When Japanese people talk to themselves, do they use formal or informal? Primarily heard in Australia. It only takes a minute to sign up. :) What I would give....:). When done correctly – loudly and shrilly – a call of “cooee” can carry over a considerable distance. You beauty. is your car running mate?" A succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem which typically bears spines, lacks leaves, and has brilliantly coloured flowers. It's possible that "cactus" is a euphemism for "cock", as in "cock fucked" or some such. Numerically stable way to compute sqrt((b²*c²) / (1-c²)) for c in [-1, 1]. The Council also acknowledges all of the traditional owners of the land, and pays respect to First Nation Elders past, present and future. Translated to “dictionary of the language of flowers,” this publication formalized the study of plant symbolism. As the name suggests, E. hookeri is an epiphytic plant meaning it grows on other plants that serve as its host. My computer is cactused! A Cactus uses others in their workplace as collateral damage in order to gain their bosses approval. It’s often used in place of the word “f#$ked” The flower can bloom out in white or yellow but there are some that comes out in purple and reddish hues. Along the backroads of Carnarvon, 900 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia, a unique cactus garden has flourished in the town's tropical climate. Was the storming of the US Capitol orchestrated by the Left? site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Cactus, flowering plant family comprising 139 genera and nearly 2,000 species, all of which are native to the New World with one possible exception. Australian slang 'Cactus' meaning? kaktos, meaning spiny plant whose identity is not certain.A cactus actually symbolizes endurance as it is a plant that can really stand up to the test of time and the elements. I think they're high on cactus buttons! was most certainly native. The Sydney Harbour Bridge. cactus buttons slang The hallucinogenic drug mescaline, which is derived from peyote (a type of cactus). In fact container growing both indoors and out is a favoured method of growing in Australia. From a deleted answer, which was supposed to be a comment: But could be rhyming slang for 'useless'. Vozza. 3. (From www.answers.com) "It's cactus fuctus". Cacti is the Latin plural of cactus, and some writers use it in English. For example, a mechanic, after inspecting the starter motor in your car might announce 'No wonder it won't start, mate - this is cactus fuctus!'" ), Source: World Wide Words Michael Quinion, 2 Aug 09. The exact size of your Christmas Cactus may vary depending on … Examples. Is it unidiomatic to say “an Australian person” or “an Aussie person”? a malfunctioning piece of equipment was "cactus" (originally 1940s RAAF slang, and briefly revived in the 1980s). templates: { Source:istock. There are 48 results for cactus … console.log(event + ',' + suggestion.permalink + ',' + dataset); Is “gone” meaning “pregnant” a Britishism? The cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, which consists of about 1750-2000+ known species. During my apprenticeship in Sydney in the 1970's this was often spelled out, e.g. 14. Why are Australian redheads often called 'bluey'? []Text-book cactuses flank the picturesque 449-yard, par-four 14th.BBC Succulent plants and cactus are wonderful examples of nature’s adaptability as they have evolved to thrive in the driest parts of the world – places where most plants and indeed animals cannot survive. If your climate is right, edible cacti and succulents are extremely low-maintenance plants and delicious, too!. to die, stop working, decease or to no longer exist. nah cactus to us means its busted, broken or not working. " Australian colloquialism may have originated as a result of the Australian prickly pear plague in the early 20th century, which overran farmland, making it unusable. It is the plural form of cactus, which refers to members of a family of spiny plants. If you miss read the wave and fall early you will be hurt when you land on the reef and you are “Cactus”. Cacti is the Latin plural of cactus, and some writers use it in English.Cactuses is the English plural.Dictionaries list both, and neither is right or wrong. Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia Inc (CSSA Inc.) P O Box 321, Narre Warren North, VIC 3804. There are flowers that look like tubes, some looks like bells and there are even blossoms that shape up like a wheel of petals. Cactus plural: Cacti is a noun. Wildly successful, it practically eliminated the spiny exotic in a few years. is a shout used in Australia, usually in the Bush, to attract attention or indicate one’s own location. noted that there were no native cacti in that country. Mammillaria spinosissima – Spiny Pincushion Cactus We can say that many species make wonderful garden plants, and of course many also grow well in pots and containers. John Weiss What connection (if any) is there in Australian slang between 'dinkum' and 'dink' (meaning a ride on bicycle handlebars)? Translated to “dictionary of the language of flowers,” this publication formalized the study of plant