bludger slang.
(ˈblʌdʒə(r))
[Shortened from bludgeoner.]
1. = bludgeoner; spec. a prostitute's pimp.
| 1856 [see stick-slinger s.v. stick n.1 17]. 1898 Bulletin (Sydney) 17 Dec. Red Page/2 A bludger is about the lowest grade of human thing, and is a brothel bully. 1936 ‘R. Hyde’ Passport to Hell vi. 103 The male defenders of the prostitutes' quarters, known to the dictionary as souteneurs, and to the troops as bludgers. 1937 [see bludge v.]. 1960 Observer 28 Aug. 28/2 They are strikingly different to the white prostitutes who ply their trade for coloured bludgers. |
2. A parasite or hanger-on; a loafer. Now often in weakened sense. Austral. and N.Z.
| 1939 X. Herbert Capricornia (1949) 81 All the men here are loafers and bludgers. 1941 Baker Dict. Austral. Slang 11 Bludger, a loafer, idler, ne'er-do-well; one who imposes on others. 1942 2 N.Z.E.F. Times 21 Dec. 17/4 Some bludger's got my tin hat. 1953 R. Braddon in I. Bevan Sunburnt Country 130 A bludger is a shirker. 1969 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 12 June 2/5 Surely if one is willing to give a good day's work for a good day's pay one should be given a chance to earn. I'm no bludger. |