on, being a throwing stick, that is,
an instrument with which to throw spears, whilst the
<i>boomerang</i> is itself thrown; but the idea of throwing is
common to both. In many parts the word is pronounced by the
blacks bummerang. Others connect it with the aboriginal word
for "wind," which at Hunter River was <i>burramaronga</i>, also
<i>boomori</i>. In New South Wales and South Queensland there
is a close correspondence between the terms for wind and
boomerang.

1827. Captain P. P. King, `Survey of Intertropical and West
Coasts of Australia,' vol. i. p. 355:

"Boomerang is the Port Jackson term for this weapon, and may
be retained for want of a more descriptive name."

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 108:

"We gambolled all the way up, throwing small pieces of bark at
each other, after the manner of the native youths, who practise
this with a view of strengthening their arms, and fitting them
for hurling a curious weapon of war called a `bomering,' which
is shaped thus:"
\
\
/
/

Ibid. p. 280:

"Around their loins was the opossum belt, in one side of which
they had placed their waddies, with which they meant to break
the heads of their opponents, and on the other was the
bomering, or stick, with which they threw their spears."

[This is a confusion between <i>boomerang</i> and
<i>woomera</i> (q.v.). Perhaps Mr. Dawson wrote the second
word, and this is a misprint.]

1839. Major T. L. `Mitchell, `Three Expeditions into the
Interior of Eastern Australia,' vol. ii. p. 348:

"The bommereng, or their usual missile, can be thrown by a
skilful hand, so as to rise upon the air, and thus to deviate
from the usual path of projectiles, its crooked course being,
nevertheless, equally under control."

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia,' p. 186:

"The admirable dexterity with which they fling the bomerangs.
To our thinking the thrower was only sending the instrument
along the ground, when suddenly, after spinning along it a
little way, it sprung up into the air, performing a circle, its
crescent shape spinning into a ring, constantly spinning round
and round, until it came and fell at his feet."

1845. O. Wendell Holmes, `Modest Request' (in Poems):

"Like the strange missile which the Australian throws,
Your verbal boomerang slaps you on the nose."

1849. J. P. Townse