Traditional
Still common
Definition
A small, makeshift shelter or hut.
Example Sentence
"They knocked up a humpy out of tin and branches."
Where "Humpy" Comes From
"Humpy" comes from the Yagara Aboriginal language of the Brisbane region, originally describing traditional Aboriginal bark or bough shelters.
It broadened in colonial-era Australian English to describe any rough, improvised hut.
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used for any basic, rustic shelter, especially in rural or bush settings.
It carries a slightly humble, no-frills connotation compared to a proper house.
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