Sickie. n [ˈsɪkɪ]
(‘To chuck a sickie’) To take a day off work even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Often used when there is a public holiday in the same week. Also appropriate when hungover, tired, a major sporting event is on TV, or you just don’t feel like going to work.
Today is Australia Day, the day where people show their love for our wonderful country in many and varied ways.
Many people have done that Aussiest of things, making plans for celebrating Australia Day knowing full well they will be in no position to go to work on Friday (ie; they will be chucking a sickie).
The roads are busy with people heading to the beach and cars loaded with camping gear heading up the bush. Those so inclined proudly sport their Southern Cross tattoos and drape themselves in the Australian flag.
Barbeques across the country are being fired up, the smell of snags and chops drifts through the neighbourhood. Eskies are being loaded with ice and beer sales have gone through the roof. Khe Sanh is legally required to be played loudly at every large gathering at least once today. Ok, I might have made that last bit up.
No Australia Day post is complete without the most repeated and well known part of my favourite poem. My Country, by Dorothea Mackellar.
I love a sunburnt country……Go and read the whole thing, it is wonderful.
www.dorotheamackellar.com.au/archive/mycountry.htm
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate 11 Sep 1901 http://trove.nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72497004
