fair dinkum
Genuine; honest; the real deal.
Definitions
Genuine; honest; the real deal. "Fair dinkum?" = "Are you serious?"
"Fair dinkum, that was the best meat pie I've ever had."
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Genuine, honest, fair and square.
Fair dinkum means: Genuine, honest, fair and square.. 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.
fair dinkum means: Genuine, honest, fair and square.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register 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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