Two possible sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_bush#Related_terms (second paragraph of this section) or http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/murray-les/sydney-and-the-bush-0560078
Yeah, Sydney or the Bush is very definitely an Australian phrase. The bright big lights or nothing. I’m really surprised (and quite pleased) to find it here in a Peanuts strip.
The readers at the time this strip originally ran in newspapers had not Google to quickly look up the allusion. Maybe they had a helpful local librarian if they were lucky.
I remember posters in the late 60s, early 70s with Peanuts characters yelling “Sydney or the Bush” and of course Snoopy surfing and yelling “Cowabunga!” This strip and the others with Sydney or the Bush references made it a catchphrase among kids.
I’ve never heard this expression outside of ‘’Peanuts’. Maybe now people will know what I mean when I say it, and I do say it (well, think it, because nobody in Michigan knows what I mean when I say it. Learned that long ago.)
I’m glad he was willing to respond to such inquiries. If I’m not mistaken, we’re going to see this more in the next few days, just as the whole ball team was gritting their teeth a while back.
“Sydney or the bush” More than half of our population live on the eastern coast of which sydney is the major city. The rest live in the bush. Welcome to Australia and no, there are no kangaroos in Sydney wandering the streets although in brisbane, further north, you could spot one or two
It’s kind of like “California or bust” – do or die, go for broke. In Australia, Sydney represents the big city, and the bush is the lonely, dull, isolated outback. No in between, one way or the other, etc.
Templo S.U.D. over 12 years ago
Like Paul Hogan, Hugh Jackman, Bindi Irwin or Jason Chatfield for example?
Linux0s over 12 years ago
The phrase is similar to “California or bust” meaning do or die.
Kali39 over 12 years ago
They always used that phrase in the strip…
Alan Rees over 12 years ago
Two possible sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_bush#Related_terms (second paragraph of this section) or http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/murray-les/sydney-and-the-bush-0560078
KR over 12 years ago
All the convicts: in the bush. All the others: in Sydney. Although today’s Sidneysiders may often prefer the bush…
Steve Duffy over 12 years ago
Yeah, Sydney or the Bush is very definitely an Australian phrase. The bright big lights or nothing. I’m really surprised (and quite pleased) to find it here in a Peanuts strip.
germanvisitor over 12 years ago
I guess at that time Schultz didn’t think that people from non English speaking countries would read this…
Robert Wilson Premium Member over 12 years ago
The readers at the time this strip originally ran in newspapers had not Google to quickly look up the allusion. Maybe they had a helpful local librarian if they were lucky.
Robert Nowall Premium Member over 12 years ago
Remember the phrase, guys. If they run the comics in sequence, it comes up again in a couple of months.
skeeterhawk over 12 years ago
From what I’ve read on Australian lingo, I’m surprised it isn’t “Sidney or the GAFA.” Or shouldn’t I say that?
ComicRelief over 12 years ago
The birth of a classic Peanuts-ism!!
Plods with ...™ over 12 years ago
Checkers or wreckers!
Darryl Heine over 12 years ago
Why “Sdyney or the bush”?
The#1BoiseStateFan over 12 years ago
It’s mostly what briatollah said, but I’m guessing it’s not 60’s.
The Life I Draw Upon over 12 years ago
Maybe they had a roo in their attic and needed to let it out..I took it as the Aussie version of “California or Bust.”
patricew52 Premium Member over 12 years ago
Pikes Peak or Bust!
orinoco womble over 12 years ago
I remember posters in the late 60s, early 70s with Peanuts characters yelling “Sydney or the Bush” and of course Snoopy surfing and yelling “Cowabunga!” This strip and the others with Sydney or the Bush references made it a catchphrase among kids.
JR6019 over 12 years ago
I’ve never heard this expression outside of ‘’Peanuts’. Maybe now people will know what I mean when I say it, and I do say it (well, think it, because nobody in Michigan knows what I mean when I say it. Learned that long ago.)
Number Three over 12 years ago
LOL LOL.
That cap looks too big for Charlie Brown in the last panel.
xxx
lafayetteann over 12 years ago
Linus is going to the bush leagues.
Rakkav over 12 years ago
I’m glad he was willing to respond to such inquiries. If I’m not mistaken, we’re going to see this more in the next few days, just as the whole ball team was gritting their teeth a while back.
dils santos over 12 years ago
great
m.l. over 12 years ago
revron over 12 years ago
“Sydney or the bush” More than half of our population live on the eastern coast of which sydney is the major city. The rest live in the bush. Welcome to Australia and no, there are no kangaroos in Sydney wandering the streets although in brisbane, further north, you could spot one or two
iced tea over 12 years ago
It means: “It’s now or never.” I remember reading this strip as a little girl. I heard some baseball umpires say: “C’mon. Let’s kick some butt!”
Number Three over 12 years ago
@Snoopy_Fan
Glad you liked my comment yesterday. Did you also see my comment from August 16th? I always miss you when are off GoComics for a day or two.
Have you always had the Dancing Snoopy avatar on since you joined GoComics? It’s amazing how people can keep the same avatar for ages.
I MUST change mine every so often.
I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
xxx
cameron.hall over 12 years ago
It’s kind of like “California or bust” – do or die, go for broke. In Australia, Sydney represents the big city, and the bush is the lonely, dull, isolated outback. No in between, one way or the other, etc.