wood and water joey

English

Etymology

As common tasks would include fetching wood and water. "Joey" ("young marsupial, notably a young kangaroo") as wood and water joeys were usually young.

Noun

wood and water joey (plural wood and water joeys)

(Australia, dated) A person who performs odd jobs; a rouseabout or handyperson.
- 1873, New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council, Votes & Proceedings, page 682:
  I have known a case where a gentleman, since the Premier of a neighbouring colony, recommended to the Government of which I was a member the appointment of two persons at New England, one of whom was, we were afterwards told, what is called a wood and water joey in a squatter's employment, and the other was a shepherd.
- 1921, Queensland. Public Service Commissioner, Annual Report:
  "A wood and water joey"! The prospect of such a career for their son is not alluring to many a town father and mother, and hence their reluctance to permit the boy to take a job in the country even though he may feel the call of the land.
- 2011 December 1, Lennie Wallace, Cape York Peninsula, Boolarong Press, →ISBN, page 29:
  As 'wood and water joey,' he was responsible for supplying wood for the fire and water for the camp.
- 2021 March 30, D. M. Horner, The Commanders: Australian Military Leadership in the Twentieth Century, Routledge, →ISBN:
  After the campaign commenced Bennett was determined that the AIF would take an active part in the defence of Malaya and not become just a collection of 'wood and water joeys' for the British.