Where "The Big Smoke" Comes From
The history is genuinely contested. Green's Dictionary of Slang has an 1848 Australian quote describing the phrase as what "the aborigines picturesquely call the town," and an 1857 source glosses "Toom-virran" as "big smoke" for Brisbane. Separately, "the big smoke" turns up in British and Irish use from the 1860s for London and Dublin, apparently developing independently. Because of the age of these sources, the Aboriginal-language link should not be read as settled fact.
Sources: Big Smoke, n. (Green's Dictionary of Slang) · 'the big smoke': meanings and origins (Word Histories)
"Heading up to the big smoke for a few days to see a specialist."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Usually said with a hint of country/city contrast — "the big smoke" implies the speaker is from, or thinking from, somewhere smaller.
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