r Why and how did Australians start using the word' mates' meaning buddies or friends?

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r Why and how did Australians start using the word' mates' meaning buddies or friends?

2007-06-07 04:26:55 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups

2 answers

Essentially a term from sea, from sea farers, Australians, with waters all around them, found it easy to adopt "mates" as a friendly contribution from sea faring masters, the English!

2007-06-07 04:32:43 · answer #1 · answered by swanjarvi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

A usage they brought with them from England.

The usage is dying out in the U.S. except for certain regional variants, like "suit-mate" instead of "roommate", but it is still around, just not common, eh matey?

2007-06-07 11:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by Gaspode 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