donah
Australian historical slang, from the larrikin subculture of late 19th-century Sydney and Melbourne, for a larrikin's girlfriend or female companion.
Definitions
Australian historical slang, from the larrikin subculture of late 19th-century Sydney and Melbourne, for a larrikin's girlfriend or female companion. The larrikins were a working-class youth subculture, and their distinctive slang drew on Polari, Cockney, and other sources. A 'donah' was the female equivalent of the male larrikin.
The larrikin pushed through the door with his donah on his arm, both of them dressed to impress.
Comments
(AU, slang, historical) A larrikin's girlfriend.
Donah means: A larrikin's girlfriend.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
donah means: A larrikin's girlfriend.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
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