In one of the threads on Canadian hunting, someone used the term 'tucker' for food. I haven't heard or read that term used in that way for a long time, but I do have a distant memory of seeing or hearing it used. The person who used it on the Canadian board is an Aussie. Is this term an Aussie thing?

It's an old Australian term that has it's basis in History.



Way back in the mid-1850's a tribe of Aboriginals, the Pingatatatori, were on a trek to cross the Simpson Desert. It is a vast waisteland and contains no water. The tribe had all of the able bodied members carry nothing but water to see them through. This allowed no room for food so they invited a White Missionary to come with them, named Reverand Tucker.

True story.

A foodbox or lunchbox is also called a tuckerbox.

There is a stone memorial to Tucker just outside of Gundagai,NSW.

The town hosts the "Dog on the Tuckerbox Festival"in November each year.

Another was Doctor Flynn who started the Royal Flying Doctor Service in remote regions.

He was tricked into going onto walks with the Aboriginals into the desert never to return.He is known as 'Flynn of the Inland'HTH







Rev.John Flynn.