Traditional
Still common
Definition
Great, fantastic, excellent.
Example Sentence
"That was a ripper of a game!"
Where "Ripper" Comes From
"Ripper" grew out of the older British slang adjective "ripping," a Victorian-era way of saying something was excellent — a "ripping good time," for instance.
Australians turned the adjective into the noun "ripper," using it as a standalone exclamation or description, and it's remained one of the most enduring and versatile words of praise in Australian English.
How Aussies Actually Use It
"Ripper" works as an exclamation on its own ("you little ripper!") or as a description, as in "that was a ripper of a game."
It's a warm, enthusiastic word, often used to celebrate something unexpectedly good, from a sporting win to a stroke of luck.
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