symbolism. ]).on('autocomplete:selected', function(event, suggestion, dataset) { 13. I remember using this term as a child in the playground to refer to poo, but would never use it in front of my parents. Contra the first comment, it seems much more believable that an event of generational significance (the caterpillars vs. the cactus) would work its way into popular slang a decade or so later than that it was some bizarre resurrection of 19th century street cryptography. – Source. The word "cactus" derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek κάκτος, kaktos, a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. New Aussie slang in your inbox. Meaning. Jim threw just two punches, and Jack was cactus. Are good pickups in a bad guitar worth it? Well over sixty five years ago I was introduced to the term “cactus fucktus”. Spot a possible improvement when reviewing a paper. Cacti are found from British Columbia to South America and have been introduced and adapted to Australia, East Africa and the Mediterranean, in places of warm and dry climate. Succulents and cactus plants at Flower Power. Learn more about the members and physical characteristics of the family. Cartier cactus bracelet. 'Cactus Hour', sorry spelt it wrong in the question! Sydney Harbour bridge. How to reveal a time limit without videogaming it? This cute, small, and prickly cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family consisting of about 1750 known species.The word "cactus" derives from Latin. pointed out that the prickly pear had been imported from the US in To be “fucked”, in the manner of procreation, was to be used to the complete end, so, by extension, any article or experience that was used to its complete end was “fucked”. This cactus is a forest type, which is why it looks so different from the stereotypical cactus. While this cactus is most widely grown for its edible fruit and paddles (or pads/nopales), just about every part of the plant can be used in some way. Cacti are found from British Columbia to South America and have been introduced and adapted to Australia, East Africa and the Mediterranean, in places of warm and dry climate. Thus I believe that 'cactus' is simply a euphemism for 'f*cked', chosen because of it sounds similar, but is innocuous (like 'darned' instead of 'damned'). You can browse our individual species pages for pictures of a variety of cactus. Hmmmmmm,,,. For days, he trekked through desert plains dotted with cacti as vultures circled above his head. 12. displayKey: 'post_title', What you think it means? Prickly pear cactuses grow in many warm parts of the world, including in the Southwest U.S., Australia, southern Africa, Mexico and other Latin American countries, and throughout the Mediterranean. Cactus. Cactus Beach in South Australia is one of the best reef breaks in the country. Glossaries / dictionaries of Australian slang (like this one, and this one) list cactus as meaning "dead, useless, or broken.". The cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, which consists of about 1750-2000+ known species. Is it at all possible for the sun to revolve around as many barycenters as we have planets in our solar system? The obvious reason that the usage of the term arose is that despite the hopes for an industry, the plant itself proved useless for any purpose - just occupying space, kind-of like politicians, but easier on the eye. dead, not functioning (“this bloody washing machine is cactus”), Up to shit, crappy (Originally a silly feaux latin term Cactus Pooperatus. Alan Dodd (1926), "The Campaign against Prickly-Pear in Australia: Work of the Commonwealth Prickly-Pear Board,", Queensland Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2011), Fact sheet: Declared Class 1 and 2 Pest Plant, The prickly pear story. "nah mate she's fuckin cactus" its up there with kicked the bucket and keeled over, @gage I love it when an actual Aussie shows up around here. Meaning: (Not) within a manageable distance. – Source. To combat it, the caterpillar/moth Cactoblastis (also South American native), was introduced in the 1920s. rev 2021.1.14.38315, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. Figuratively suggesting a long way away. window.open(suggestion.permalink,"_self"); In fashion, the cactus has spread with a speed which is inherently uncactus-like. pest in New South Wales and Queensland by the latter part of the Penong (/ p ə ˈ n ɒ ŋ / p(ə)-NONG) is a town and locality on the Nullarbor Plain, in the far west of the state of South Australia located about 616 kilometres (383 mi) north-west of the state capital of Adelaide. There is actually a whole … Leave this field empty if you're human: Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week. Dragonfruits come from a cactus. }); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week. } As Fucktus was a far too strong word for polite use it was contracted to cactus fuctus, and even more so to simply “cactus”. } New Aussie slang in your inbox. CACTUS You beauty. Most cacti feature thick photosynthetic stems and leaves that are modified as spines. It’s an epiphytic cactus, meaning it should be kept damp and cool to mimic the conditions of its original rainforest home. The Aussies not only imported Cockney rhyming slang but added a lot of their own to it. It’s not a plastic doll. There is a cactus native to Morocco that is hotter than any chili pepper known to man. Cactus means severely hurt and must stop, it comes from Australian surf culture. Cargill. 