Go for a sixer

Posted by Graham Cambray on January 18, 2009 at 23:44

In Reply to: Go for a sixer posted by Smokey Stover on January 18, 2009 at 04:26:

: : What is the origin and full meaning of "to go for a sixer"? I heard it the other day from a young woman and I haven't heard since I was a child 40 years ago. Perhaps it is distinctly Australian.

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: Since you heard it in person, you ought to have asked for an explanation. A sixer, without contest, would suggest six of something, and the context might include the particularities of the person using the word. If it were someone male and in the U.S. I would be inclined to expect a six-pack of beer, but Australia is very far away.
: SS

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It seems that "go for a six" was discussed some years back (www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 43 messages 853.html), but I think that "going for a sixer" has developed a "harder" meaning in Oz (I'm in the UK) - more in the line of a major setback than a shock. At least, I'm assuming this is the meaning you refer to. Now, you can tell me: Isn't a "sixer" a goal in Rules? - in which case "going for a sixer" could mean "giving it your best shot", or something similar.

• Go for a sixer Graham Cambray 19/January/09