What it means
Means something’s genuinely true, honest, or the real deal. Drop it to swear you’re not spinning a yarn, or to call out someone else’s dodgy story, often as a question, Fair dinkum? Works as an emphatic stamp of approval too, like finding a bargain that isn’t a rip-off. You’ll hear it everywhere from worksites to the servo.
Usage examples
"You paid fifty bucks for that vintage band tee? Fair dinkum, it still smells like Vinnies and bad decisions. Chuck it in the wash before your missus cracks it."
"Fair dinkum, I saw a kangaroo hop straight down the main street this morning."
"He said he'd pay us back and, fair dinkum, the money was in my account by lunch."
"Fair dinkum, that fish and chips was eight bucks and actually decent. Thought the bloke had priced it wrong."
"You got the job already? Fair dinkum? Go on then, shout us a coffee and stop grinning like that."
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Where it comes from
It’s a proper old Aussie phrase from the late 19th century. Fair dinkum was already being used to mean genuine, true, and above board. The exact root of dinkum is still disputed, so that bit stays foggy, but the phrase itself is solidly established in Australian English and has been for ages.
Other ways to say it
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