cobber

Etymology

Perhaps from the British dialectal term cob (“take a liking to”). Another suggested source is Yiddish חבֿר‎ (khaver, “comrade”), which is borrowed from Hebrew חבר‎ (khavér, “friend”).^[1]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɒb.ə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ɒbə(ɹ)

Noun

cobber (plural cobbers)

1. (Australia) A pal, buddy, mate, friend; often used in direct address by one male to another.

   What's up, cobber?

   G'day cobber!

   • 1953, Nevil Shute, In the Wet, 2010, unnumbered page,

     “He′s a good cobber, even if he is the parson,” he said at last. “He′s a good cobber.”

     “That′s right,” said Jim patiently. “He′s a good cobber, and he′s the parson. Now you buzz off and leave him be. We′ve got business to talk here.”

   • 1955, Charles McCormac, “You′ll Die in Singapore!”‎, page 181:

     He was the first member of our forces we had seen for five months. “Hi ya, cobber,” muttered Don.

   • 2009, George W. Adams, Under the Southern Cross‎, page 137:

     A voice from out of nowhere challenged: “Who is going away cobber?” “Bob!” I shouted. “Boy, am I glad to see you ... Where the hell have you been, my dear bloody cobber?”

References