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Home and hosed

Posted by Paul Guthrie on February 07, 2000

'Home and hosed' is a fairly common phrase in Australia and New Zealand, and has the meaning 'safe, completed successfully '.

Does anyone have any clue(s) as to the origin of the phrase?

Obviously 'home' has an association with being safe, or having sucessfully returned or arrived.

But how about the 'hosed' part of the phrase? Any ideas or references?

e.g.
Has it something to do with a job that requires hosing down equipment, or implements, or work gear, or animals, at the end of the job, i.e. after having arrived home or back at the farmstead?
Does it mean that you hosed yourself down (i.e. got home and had a shower)?
Does it mean that got home and put on some stockings or socks?
None of the above?

Any suggestions welcome. A book reference would be great.

Thanks.

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