[ExI] spruiking

[Damien Broderick]

At 08:02 AM 11/5/2007 +0000, BillK in UK wrote:

>Hey, most people here don't speak strine!  :)

Encarta online says:

spruik (past and past participle spruiked, 
present participle spruik·ing, 3rd person present singular spruiks)

intransitive verb
Definition:

Australia promote: to promote goods, services, or 
a cause by addressing people in a public place ( humorous )


I find another online definition, with example:

spruik (sprook) verb intr.

    To make an elaborate speech, especially to 
attract customers.[Of unknown origin.]

   "[Lee Iacocca] appeared in the first of 80 television commercials spruiking
    a money-back guarantee if people disliked their new Chryslers."
    Gideon Haigh; Corporate kings; The Times (London, UK); Mar 17, 2004.

Then again, although Mr. Haigh was born in 
London, he's an Aussie sports/business journo (or 
journalist) working in Old Blighty (or Britain.)