1940s
Still common
Definition
Go away; get lost; leave me alone (a polite substitute for stronger curses).
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Where "Get knotted" Comes From
"Get knotted" arose in Australia during World War II as a punchy, censor-proof euphemism for stronger four-letter oaths. Telling someone figuratively to "tie themselves into a knot" delivered all the defiant sting of profanity without risking military disciplinary charges or radio fines.
By the 1970s, it had become a beloved staple of Australian television sitcoms and family conversations, providing a wonderfully crisp, sharp-edged way to deliver an uncompromising rejection while keeping the language clean.
Source:
Example Sentence
"If they expect me to work overtime for free on a sunny Saturday, they can get knotted."
How Aussies Actually Use It
An assertive refusal or dismissal: 'Tell him to get knotted!'
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