"All duck, no dinner"

Posted by R. Berg on September 04, 2002

In Reply to: "All duck, no dinner" posted by Tony Cook on September 04, 2002

: "All duck, no dinner"

: I have heard this used here in Australia and am
: not sure of the meaning or origin.

: Anyone have any idea?

: Thanks

"All duck or no dinner," 'The final fling which may lead to either triumph or disaster' (John Skehan, 1984): Anglo-Irish: C20. Cf. synon. '**** or bust' and 'Sydney or the bush'" [Eric Partridge, Dictionary of Catch Phrases: American and British, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day]. Haven't heard it myself; sounds like a parody of what a desperate duck hunter might say before taking a shot.

• "All duck, no dinner" Tony Cook 09/04/02