sb. Australian colloq. Also jackeroo. [A derivative of JACK sb.1, app. with the ending of kangaroo.] A man newly arrived from England to gain experience in the bush (see quot. 1885); an inexperienced young colonist.
1880. W. Senior, Travel & Trout, 19 (Morris). Jackaroos—the name given to young gentlemen newly arrived from home to gather colonial experiences.
1880. A. C. Grant, Bush-Life Queensland (1881), I. 53. The young Jackaroo woke early next morning.
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, Advance Australia, 85 (Morris). Before starting on their own account to work a station, they go into the bush to gain colonial experience, during which process they are known in the colony as ‘jackaroos.’
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Squatter’s Dream, vii. 72. If these here fences is to be run up all along the river, any Jackaroo can go stock-keeping.
Hence Jackaroo v. intr., to lead the life of a jackaroo; to gain experience of bush-farming.
1887. Dayne, In Name of Tzar, 134. Ah, wouldn’t I break you in, if I had you jackerooing at Bundoolumoonoung for six months.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 91. Perhaps the young one’s going jackerooing at Jedwood.
1890. ‘Tasma,’ In her Earliest Youth, 152 (Morris). There’s nothing for them to do but to go and jackaroo up in Queensland.
