April 19, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word ostriches
I never heard "Australian sons..." and always thought it was "Australians all."
April 20, 2008
frindley commented on the word ostriches
I'm just old enough to have learned the un-PC original version of the Australian anthem. And to have sung God Save the Queen as well as the national anthem. (God Save the Queen was phased out when I was infants school, I think).
By the way, if not sung at dirge-like pace, the tune for God Save the Queen (My country ’tis of thee) reveals its origins as a sprightly Elizabethan galliard.
April 20, 2008
plethora commented on the word ostriches
Frin, that Joyce version sounds a bit sus, if you ask me.
I, myself, am far too young to have known the non-PC version, or even to know it ever existed. I was ready with an indignant response when I read the first comment :D
April 20, 2008
frindley commented on the word ostriches
Re: ringing Joyce
Wikipedia cites it as a mondegreen sung by the main character in the Australian mockumentary Kenny (2006). Kenny also has such fascinating sayings as: "This is the busiest time of year, this is a crazy time, it just goes bonkers. It's as silly as a bum full of smarties".
April 20, 2008
plethora commented on the word ostriches
That would be rather silly. I can think of much better things to do with Smarties.
April 20, 2008
bilby commented on the word ostriches
Is that why no-one likes the brown ones?
December 5, 2008
sionnach commented on the word ostriches
'Strewth!
December 5, 2008
arcadia commented on the word ostriches
There's a tape of me as a 2 year old, talking about the "ah-swidge" at the petting zoo. I love that pronunciation, even now.
December 5, 2008