"All duck, no dinner"

Posted by R. Berg September 04, 2002In 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.

Replies

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