Browsing page 1 of new words for September 23, 2008

verb - intransitive

• to vomit. Australian slang.

  I feel as if I'm going to chunder.

  • See more words with the same meaning: to vomit.

  Last edited on Aug 02 2010. Submitted by Josh from Joplin, MO, USA on Dec 10 2001.

origin

• Folk etymology: corruption of "watch under".
  
  When the early sailing ships came to the New World with non-seafaring persons onboard, they were encouraged to remain on the top deck as much as possible. Due to seasickness, they often vomited over the side of the deck. When this happened, the crew shouted out "watch under" so that people below with their port holes open could move away from or close the window.

  Last edited on Aug 02 2010. Submitted by Backhouse, G. on Sep 23 2008.