If you are going on a Larry Emdur (bender) make sure you don’t have a Barry Crocker (shocker)

Larry Emdur will be remembered long after his Gold Logie is forgotten because his name is now immortalised in the unofficial Aussie dictionary.

The Morning Show presenter Larry Emdur will be remembered long after his Gold Logie is forgotten because his name is now immortalised in the unofficial dictionary of Aussie slang.

In his thank you speech he said his children Jye and Tia “love” that his name is rhyming slang. “If you’re going on a bender, you’re, ‘Going on a Larry Emdur’.”

Sky contributor and word wizard Kel Richards said many people who inspired rhyming slang are still used in the language today long after they have been forgotten.

“People still say someone is taking the Mickey,” he said. “But they don’t know that you are taking the Mickey Bliss which rhymes with taking the p***. Mickey Bliss was a pub landlord.”

Rhyming slang was brought to Australia by Cockney convicts who used it as a secret language only saying the first non rhyming word in any phrase. Thus heading up the apples means going up the apples and pears, stairs.

Gold Logie winner, Larry Emdur has been immortalised in the unofficial dictionary of Aussie slang. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“There are modern interpretations,” Mr Richards said. “A colleague told me he was going home to have a bit of Posh with his wife. That’s Posh and Becks - sex.”

Professor Kate Burridge from Monash University said Emdur’s use of his name in rhyming slang could introduce a new generation to playing with the language.

“Celebrity endorsement can spark a response and introduce people to language,” she said. “Most people still know that complaining about a Barry Crocker means they are having a shocker.”

Of course Emdur did not say if those joining him on his Larry would be the recipients of his Wally Grout – shout. That could have seen him get his Reg Grundies – undies – in a knot.

Prof Burridge said she hoped Emdur’s use of Jack Lang – slang – in his Logie’s speech would encourage more young people to have a Captain Cook – look – at it. She said that could be enough to keep rhyming slang out of froth and bubble – trouble – and ensure it is apples – apples and spice, nice – in future.

Originally published as If you are going on a Larry Emdur (bender) make sure you don’t have a Barry Crocker (shocker)