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Dad and Dave

Dad and Dave

9.9
Two comic characters from stories and radio who show rural Australian life
  • proper noun
  • Australian
translation icon : Dad y Dave
  • Many Australians fondly remember listening to Dad and Dave on the radio each week.

Examples

  • The humor in Dad and Dave reflects rural Australian values and lifestyle.

  • A stage play based on Dad and Dave characters attracted large audiences.

  • The stories of Dad and Dave are beloved in Australia.

  • Did you listen to the latest episode of Dad and Dave?

  • Many Australians fondly remember listening to Dad and Dave on the radio each week.

  • A stage play based on Dad and Dave characters attracted large audiences.

  • The humor in Dad and Dave reflects rural Australian values and lifestyle.

Surface Forms

Morphology

dad + and + Dave

This is a fixed proper-name referring to a specific, culturally situated Australian comic duo; the literal parts 'dad' and the name 'Dave' do not convey the meanings 'popular characters' or 'representatives of rural Australian life.' Because the sense is a culture-specific referent rather than a compositional meaning, a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Dad and Dave comes from old Australian stories about a country father (Dad) and his son (Dave) who had funny, everyday problems on their farm. These characters moved to stage plays and a radio show, so the pair became a famous comic duo and a symbol of 'country' Australian life.