Black Stump

noun

, Australian.

an imaginary spot marking the supposed limits of civilization:
beyond the Black Stump.

black stump

the black stump
the black stump an imaginary marker of the extent of civilization (esp in the phrase beyond the black stump )
a long way off

First recorded in 1925–30

Black stump, unfinished wood platform, and blue enamel basin.

Away they started for the big, black stump, girls and boys all together.

Let's have a race, and see who gets to the big black stump first.

So Jacko stayed there by the big, black stump, while the others went on to race again.

Now this black stump was in the middle of the woods, through which the children had to go on their way to and from school.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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