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Joined: Nov 2002
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This is all very interesting. I'd never heard the expression "gone walkabout" used in any but the most trivial sense, and never knew it had a spiritual connotation originally. I knew it was an expression that originated with Aboriginals, and should have guessed from what I know (not very much) about their relationship to the land and moving around on it that it should mean more than being lost in the bush.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
It's a journey a boy makes as part of his transition to manhood. He goes out alone to seek his spirit guide, generally staying away for some period of time. A month rings a bell.
This is all dimly remembered stuff from anthropolgy days.
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old hand
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old hand
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Posts: 742 |
In reply to:
Its most common usage over here was, originally, to describe HM Queen Liz II when she condescended to mingle with the crowds of the great unwashed who flock to gawk at her when she does anything.
A fine example of the way in which contempt for an institution can reflect itself in the disdain for the individuals associated with it. And, no, I am no monarchist
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old hand
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old hand
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Gee golly guys, can't we respect the aborigines. Are their customs and traditions so fragile that they are offended by the mismouthings of silly honkeys who misuse their term "walkabout" ? One would think them more the equal to the best of us.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
interesting how we went from filling up our gas-guzzlers to walking about... 
formerly known as etaoin...
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addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477 |
Just the rantings of some know-nothing Yank.
Methinks it's all in the context...
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 14
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 14 |
> Gee golly guys, can't we respect the aborigines. Are their customs and traditions so fragile that they are
> offended by the mismouthings of silly honkeys who misuse their term "walkabout" ? One would think them
> more the equal to the best of us.
It's nothing to do with "fragility" of aborigine customs. The use of the word "walkabout" is a bit sensitive because it has been used with perjorative intent and, except for the afore-mentioned regal connection, is rarely used any other way. There's still an underlying current of irresponsibility and laziness associated with the word.
Mark Waddington
Mark Waddington
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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In reply to:
There's still an underlying current of irresponsibility and laziness associated with the word.
But that is exactly what I love about going walkabout! It is a break from everyday life that allows me to see things in a different light, experiment with alternates of myself but mostly it allows me to be free.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
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Walkabout is also the name of a 1970's Ozzie movie, that has held up pretty well.. you can rent it in US at most blockbusters, and its worth watching.
the movie was the first time i heard the expression.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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a 1970's Ozzie movie
Based on the book by James Vance Marshall. They make an interesting compare and contrast
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