beg-ˈpardon, n. Austral. and N.Z. colloq.
[f. phr. to beg pardon: see beg v. 3 and pardon n.1 6.]
An expression of apology.
| 1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands xv. 198 'Twas quick business down below here, 'n' no beg-pardons with Bunyip. 1916 J. B. Cooper Coo-oo-ee i. 11 Then without a ‘beg pardon’, off she goes again. 1965 F. Sargeson Memoirs of Peon vi. 187 Tony, after a maternally-directed beg pardon..rapped out a command. 1967 Sunday Mail Mag. (Brisbane) 8 Jan. 6/2 There were no beg-pardons about Mrs. Hodges (or Debbie, as she insisted I call her). 1969 Sun-Herald (Sydney) 13 July 45/7 Rucking was heavy and there were no ‘beg pardons’ as each pack used its weight. |