subs. phr. (Australian).—A wooden match; POST-AND-RAIL TEA = ill-made tea, with floating stalks and leaves.
1851. The Australasian, 298. Hyson-skin and POST-AND-RAIL TEA have been superseded by Mocha, claret, and cognac.
1852. G. C. MUNDY, Our Antipodes, i., 329. A hot beverage in a tin pot, which richly deserved the colonial epithet of ‘POST AND RAIL’ TEA; it might well have been a decoction of ‘split stuff’ or ‘iron bark shingles,’ for any resemblance it bore to the Chinese plant.
1870. T. H. BRAIM, New Homes, i., 28. The shepherd’s wife kindly gave us the invariable mutton-chop and damper, and some POST-AND-RAIL TEA.
1883. KEIGHLEY GOODCHILD, Who are You? 35, ‘The Old Felt Hat.’
| Fred gave a grin, then took a drink of tea … | |
| Such as the swagmen in our goodly land | |
| Have with some humour named the ‘POST AND RAIL.’ |
