billy

Everyday

1. (Australia, New Zealand) A metal can with a lid and handle, used to boil water or make tea over a campfire; also a billycan. tree →
2. A billy goat: a male goat. tree →
3. (US) A billy club: a short wooden stick carried by police. tree →
4. Short for the name William (Billy). tree →

In the lessons

Australian songs and stories: "Waltzing Matilda" has a swagman waiting while his billy boils. Farm stories: billy goats. Fairy tales: The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Phrases: boil the billy, billy tea, billy goat.

Examples

• We boiled the billy and made tea at the camp. tree →
• The billy goat butted the fence. tree →
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff crossed the bridge. tree →
• The swagman waited till his billy boiled. tree →
• Billy is my best friend's name. tree →
• A female goat is a nanny goat; a male is a billy goat. tree →

Note

Male goat = billy, female = nanny, young = kid. With a capital B it is a name. "Silly billy" is a gentle, playful way to call someone silly.