Ned Kelly

English

Etymology

From the historical figure Ned Kelly.

Noun

Ned Kelly (plural Ned Kellys)

1. (slang, chiefly Australia) A figure or person akin to the iconic Australian bushranger Ned Kelly, typically denoting someone with audacious recklessness or morally questionable business dealings, or who opposes or defies authority.
   • 1904 March 11, The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, NSW, page 15, column 2:

     It [sc. smoking] will have the joy of the excitement, and the uncertainty of bushranging with a suggestion of Ned Kelly about it — and every boy is at heart a Ned Kelly.

2. (slang, chiefly Australia) An instance of behaviour that exemplifies such characteristics.
   • 1974 August 20, The Courier-Mail, Brisbane, page 12, column 5:

     Mr. Bizzell said the council offered him £740 for 74 perches of land... 'They are just Ned Kellys,’ he said. 'They certainly won't put it back on the market without making a handsome profit.'

3. (slang, chiefly Australia) A figure or person who, like Ned Kelly, shows great bravery, daring, tenacity, or ferocity.
   • 1884 October 4, The Ballarat Courier, Vic, page 1, column 1:

     Such "preparedness" that immunity from danger can best be found, "One sword keeps another in the scabbard," and even a Ned Kelly would fight shy of the man who had a loaded rifle always at hand and who knew how to use it.

   • 1885 June 6, The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW, page 7, column 4:

     He had all the ferocity of a Ned Kelly, am bullets and blood were to him nectar and ambrosia.

   • 1919 October 24, The Newsletter, Sydney, page 1, column 3:

     John Clare's pilot [sc. jockey] is not a Ned Kelly. When interfered with in the 14.2 at Rosebery he took no risks of coming down, and almost pulled the John O'Lorne gelding up until in a clear position.

5. (rhyming slang, originally Australia) The belly. Often shortened to Ned.

Derived terms

• before one can say Ned Kelly
• game as Ned Kelly
• gamer than Ned Kelly
• in more strife than Ned Kelly
• Ned Kelly beard