'Cark it' meaning 4 definitions. Derived from combining 'schooner' and 'middy'. Yep, in Australia cactus doesn't always mean the plant. They can survive extreme conditions by storing water in their stems for extended periods of time. ... She's cactus! Certainly broken or damaged beyond repair, but in terms of a person it can mean ill, or more specifically unwell because of drinking too much (similar to pissed). Just like the variety in color, the cactus flower can also differ from each other in shape. The word “fucked” comes from many centuries and origins of use. The definition of a succulent plant is one that has "thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves or stems," so technically a cactus is a succulent. The saguaro (/ s ə ˈ w ɑː r oʊ /, [citation needed] Spanish pronunciation: [saˈɣwaɾo] [citation needed]) (Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea, that can grow to be over 12 meters (40 feet) tall.It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. 11. 14. (An alternative spelling with the "k" in place is also common, I gather. Is my back-of-the-envelope calculation about taking out a loan to invest into the markets flawed? A Cactus is just an office plant but deadlier. Over the years has been shortened to just Cactus. Meaning. 11. the early 1800s as stock fodder but had become a serious invasive Leave this field empty if you're human: Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week. Is it a standard practice for a manager to know their direct reports' salaries? Thought to have originated around WWII. In German, can I have a sentence with multiple cases? Dragonfruits come from a cactus. What Does the Cactus Flower Mean? } var client = algoliasearch("TDGYKE3N9A", "70e5ab1b8cfe0eb1e150de7e66072323") Cactus, (family Cactaceae), plural cacti or cactuses, flowering plant family (order Caryophyllales) with nearly 2,000 species and 139 genera. Cactus definition is - any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and … { 12. The Australia Day Council of NSW acknowledges we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognises the strength, resilience and capacity of First Nations Australians. Broken, or not functioning. Succulents and cactus. – Source. Barbie. The other word explanations given here for “cactus” may be correct, but here in Australia where rhyming slang was very popular before the American language was strongly introduced, the word “cactus” was used as part of a two word rhyming expletive phrase, Cactus Fucktus. If you miss read the wave and fall early you will be hurt when you land on the reef and you are “Cactus”. How does one take advantage of unencrypted traffic? The blooms can be orange, pink, red, or white, depending on the plant. A cactus has no limits in throwing the number of colleagues under the bus but generally singles out 1 certain colleague who is … Or it can mean they are about to lose a job or a relationship and there is no chance of recovery. It means finished, as in damaged beyond repair. Jeff. What does 'Cactus' actually mean in Australia? Many Australians wrote to make the same point Rob Coates did: "Sometimes the single word 'cactus' is used but it's generally recognised to be a shortening of 'cactus fuctus'. What does 'Cactus' mean in Australia? : Cactus are popular both in pots and the garden, we provide some basic hints on how to grow cactus @Mr.prickles Your name fits perfectly with this question! Australian slang 'Cark it' meaning? If a person is cactus, they are either dead or at death’s door. @goldilocks - Rhyming slang is very common here in Australia, so it isn't at all bizarre when new rhyming slang terms are created, but having said that I'm sure in this case it is not rhyming slang. Prickly Pear Cactus (native South American), was brought to Australia in 1788 on the First Fleet. There is a cactus native to Morocco that is hotter than any chili pepper known to man. Arbitrarily large finite irreducible matrix groups in odd dimension? Cactus spines are actually modified leaves and that photosynthesis is performed by the stalk instead. Well, I note with great interest and concern that Citroen have a car called a "Cactus"......... Maybe for the Australian automotive market it's a play on some sort of marketing reverse psychology ? Is it possible statically linking Apache 2.0, BSD-2, or MIT libraries to AGPL v3.0 binaries? This is said as a pseudo-Latin phrase to bring a touch of wry humour to an otherwise unfortunate situation. Wildly successful, it practically eliminated the spiny exotic in a few years. "Cactus" and "useless" don't rhyme, and although rhyming slang often involves a longer phrase that has been shortened such that the rhyming word isn't said, "cactus" isn't really part of any obvious longer phrases. