Words & TermsWork, bush and rural life
ducks on the pond
A coded warning that women or outsiders are present, originally in male workplaces such as shearing sheds.
In a sentence
In this historical or contextual use, “ducks on the pond” means a coded warning that women or outsiders are present, originally in male workplaces such as shearing sheds.
Where it came from
Historical Australian evidence documents ducks on the pond as a coded workplace warning.
- First recorded
- 1980s
- Initial era
- 1950–1999
- Where used
- Australian use; no narrower regional pattern established