bush telegraph

noun

1. any system of communication in which the natives of a jungle or bush region transmit news rapidly, as by runners, drum codes, or smoke signals.
2. Australian.
   1. any chain of communications by which criminals, originally bushrangers, are warned of police movements.
   2. Slang. rumor; the grapevine.

bush telegraph

noun

1. a means of communication between primitive peoples over large areas, as by drum beats
2. a means of spreading rumour, gossip, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of bush telegraph¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Dent added in the Bush Telegraph later: "I haven't got a lot left in me at the moment. I'm just keeping on a face for everybody."

From BBC

"Lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it's only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers," he said later, speaking to camera in the Bush Telegraph room.

From BBC

Hancock in the Bush Telegraph said: "I wasn't really expecting it, but it did get very emotional."

From BBC

Speaking later in the Bush Telegraph room, Hancock said: "Lots of the campmates asked questions that the public have got as well and it's only respectful to just give completely straight and truthful answers."

From BBC

“Some vocalizations they make are so powerful and are transmitted through the ground as vibrations, acting like a kind of bush telegraph for elephants saying, ‘There’s trouble.’”

From Scientific American