English

Noun

ducks on the pond

1. (Australia) A coded warning used by men to alert each other that female guests ("ducks") are present ("on the pond"), so that for politeness they should moderate their language.
   • 1982, Patsy Adam-Smith, The Shearers, Thomas Nelson Australia, ISBN 0-17-005884-0, page 245.

     Usually the wool presser calls first, because most visitors to a shed come through the wool room. ‘Ducks on the Pond!’ he calls, and the warning is taken up again down along the shearing board.

2. (baseball) Members of a batting order who are on base; baserunners.

   There are two ducks on the pond for the cleanup hitter.

Synonyms

• (coded warning): ducks have landed, feathers flying, they're on the pond

References

1. ↑ Australian National Dictionary Centre » Australian words » Meanings and origins of Australian words and idioms » D