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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: toby webb on Thursday 06 May 21 11:56 BST (UK)
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When discussing some Australian ancestors and attempting to satisfy all aspects, the phrase 'throwing a curly' came up as being a question that is difficult to answer! Can anyone make some suggestions as to where this originated?
Thanks for any help, Toby.
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My understanding is it comes from a sporting terminology as in 'throwing a curved ball' in cricket.... so unexpected behaviour going in another direction or taking an unexpected action if associated with a person
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Partridge's Dictionary of slang and unconventional English says:
curly, adj. Difficult, as in "That's a curly one" - a question hard to answer: (? mostly) Aus.: since ca. 1950. Perhaps ex googly bowling in cricket.
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https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_that_is_a_curly_question_idiom