Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (mainly Aus., also darls) a general term of endearment.

1930		K.S. Prichard Haxby’s Circus 266: Sleep well, darl?
1950		(con. 1936–46) K.S. Prichard Winged Seeds (1984) 56: You can bet your sweet life on that, darl.
1952		J. Cleary Sundowners 13: I’m glad you’re built like you are, darl. Plenty of it.
1959		D. Hewett Bobbin Up (1961) 48: ‘By the way darl . . .’ she paused.
1960		C. MacInnes Mr Love and Justice (1964) 192: Well, darl, they all say that.
1960		A. Seymour One Day of the Year III i: E put on a voice like a bloody panz and ’e sez up high like, ‘Darl, ’ow ARE yer?’.
1965		W. Dick Bunch of Ratbags 135: Look out, darl.
1971		A. Buzo The Roy Murphy Show (1973) 103: Hang on, darls.
1974		D. Ireland Burn 123: That’s right, darl.
1982		H. Beaton Outside In I ii: She don’t mean a sugar daddy, darl.
1983		J. Byrell (con. 1959) Up the Cross 14: ‘[W]hyn’tcha move your friggin’ chair outa range, darls?’.
1996		Penguin Bk of More Aus. Jokes 55: ‘Take it easy, darl,’ said the husband.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 59: darl Darling. An affectionate diminutive.
2004		L. Redhead Peepshow [ebook] You’re funny, darl.
2010		L. Redhead Thrill City [ebook] Raunchy, that’s open leg work, darl — hundred and seventy-five.
2018		G. Gilmore Base Nature [ebook] ‘Oh, trust me, darl’.

2. (N.Z.) a lesbian.

2003

McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 59: darl Darling. An affectionate diminutive ANZ mid C20, more recently a lesbian on the street and in prison, presently a term of endearment from girlfriends, gay hairdressers and cafe waiters to women.