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sarking

(chiefly, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, architecture) Wood, felt, or other material placed under the shingles of a roof or behind the outer leaf of a wall in order to provide support or insulation

ˈsɑɹkɪŋ207 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
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Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(chiefly, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, architecture) Wood, felt, or other material placed under the shingles of a roof or behind the outer leaf of a wall in order to provide support or insulation; the practice of furnishing a structure with such material; an installation of such material.

Much housing work lies within this area, and to avoid high maintenance costs the Department is building many houses with plaster exteriors upon diagonal sarkings.
For parents

"sarking" means: Wood, felt, or other material placed under the shingles of a roof or behind the outer leaf of a wall in order to provide support or insulati.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"sarking" means: Wood, felt, or other material placed under the shingles of a roof or behind the outer leaf of a wall in order to provide support or insulati.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (New Zealand) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being

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For specific readers

"sarking" means: Wood, felt, or other material placed under the shingles of a roof or behind the outer leaf of a wall in order to provide support or insulati.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang

Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.

See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.

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