Dincum

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. Genuine, honest, or authentic, as used in Australian and British slang to describe something real or fair
2. Describing something that is true, real, or square-dealing, a term common in Australian English
3. Honest, genuine, and straightforward, the sense found in Australian slang for what is real or fair

Etymology: Dinkum is Australian and New Zealand slang meaning genuine, fair, or true, as in "a fair dinkum bargain." The most likely origin is Cornish or northern English dialect "dinky" or "dincum" traces to the Cornish dialect "dinkum" meaning hard work, though this link is uncertain, and an alternative is the Chinese-Pidgin English "ding-ding" or Mandarin "dingqin" joined to "gum" in the phrase "din gum" meaning "work" or "day's work." The word is recorded in Australian English from the 1890s, with early uses mostly in the sense of honest work, and "fair dinkum" meaning genuine or straight-dealing soon followed. Its root appears in the phrase "on the dinkum," which likely meant "on the square" or honest. The sense of genuineness developed directly from the earlier idea of honest, fair labour. Because the sources for this word are uncertain, the precise pathway is best treated as an open question, though the Australian usage and the early 1890s recording are well attested.

Synonyms: genuine, authentic, honest, real

Antonyms: fake, phony, bogus