What does 'Offsider' mean in Australia?
Australian slang 'Offsider' meaning?
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'Offsider' meaning
2 definitions
Fingers
An assistant, a helper, or a right hand man / woman.
IAN DRENNAN
The OFFSIDER name had it’s origin from the Bullock Team days.
When the Teamster went to harness up his bullock team he would stand on the “near” side (left hand side of the beast facing forward) to place the yoke around the neck and forward of the shoulders. This is a difficult maneuver to perform on your own. So he would have person to help him by standing on the “off side” (right hand side of the beast facing forward).
This person was refered to by the “BULLOCKY” as my “OFFSIDER”.
The offsider also helped with general maintenance of the wagon and harnesses.
He often helped load and and unload the goods being carted by the wagon.
Thus the name “OFFSIDER” became associated with the right hand man, helper and assistant
Whilst not common in the bullock team days, these days it is common for a woman to be an offsider.
An assistant, a helper, or a right hand man / woman.
The OFFSIDER name had it’s origin from the Bullock Team days.
When the Teamster went to harness up his bullock team he would stand on the “near” side (left hand side of the beast facing forward) to place the yoke around the neck and forward of the shoulders. This is a difficult maneuver to perform on your own. So he would have person to help him by standing on the “off side” (right hand side of the beast facing forward).
This person was refered to by the “BULLOCKY” as my “OFFSIDER”.
The offsider also helped with general maintenance of the wagon and harnesses.
He often helped load and and unload the goods being carted by the wagon.
Thus the name “OFFSIDER” became associated with the right hand man, helper and assistant
Whilst not common in the bullock team days, these days it is common for a woman to be an offsider.