boncer meaning (informal): definition, etymology and quotations

boncer

adj

Etymology In marble sense: British dialect (north Hampshire), probably variant of bouncer (“a large thing”). In slang sense (= remarkable, excellent): replaced by voiced variant bonzer.

Australia, New Zealand, Informal, Obsolete Remarkable; wonderful.

The Trout boys had often spent the day with the Burnells in town, but now that they lived in this fine house and boncer garden they were inclined to be very friendly.1918 June, Katherine Mansfield [pseudonym; Kathleen Mansfield Murry], “Prelude”, in Bliss and Other Stories, London: Constable & Company, published 1920, →OCLC, chapter 8, page 45:

boncer

noun

New Zealand, Dated A kind of large marble; a bonce.

Australia, New Zealand, Informal, Obsolete Something remarkable, wonderful, excellent, etc.

‘Of course the hero of the meeting was A.H. Holder, and let me tell you he is a ‘boncer’.1897 April 3, The Auckland Star, Supplement, page 2: