Cobber

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkÉ’b.É™(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -É’bÉ™(ɹ)

Origin

Perhaps from the British dialectal term cob ("take a liking to"). Another suggested source is Yiddish חבֿר (khaver, "comrade"), which is borrowed from Hebrew חבר (khavér, "friend").

Australian National Dictionary Centre » Meanings and origins of Australian words and idioms » C.

Full definition of cobber

Noun

1. (Australia) A pal, buddy, mate, friend; often used in direct address by one male to another.What′s up, cobber?G'day cobber!
• 1953, Nevil Shute, , 2010, %22cobbers%22+-intitle:%22cobber|cobbers%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W8ErT_SiLcPwmAXe_cTaDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22cobber%22|%22cobbers%22%20-intitle%3A%22cobber|cobbers%22%20-inauthor%3A%22%22&f=false unnumbered page,“He′s a good cobber, even if he is the parson,” he said at last. “He′s a good cobber.”“That′s right,” said Jim patiently. “He′s a good cobber, and he′s the parson. Now you buzz off and leave him be. We′ve got business to talk here.”
• 1955, Charles McCormac, “You′ll Die in Singapore!”, %22cobbers%22+-intitle:%22cobber|cobbers%22+-inauthor:%22%22&dq=%22cobber%22|%22cobbers%22+-intitle:%22cobber|cobbers%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pr0rT-WALsPfmAWH5u3iDw&redir_esc=y page 181,He was the first member of our forces we had seen for five months. “Hi ya, cobber,” muttered Don.
• 2009, George W. Adams, Under the Southern Cross, %22cobbers%22+-intitle:%22cobber|cobbers%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GLQrT-5V6dKYBd_ZyMkP&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22cobber%22|%22cobbers%22%20-intitle%3A%22cobber|cobbers%22%20-inauthor%3A%22%22&f=false page 137,A voice from out of nowhere challenged: “Who is going away cobber?” “Bob!” I shouted. “Boy, am I glad to see you ... Where the hell have you been, my dear bloody cobber?”

Synonyms