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tax


to steal from somebody: He taxed my ruler!

Contributor's comments: Also used in Northern NSW, at least Taree north.

Contributor's comments: This usage of the word 'tax'--confined wholely to Tasmania according to your map--intrigues me for two reasons. Firstly, I have been a teacher for nearly ten years and worked in a variety of high schools and colleges across Northern Tassie, and in some of them theft was not an uncommon ocurrence--yet never once have I heard this word used to describe it. Secondly, I HAVE heard school students use the word 'tax' in the sense of to steal--but in Queensland, where I taught in a couple of schools (Maroochydore State High and Bowen State High) in 2000. So, at the very least, your map should perhaps be updated to indicate that usage of this word in this sense has spread beyond the fair shores of the Island State.

Contributor's comments: For over 7 years I have recalled the word "taxed" being used in Perth by a vast range of youth to describe having something taken from them and have it "taxed".

Contributor's comments: Is also used in the Perth region to indicate that someone owes a share of what they've just bought (usually in regards to a food) to a person or group of people, even if they didn't contribute to the purchase. For example, if someone were to bring a bucket of hot chips or packet of M&M's into a room, other people may claim a 'chip tax' or 'M&M tax' of a couple of chips or a few M&M's. It's impolite to take more than a couple of whatever's on offer.