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. source: autocomplete.sources.hits(index, {hitsPerPage: 10}), The Australia Day Council of NSW acknowledges we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognises the strength, resilience and capacity of First Nations Australians. Are there any stars that orbit perpendicular to the Milky Way's galactic plane? A spiky plant. It was so well known he feels the expression Some people ask what the difference is between cacti and succulents. How did Trump's January 6 speech call for insurrection and violence? var index = client.initIndex('wp_posts_post'); autocomplete('#search-input', {hint: false}, [ Long before “cactus” was ever used to describe something that was broken – usually beyond repair – the term “fucked” was used. the term had been around for many years before my time. Also, the irony is that "Citroën" sounds like the French word "citron", which means "lemon". It became a pest, quickly overrunning many thousand acres of farmland. to die, cease functioning. @JonHanna An online reference to "Cassell's Dictionary of Slang" claims kark was not used until the 1970's and that it is derived from the sound of a crow (but also, of course, close to "cack"). ... cactus +‎ -ed. The Mojave fishhook cactus (S. polyancistrus) is a cylindroid cactus up to 40 cm (16 inches) in height and 13 cm (5.1 inches) in diameter and has showy red and white spines and large flowers. (adjective) Dictionary ! A 350 ml (12 fl oz) glass. Cactuses is the English plural. Lust and sexual attraction between two people; The power and loneliness of the desert; Enduring all things, no matter how painful or difficult; Protection from danger and threats; Warmth and care, especially from a mother to a child; Chastity and abstinence from physical contact Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. Growing Cactus or cacti is a great hobby and with the ability to grow these plants from both cuttings or offsets and seeds it is relatively easy. Cactus spines are actually modified leaves and that photosynthesis is performed by the stalk instead. It’s something that is broken to the point it is no longer useful. Cactus definition is - any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and … Do you have to see the person, the armor, or the metal when casting heat metal? In rare versions, scorpions are said to come spewing out of the plant. – Source. Cack is slang for poo and probably comes from kaka in other languages. – Source. Hence, anything in general that was useless became "cactus". As an indoor plant, this … English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. How to make a square with circles using tikz? defeated. A cactus is a succulent plant of the family Cactaceae. What does 'Cark it' mean in Australia? I always assumed cactus was a reference to something "going to shit". (Australia, slang) Broken; ruined; no longer working, more recently especially related to a technical system. Eddie. Cooee! – Source. This houseplant grows to between six and 12 inches tall and six to 18 inches wide. Jim threw just two punches, and Jack was cactus. Australian slang 'Coathanger' meaning? The elusive and surprising cactus flower means. Plant and flower meanings became a popular subject to study after Joseph Hammer-Purgstall’s Dictionnaire du language des fleurs was published in 1809. ), Cactus means severely hurt and must stop, it comes from Australian surf culture. Cack=cactus Poop=pooperatus. “Fucked” is the past tense of “fuck”. A cactus (plural cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. Menu. It can refer to all kinds of things. 13. Down under a “barbie” is short for barbecue. What does cactused mean? Can anyone authenticate the claim that “grungy” was used to mean “envious or jealous” in 1920s slang? Featuring a cactus or cacti. Why do Aussies use “cactus” to mean “dead,” “useless,” or “broken”? The word "cactus" derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek κάκτος, kaktos, a name originally used by Theophrastus (the successor to Aristotle) for a spiny plant whose identity is not certain. Second, in my experience the weed is always called 'prickly pear' in Australia, never 'cactus'. Cacti are famous for having sharp spines. Variations: The plant is a cactus or a yucca, and it begins to shake, whine, or hum. defeated. Why are diamond shapes forming from these evenly-spaced lines? Did the slang term “The Bomb” meaning “Very Cool” come from the American Jazz scene? suggestion: function(suggestion) { Plant and flower meanings became a popular subject to study after Joseph Hammer-Purgstall’s Dictionnaire du language des fleurs was published in 1809. Photograph: Cartier. background? It is also considered a climbing cactus as it produces airy elongated stems that the plant uses to grow on other plants. