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Sherrin

(AU, Australian rules football) A football used in Australian rules.

/ʃˈɛɹɪn/Documented since 1880sSilenthistorical197 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1880 · no dated citations yet
1880BornToday, 2026

Definitions

Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(AU, Australian rules football) A football used in Australian rules.

Give the Sherrin to the umpire.
Origin: From the brand name; invented by Thomas William Sherrin in 1880. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"Sherrin" means: A football used in Australian rules.. 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

"Sherrin" means: A football used in Australian rules.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (Australian) — 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 used naturally in a comparable context.

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For specific readers

"Sherrin" means: A football used in Australian rules.. 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.

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