Key Terms in "Waltzing Matilda": Jumbuck, Tuckerbag, Billy, Billabong

The iconic Australian bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda" uses several colloquial terms:

• Jumbuck – A sheep. The swagman carries his belongings on his "jumbuck's back" (i.e., a sheep).
• Tuckerbag – A canvas or cloth bag for carrying food (tucker) and provisions while traveling.
• Billy – A lightweight metal can (often a tin) used for boiling water or cooking over a campfire.
• Billabong – A stagnant waterhole or oxbow lake formed when a river changes course; a vital water source in the outback.

Together, these words paint a picture of an itinerant worker (swagman) camping in the bush with his minimal gear.