Phrases & SayingsWork, bush and rural life
waltz Matilda
To carry a swag and travel on foot looking for work.
In a sentence
He waltzed Matilda from station to station looking for work.
Where it came from
A jocular phrase for carrying a matilda (swag); possible influence from German auf die Walze gehen. Australian National Dictionary Centre direct entry confirms the recorded sense and Australian historical context.
- Initial era
- 1850–1899
- Where used
- Australian use; no narrower regional pattern established
- Use today
- Historical phrase; culturally remembered