Where "Bag of Fruit" Comes From
"Bag of fruit" rhymes with "suit," following the Cockney rhyming slang formula where a two-word phrase substitutes for the target word via rhyme. Cockney rhyming slang developed in London's East End from the mid-19th century and arrived in Australia with British migrants. "Bag of fruit" for "suit" is documented in Australian English from 1924.
In everyday use the rhyming word ("fruit") is sometimes dropped entirely, leaving just "bag" — understood from context. "Bag of fruit" is one of the more enduring Australian rhyming slang terms, still understood even by those who don't regularly use it.
Source:
"He turned up in his bag of fruit."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used, often with a bit of humour, to describe a smart suit someone's wearing — usually at a wedding, funeral, or other occasion that calls for dressing up.
It's old-fashioned enough now that it gets a laugh, which is part of why people still bring it out.
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