Traditional
Considered old-fashioned today
Definition
Woman - dated, use with care.
Example Sentence
"She's a tough sheila."
Where "Sheila" Comes From
Likely derived from the Irish name Sheila (Síle), common enough among early Irish female convicts and settlers that it eventually became a generic term for any woman.
It followed the same pattern as "Paddy" becoming a generic label for an Irishman — a specific name broadening into a general one.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Considered old-fashioned and best used with care today, though still heard among older generations or used ironically — "she's a tough sheila" carries an admiring, rugged tone.
Many younger Australians avoid it now, aware of its dated and sometimes reductive connotations, though it remains recognisable Aussie vocabulary.
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