ter the learned nomenclature of
Colonel Jackson, in the `Journal of the Geographical Society,'
anabranches, but which the natives call billibongs, channels
coming out of a stream and returning into it again."

1880. P. J. Holdsworth, `Station Hunting on the Warrego:'

"In yon great range may huddle billabongs."

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 25:

"What a number of swallows skim about the `billabongs' along
the rivers in this semi-tropical region."

1893. `The Argus,' April 8, p. 4, col. 1:

"Let's make a start at once, d'ye hear; I want to get over to
the billabong by sunrise."

<hw>Billet</hw>, <i>n</i>. an appointment, a position; a very
common expression in Australia, but not confined to Australia;
adapted from the meaning, "an official order requiring the
person to whom it is addressed to provide board and lodging for
the soldier bearing it." (`O.E.D.')

1890. E. W. Hornung, `A Bride from the Bush,' p. 267:

"If ever she went back to Australia, she'd remember my young
man, and get him a good billet."

<hw>Billy</hw>, <i>n</i>. a tin pot used as a bushman's kettle.
The word comes from the proper name, used as abbreviation for
William. Compare the common uses of `Jack,' `Long Tom,'
`Spinning Jenny.' It came into use about 1850. It is not used
in the following.

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 48:

"He then strikes a light and makes a fire to boil his kettle
and fry his bacon."

About 1850, the billy superseded the <i>quart-pot</i> (q.v.),
chiefly because of its top-handle and its lid. Another
suggested derivation is that billy is shortened from
<i>billycan</i>, which is said to be bully-can (sc.
Fr. <i>bouili</i>). In the early days "<i>boeuf bouilli</i>"
was a common label on tins of preserved meat in ship's stores.
These tins, called "bully-tins," were used by diggers and
others as the modern billy is (see quotation 1835). A third
explanation gives as the origin the aboriginal word
<i>billa</i> (river or water).

1835. T. B. Wilson, `Voyage Round the World,' p. 238:

"An empty preserved meat-canister serving the double purpose of
tea-kettle and tea-pot."

[The word <i>billy</i> is not used, but its origin is
described.]

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta,' vol. i. p. 202:

"A tin pan bearing the familiar name of a billy."

1871 J. J. Simpson, `Recitations,' p. 5:

"He can't get a billy full for many a mile round."

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Que