OLD AUSTRALIAN SAYINGS AND THEIR ORIGINS

Back in the days when the land down under was still finding its feet, a unique phrase was coined that would become an iconic part of Australian vernacular. This is the tale of a saying that dates all the way back to April 1st, 1972. It was on this day that the first person dared to utter the words, "Better than a slap in the belly with a wet fish." This original Australian phrase was born in the heart of a true-blue Aussie, Bob Mulligan.

Bob, a staunch union man and a dedicated brickies labourer, was a man of simple pleasures. He was a lover of the great outdoors, a seasoned bettor on horse races, a regular at footy matches, a keen golfer, and a dedicated fisherman. His life was as colourful as his language, and his favourite pastime was fishing for mullet.

Bob had a unique nickname, "Mullet," which was a homage to his love for the fish and his distinctive hairstyle. The name "Mullet" was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was because Bob used mullet as bait to catch better eating fish. On the other hand, he was the first to sport the iconic "Mullet" haircut, a tuft of hair that cascaded down over the back of his neck. This stylish move was not a fashion statement, but rather a practical one. Bob grew his mullet to shield his neck from the harsh Australian summer sun.

The phrase "Better than a slap in the belly with a wet fish" came to be when Bob and his best mate, Clive Murphy, also known as Murf, were out fishing. Clive was a constant source of complaints, and on this particular day, he was grumbling about the billy tea that Bob had just brewed. Bob had enough of Clive's whining and decided to teach him a lesson. As Bob reeled in a sizable mullet, he turned to Clive and dared him to lift his T-shirt. As Clive complied, Bob, still holding the mullet by the tail, slapped Clive square on his flabby belly. Then, he asked Clive to choose between the billy tea and the slap in the belly with a wet fish. Clive, with a sigh of relief, admitted that the tea was indeed much better than a slap in the belly with a wet fish.

Later that day, Bob and Clive decided to share their amusing story at the local pub. The tale of the mullet and the slap spread like wildfire among the patrons. The beauty of a good story is that it doesn't need a digital platform to go viral. It can spread faster, further, and wider than any social media outlet. And so, "Better than a slap in the belly with a wet fish" quickly became one of the most popular Australian sayings, right up there with "better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick" and "flat out like a lizard drinking."

As the day turned into night, Bob and Clive, having had their fill of the local brew, staggered out into the moonlit night, happy as larry. Years later, the Mullet hairstyle would become famous, thanks to John Farnham. However, Bob, the original creator of the style, was never given the credit he deserved. But, Bob will forever be remembered for his unique contribution to the Australian language.

Bob and Clive, now well into their 80s, are still going strong. They continue to share their love for fishing, and the legend of the mullet and the slap in the belly with a wet  fish lives on.