Macquarie Dictionary

or

Australian Word Map

Back to regionalism list

There are 1 results of your search for chop picnic.

chop picnic


Barbecue: Loading up the buckboard with the grog for the chop picnic.

Contributor's comments: I grew up in South Australia. Going for a chop picnic in the hills was a regular activity - 1950s - 1970s.

Contributor's comments: Chop picnics were very popular amongst young people working at the Royal Hobart Hospital in the 50ies. Barbecue was never heard in those days.

Contributor's comments: I think chop picnic was common in SA country areas before BBQs became common & this new term took over.

Contributor's comments: Both chop picnic and buckboard are used in SA as well.

Contributor's comments: Good to see Chop picnic as distinct from BBQ, which is an American term which means a different method of cooking!

Contributor's comments: My mother-in-law (born in the 1920s) always called a barbeque a "chop picnic". She lived in Sydney all her life.

Contributor's comments: I had never heard the term 'chop picnic' for an outdoor gathering until I went to teach in Broken Hill in 1954. I had lived in country NSW and we went on a picnic where we may have had hot/cold food but it was just a picnic.

Contributor's comments: I've long canvassed fellow South Australians about the use of "chop picnic". I grew up in Port Pirie (northern SA) and we used the term for family picnics in the bush. The results have been really odd. Some people from my region claim never to have heard the term. Some Adelaideans and people from other SA regions - only a few - know the term. So it's hard to say it was a strictly regional term. I haven't been able to work out why its usage has been so spotty. I ran a fundraising "barbecue" at Port Pirie High School in 1964 for the new Community Aid Abroad. We got a big BBQ made up by a local foundry. But I'd have to go back to the School magazine or the Pirie newpsaper of the time to see if we called the event a "chop picnic" or a barbecue. Whatever, the word "barbecue" seems to have started taking over in the 1960s.

Contributor's comments: I lived in Whyalla from 1940 -1978. Chop picnic was always used until mid 60's when population expanded rapidly from 14000 to 34000. Barbecue then became popular name. Suspect it was from 40% British tradesmen.