grouse, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

grouse adj.

also grouce

[ety. unknown; ? UK dial. crouse, happy, lively, pleased]

(Aus./N.Z.) wonderful, attractive, excellent, an all-purpose term of approval; also ironic use.

1924		G.H. Lawson Dict. of Aus. Words And Terms 🌐 GROUSE—Something good.
1944		L. Glassop We Were the Rats 5: You know them two grouse sheilas we’ve got the meet on with tomorer night?
1953		T.A.G. Hungerford Riverslake 74: Yeah, that’ll be grouse.
1963–74		B. Humphries Barry McKenzie [comic strip] in Complete Barry McKenzie (1988) 20: We used to have some extra grouse sing songs [...] back in Oz.
1974		J. McNeil How Does Your Garden Grow Act III: Grouse, mate. Grouse!
1983		R. Aven-Bray Ridgey-Didge Oz Jack Lang 14: The tucker was as grouse as it looked. He finished the meal and again took in his surrounds.
1985		R.G. Barrett You Wouldn’t Be Dead for Quids (1989) 63: You sure got a grouse view from out here.
1996		J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers xvii: before Orm Bunter was a regular customer at late and lairy nightclubs like the Roosevelt and Chequers where he paraded some grouse-class charlies.
1999		D. Looser ‘Boob Jargon’ in NZEJ 13 32: grouse adj. Excellent, of high quality, awesome - ‘good shit’.
2004		T. Winton ‘Immunity’ in Turning (2005) 294: Geez, I said. Sounds grouse.
2004		L. Redhead Peepshow [ebook] Honey’s grouse for stripper. Not stuck up or nothing.
2010		L. Redhead Thrill City [ebook] Candy [...] Grouse ta meet ya.

In compounds

grouse gear (n.) [gear n. (1)]

(Aus. teen) a particularly attractive woman.

2000–02

Macquarie Dict. 🌐 grouseadjective 1. very good.

grouse oil (n.)

(Aus.) reliable information, esp. in context of betting .

1996

J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers 101: Uncle Ern - a desperate in his salad days when it came to ‘the grouse oil’ and ‘lay-down misère certainties’.

In phrases

go for the grouse (v.)

(Aus.) to look for whatever is seen as worthwhile.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 508/1: later C.20.