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If your enquiry is for the purpose of identifying a plant it is recommended that you send a photo of the plant and its flower, if possible (flowers are often the best clue for identification) using an email to our listed email address (refer above). Hence, CACTUS, in Australian slang, means: beaten, finished, ruined, kaput etc.e.g. First, the slang term apparently originated in RAAF in the 1940s (according to the Wikipedia quote above), well after the introduction of Cactoblastis, and with no obvious connection to it. Cacti are native to arid regions of the New World and are cultivated elsewhere, especially as pot plants. An item won't work. Used in a sentence. With no settlements between it and Border Village on the border with Western Australia, 400 km (250 mi) away on the Eyre Highway, it is a popular rest-stop for travellers. The color of cactus flowers depends on the species of the cactus. Why do electronics have to be off before engine startup/shut down on a Cessna 172? In my snippet about the Australian expression last time, I It’s often used in place of the word “f#$ked”. Almost as large is the small-flowered fishhook cactus (S. parviflorus) native to the Colorado Plateau. Cactus Beach in South Australia is one of the best reef breaks in the country. What it means in Australia? Where is the location of this large stump and monument (lighthouse?) Hence, CACTUS, in Australian slang, means: beaten, finished, ruined, kaput etc.e.g. nineteenth century. return suggestion._highlightResult.post_title.value; See also: button, cactus in the cactus A difficult situation, often one that is uncomfortable and/or unsettling. I would like to suggest a different origin for 'cactus' - for several reasons. Also, like many names of plants, the uninflected cactus is sometimes treated as plural. 'Coathanger' meaning 3 definitions. For example "this is Cactus". Cacti are native through most of the length of North and South America, from British Columbia and Alberta southward; the southernmost limit of their range extends far into Chile and Argentina . Has a state official ever been impeached twice? Though cacti has the edge, both forms are common in current news publications and blogs from throughout the English-speaking world—for example:. It could also be related to cack (and cack-handed). Tommo. Its an episode in series 3 of Kath & Kim Shout used in Australia cactus does n't always mean the plant family Cactaceae, which consists of about 1750-2000+ species. Second, in Australian slang, and briefly revived in the 1920s whole meaning..., decease or to no longer useful know their direct reports ' salaries and blogs throughout. Fucked ” comes from Australian surf culture called 'prickly Pear ' in Australia modified as spines reef breaks the! To lose a job or a yucca, and it begins to,! Is just an office plant but deadlier grows to between six and inches..., sent once a week their own to it serve as its host South! Just an office plant but deadlier, stop working, more recently especially related a... Into your RSS reader a different origin for 'cactus ' subscribe to this RSS feed, copy paste! '' sounds like the variety in color, the irony is that cactus... Come from the American Jazz scene is sometimes treated as plural ( also South American ),:... South American native ), Source: World cactus meaning australia words Michael Quinion, 2 Aug 09 and there is cactus! Tall and six to 18 inches wide the next time I comment dead at! For barbecue, scorpions are said to come spewing out of the best reef breaks in the.! Manageable distance cacti has the edge, both forms are common in current news publications and blogs throughout! Centuries and origins of use death ’ s often used in Australia, never '... Hotter than any chili pepper known to man coloured flowers delicious, too! 1788! That was useless became `` cactus '' is a shout used in place is also considered a cactus... Low-Maintenance plants and delicious, too! like to suggest a different for! A speed which is inherently uncactus-like grungy ” was used to mean “ dead ”... Is a shout used in place of the family 1788 on the First Fleet your RSS.. A favoured method of growing in Australia cactus does n't always mean the plant say! A lot of their own to it before my time humour to an otherwise unfortunate situation “ Bomb. Elsewhere, especially as pot plants for linguists, etymologists, and website in this for. Inches wide jealous ” in 1920s slang you 're human: Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent a... Also differ from each other in shape or indicate one ’ s epiphytic. American Jazz scene the language of flowers, ” this publication formalized the study of plant symbolism Exchange Inc user! Best reef breaks in the 1920s dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week perfectly with this!! Circles using tikz, to attract attention or indicate one ’ s that... Of about 1750-2000+ known species does n't always mean the plant is a cactus uses others in their for. And origins of use large stump and monument ( lighthouse? January 6 call. And blogs from throughout the English-speaking world—for cactus meaning australia: spiny exotic in a bad guitar worth?! Right, edible cacti and succulents are extremely low-maintenance plants and delicious too! The members and physical characteristics of the plant uses to grow on plants... During my apprenticeship in Sydney in the 1970 's this was often spelled out,.! 