Kangaroo Paw

[ChrisGreaves]

The Kangaroo Paw is W.A.'s state flower.
So we are not surprised that this news item caught my attention.
Around about the 0m30s mark in the video you will hear Mick Young issue the word "Blue" in close association with the phrase "female of the Red " Humans with red hair are nicknamed "Blue" in the local idiom.
Cheers, Chris

[HansV]

Humans with red hair are nicknamed "Blue" in the local idiom.

Why?

[ChrisGreaves]

Why?

Good Question!
Ron? Geoff? Bluey? Anyone?
Cheers, Chris

[GeoffW]

I'd always assumed that it was because of an ironic sense of humour, like calling somebody very tall as Tiny or a bald person Curley. But there's another theory that it's because of the Irish, who were more inclined to have red hair and who were also more inclined to get into a fight, or a blue. This in turn appears to be related to using blue language, or swearing, which appears to be of non Australian origin.

[ChrisGreaves]

I'd always assumed that it was because of an ironic sense of humour, like calling somebody very tall as Tiny or a bald person Curley. But there's another theory that it's because of the Irish, who were more inclined to have red hair and who were also more inclined to get into a fight, or a blue. This in turn appears to be related to using blue language, or swearing, which appears to be of non Australian origin.

Agreed.
Of the explanations I have read, I'd go for the simple "opposing" view as you suggest for "Tiny" or "Curly". I suspect that the complicated origins suggested by "The fighting Irish of Stratford" come from people who feel that embellishment lends credence.

Cheers, Chris

[BobH]

In the US South there was a theory prevalent that red-heads had a short temper and were likely to be easier to provoke. It probably goes back to Scots-Irish settlers.

[jonwallace]

In the US South there was a theory prevalent that red-heads had a short temper and were likely to be easier to provoke. It probably goes back to Scots-Irish settlers.

You talkin aboot me? Come ower here an say that!!

[GeoffW]

And then again you have the cartoon series Bluey which has apparently gained something of a following. But in this case, Bluey is a Blue Heeler, a breed developed as a farm dog. A Blue Heeler is so called because it has black with white hair, something like Blue- whereas a Red Heeler is one with red hair with white.

We Australians aren't especially consistent.

[HansV]

On the basis of the above, I'd have expected the red-and-white-haired one to be called Blue Heeler...

[ChrisGreaves]

... whereas a Red Heeler is one with red hair with white.

Based on my limited knowledge of sheep dogs, may I suggest that a Red Heeler might also be a reference to a very poorly trained Border Collie?

We Australians aren't especially consistent.

Am I, therefore, labouring under the opprobrium of being consistently inconsistent? (Segue for John Gray ...)
Cheers, Chris

[HansV]

Now THIS is a red heel!

RedHeel.jpg

[GeoffW]

Based on my limited knowledge of sheep dogs, may I suggest that a Red Heeler might also be a reference to a very poorly trained Border Collie?

I'm not aware of this. A poorly trained dog may be considered green perhaps? A green blue heeler?

Based on an extensive one minute research, it might seem that red heelers were bred first, but they looked too similar to dingos, whcih ate a nuisance to sheep farmers, so might get accidentally shot.

Now THIS is a red heel!

I think this might actually be a Red heel:

Screenshot_20240423_054401_Chrome~2.jpg

But this however

Screenshot_20240423_061524_Chrome~2.jpg

[BobH]

The things I learn from Aussies . . .

[ChrisGreaves]

The things I learn from Aussies . . .

But note too that in the image on the liniment jar above, both the greyhound and the quarter-horse are fleeing in terror from the rub-down.
Cheers, Chris

[GeoffW]

Speaking of blue heelers ... our next door neighbour has a business washing dogs, using a small blue mobile trailer. It's called Blue Wheelers.

[HansV]

If you wash a red heeler in a blue wheeler, will it come out as a blue heeler?

[ChrisGreaves]

If you wash a red heeler in a blue wheeler, will it come out as a blue heeler?

Yes.

Unless it shrinks in the wash.

In which case you'd end up with a Purple Puppy.

Cheers, Chris

[GeoffW]

If you wash a red heeler in a blue wheeler, will it come out as a blue heeler?

I'm not sure on that. But I'm pretty sure it would come out wet.

Screenshot_20240426_163803_Chrome~2.jpg

Screenshot_20240426_163656_Chrome~2.jpg

[ChrisGreaves]

“The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.”

To be sure, to be sure, but did Ambrose express that scentiment as a compliment?

During a year of walking around Bonavista I have the most conversations with young Bruno (he hits me up for a two-dollar piece for booze, but is quite lovable and harmless) but I wouldn't class him as the most affectionate conversationalist.
Cheers, Chris

[BobH]

In the US South there was a theory prevalent that red-heads had a short temper and were likely to be easier to provoke. It probably goes back to Scots-Irish settlers.

You talkin aboot me? Come ower here an say that!!

I have red-heads in the family. No need to travel that far.