Where “Bush Telegraph” Comes From
“Bush telegraph” is the informal network that spreads news and rumours by word of mouth, usually faster than official channels. Green’s Dictionary of Slang marks it as originally Australian.
Its earliest dated uses in Green’s are from 1864, in Sydney papers. One early sense described a member of a bushranging gang who watched for police and passed on warnings.
Source:
“I heard it on the bush telegraph before the boss said anything.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
It’s used in workplaces, towns and families for the gossip network.
In Real Life
In small towns and workplaces the bush telegraph is faster than any newspaper. A rumour about a new boss or a closing shop can get around in an hour, before anyone has confirmed it. People use the phrase half-jokingly, to say “I’ve heard this, but I can’t vouch for it”. Today the bush telegraph is as likely to be a group chat as a chat over the fence.
Quick Questions
Is the bush telegraph reliable?
Not always. It spreads news quickly, but it also spreads rumours, so check what you hear.
Is it the same as the grapevine?
Yes. “Grapevine” is the usual word in many countries. “Bush telegraph” is the Australian version.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: BOOSH TEL-uh-graf.
In conversation:
- The bush telegraph says the shop is closing.
- I heard it on the bush telegraph.
- News travels fast on the bush telegraph.
Good to know: The phrase suggests news that may be unreliable, so people often add a pinch of salt: “That’s just the bush telegraph.”
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