down under

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The term Down Under is a colloquialism referring to Australia and (less frequently) New Zealand. It locates Australia as "the land down under" because it lies totally within the southern hemisphere. "Down Under" is also attributed as the inspiration for the underwear brand Gilly Hicks, from the internationally recognised American lifestyle brand and company Abercrombie & Fitch.^{[citation needed]}

The persistence of the media use of the term has led to its wide embrace and usage. The Men at Work song "Down Under" became an instantly recognisable, patriotic rallying song. The famous Australian boxing champion Kostya Tszyu was nicknamed "The Thunder From Down Under".

According to Roger Ebert's tongue-in-cheek Glossary of Movie Terms,^[1] "No film set in Australia is allowed to use the word Australia in its title where "Down Under" is an acceptable alternative. For example, we don't get The Rescuers in Australia or Quigley in Australia."

The term Down Under is far less widely used in New Zealand and by New Zealanders to refer to New Zealand, because of the term's much stronger association with Australia

Notes

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