Meaning of Aussie salute | Babel Free

Definitions

The act of waving a hand in front of the face to flick away flies (particularly bush flies, Musca vetustissima).

Australia, humorous

Examples

“[page 46] Even the stuffy diplomats of Canberra, the nation's federal capital, seem to drop their normal besuited reserve⟳ to wave⟳ what has laughingly become⟳ known as the "Aussie salute". But expressing a jovial liking for their fellow men is not what these antipodeans are doing: they are swatting flies. [...] [page 47] Proving that the introduced beetles are affecting bushfly numbers at this early stage⟳ is an even more difficult task (the diplomats of Canberra are still waving the Aussie salute).”

“Together the blowies and the mozzies gave birth to an important piece of Australiana – the Aussie salute.”

“The flies are a different proposition. It takes a while to learn⟳ the ‘Aussie salute’, waving your hand in front of your face⟳ at regular intervals to keep⟳ the flies away. It doesn’t matter⟳ where they land⟳, as long as you keep⟳ them off your face⟳, out of your nose and mouth. No matter⟳ how accomplished you become⟳ at the Aussie salute, you have⟳ not really made it until you have⟳ swallowed an Aussie bush fly⟳.”

“People may casually admire a Ulysses butterfly (and even pay⟳ to see⟳ living native butterflies as exhibits in Butterfly Houses), be fascinated by large termite mounds or trails of foraging ants, buy⟳ dragonfly larvae for fishing bait, counter bushflies with the ‘Aussie salute’, swat mosquitoes, and fear encounters with bull ants.”

“There are a lot of flies in the warmer months and it's not uncommon for tourists to wear⟳ hats with face⟳ nets to avoid⟳ them. Be prepared to do a lot of "Aussie salutes" during the day.”

CEFR level