What does the phrase fair dinkum mean

Its not the screwdriver but the screw which was invented in the early 30's by Henry F. Phillips, a businessman from Portland, Oregon. Car makers needed a screw that could be driven with more torque and that would hold tighter than slotted screws. Car makers also needed a screw that would center quickly and easily, and could be used efficiently on an assembly line. The Phillips screw was designed so that it could be driven by an automated screw driver with increasing force until the tip of the driver popped out without ruining the screw head.

The Phillips screw first gained acceptance with Cadillac in the late 30's. Although many believe that the Dutch-based electronics group, Philips inventors of such common items as the audio cassette, the Compact Disc and the Compact Fluorescent Lamp also developed the cross-head screw, it was Henry F.

Phillips note the two Ls of Portland, Oregon, who really had his head screwed on properly. Henry came up with the design as the answer to the car manufacturing industry's problems with mechanical screwing machines on its ever-faster assembly lines. Compared with the conventional slotted screw, Henry's cross-head design made centring easier; it could be driven with more torque and tightened faster, and it rejected excess pressure or overtightening because the driver slipped out.

General Motors' Cadillac was the first vehicle assembled with Henry's new patented device which, of course, also needed his patented screw driver. Perhaps the priest pressed a bit hard when he made the sign of the cross on his forehead during the baptism.

From where does it get its name? Readers' responses: Email your answers - or questions - to bigquestions smh. Please try again later. The Sydney Morning Herald. January 22, — Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later.

Do you have an idea as to how the meaning and use of the phrase is changing? You clowns are heartbreaking. Din gum in chineese means good gold. Fair din gum was a question they asked to see how much gold had been found in an area.

You have me ganging hoarded than a funnel web here. Way to make something working class Aussies say sound arrogant. Comes from two Chinese words Ding and Kum which mean real and gold respectively. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Hmm…both interesting and equally plausible theories…. Fair dinkum can also be used as an adverb equivalent to fair and square — someone could be defeated or arrested fair dinkum. Dinkum is an unusual word that has invited some fanciful etymologies.

One is that it comes from fair drinking. The dinkum oil about dinkum is that it probably originates in English dialect. Stan Carey is a freelance editor, proofreader and writer from the west of Ireland. Fair share of work, truth, or honesty. Not kidding. Not 'taking the shit', as it were.

Fair dinkum , would I lie to you? Similar term to "No Sh!