On the ocky

Posted by ESC on September 14, 2002

In Reply to: On the ocky posted by Michael Edwards on September 14, 2002

: : : What does "on the ocky" mean, and what is the origin?

: : : A cousin wrote to me about a family gift to an aunt:

: : : We are on the ocky as they say! Everyone seems to think this is a good idea....

: : : which seemed to mean all set, in agreement, going ahead, or perhaps okay.

: : : But in 1999 someone wrote in the alt.radio.uk.talk-radio newsgroup:

: : : On the ocky--darts on Talk Radio. Got to be the end of me listening to Talk. Darts on radio is the pits.

: : : In this case, "on the ocky" appears to be derogatory.

: : : Interesting.

: : I couldn't find this expression in any of my regional slang dictionaries. It is interesting. I'll keep looking.

: ESC, re your mention of regional slang, perhaps I should add that the person who wrote "On the ocky--darts on Talk Radio" identified himself as a Geordie. My cousin who wrote "We are on the ocky as they say!" has always lived in Bristol.

Oh. I didn't read your post carefully enough. I thought it was an American phrase. I looked in the two British slang books I have. All I found was the Australian equivalent of a "good ol' boy." "ocker -- n. Australian. a working-class male, especially one epitomizing the more boorish attributes...male comradship, beer-drinking and lack of refinement..." From the "Dictionary of Contemporary Slang" by Tony Thorne (Pantheon Books, New York, 1990).