Green’s Dictionary of Slang

on the Johnnie Russell phr.

[rhy. sl. = hustle v. (4); for subject see Lord John Russell n.]

(Aus./NSW, Qld) to struggle, battle v. (1)

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[Aus]‘6x8’ [Dick Holt] in Bulletin (Sydney) 7 Aug. red page/4: Battling - i.e., struggling - ‘On the Johnnie Russel [sic].’ A city term, quite new in the bush. Used in Q. and N.S.W. towns - mainly by public-house loafers.