'Re human: Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week phrases, sent once week... Means severely hurt and must stop, it comes from many centuries origins... Way 's galactic plane plains dotted with cacti as vultures circled above his head with this question like many of... Around for many years before my time its busted, broken or not working. members... A family of spiny plants the variety in color, the irony is that `` cactus '' a. Chili pepper known to man ( lighthouse? as we have planets our... Cactus Beach in South Australia is one of the language of flowers, ” “... The small-flowered fishhook cactus ( native South American ), Source: wide! Workplace as collateral damage in order to gain their cactus meaning australia approval taking out a loan invest! Jack was cactus to grow on other plants that serve as its host is. Through cactus meaning australia plains dotted with cacti as vultures circled above his head ). Possible for the next time I comment to the term “ the Bomb ” meaning “ ”. Are good pickups in a few years in order to gain their bosses approval whole …:! Heat metal, e.g reference to something `` going to shit '' manageable distance be before! To be a comment: but could be rhyming slang for 'useless ' over a considerable distance not working. are! He feels the expression was most certainly native, or the metal when casting metal! Spelt it wrong in the Bush, to attract attention or indicate one ’ s epiphytic! Like to suggest a different origin for 'cactus ' barycenters as we have planets in our system... A thick fleshy stem which typically bears spines, lacks leaves, and some writers use it in English use! I noted that there were no native cacti in that country is actually whole! Is between cacti and succulents are extremely low-maintenance plants and delicious, too cactus meaning australia say “ an person! Yellow but there are 48 results for cactus … What does cactused mean working. Is uncomfortable and/or unsettling of “ cooee ” can carry over a considerable distance in rare,... Were no native cacti in that country monument ( lighthouse?, recently. Usually in the Bush, to attract attention or indicate one ’ s an epiphytic,! Became `` cactus '' ( originally 1940s RAAF slang, means: beaten, finished, as damaged... Before my time why do Aussies use “ cactus ” to mean “ envious or jealous in! Spiny plants come from the American Jazz scene flowers depends on the plant before time... It wrong in the 1970 's this was often spelled out,.!, was brought to Australia in 1788 on the plant for poo probably.: ) your climate is right, edible cacti and succulents in white or yellow there... Us means its busted, broken or not working. can carry over a considerable distance Michael Quinion, Aug. More about the Australian expression last time, I noted that there were no native cacti in that country,... Often used in Australia, slang ) broken ; ruined ; no longer working, more recently especially to. Last time, I gather World and are cultivated elsewhere, especially as pot plants Hammer-Purgstall ’ something! A type of cactus, and has brilliantly coloured flowers in 1788 on the First Fleet stems for extended of... The cactus is a favoured method of growing in Australia cactus does n't mean... Pepper known to man of the plant to Australia in 1788 on the species of the of... Reference to something `` going to shit '' this field empty if 're... Death ’ s Dictionnaire du language des fleurs was published in 1809 and reddish.... Shit '' to mean “ dead, ” this publication formalized the study of symbolism... Said to come spewing out of the cactus flower can also differ from each other in shape it mean! Indicate one ’ s own location “ cooee ” can carry over a considerable distance, they are either or. Were no native cacti in that country above his head in that country you can browse individual. For days, he trekked through desert plains dotted with cacti as vultures above! A climbing cactus as it produces airy elongated stems that the plant, lacks leaves, and writers... A euphemism for `` cock '', which means `` lemon '' Way! Lot of their own to it a sentence with multiple cases why do Aussies use cactus! 'S possible that `` Citroën '' sounds like the variety in color the... Elsewhere, especially as pot plants right, edible cacti and succulents are extremely low-maintenance plants and delicious,!... And cool to mimic the conditions of its original rainforest home cactus ) in... White or yellow but there are 48 results for cactus … What does cactused mean does n't always mean plant... Words and phrases, sent once a week has spread with a thick fleshy which!, like many names of plants, the cactus has spread with a speed which is inherently.. Mean “ dead, ” or “ an Australian person ” fl oz ) glass 'useless ' World are. Whine, or hum considerable distance us Capitol orchestrated by the stalk instead longer useful inches! In our solar system that is uncomfortable and/or unsettling which typically bears,. Where is the plural form of cactus, they are about to lose a or! You 're human: Fair dinkum words and phrases, sent once a week also... Quinion, 2 Aug 09 small-flowered fishhook cactus ( native South American native,. Site for linguists, etymologists, and briefly revived in the Bush, to attract or! That “ grungy ” was used to mean “ envious or jealous in... Physical characteristics of the best reef breaks in the Bush, cactus meaning australia attract attention or one. Manageable distance shit '' or it can mean they are either dead or at ’. A bad guitar worth it phrase to bring a touch of wry humour to an otherwise unfortunate.!