bush telegraph
noun
any system of communication in which the natives of a jungle or bush region transmit news rapidly, as by runners, drum codes, or smoke signals.
Australian.
- any chain of communications by which criminals, originally bushrangers, are warned of police movements.
- Slang. rumor; the grapevine.
Origin of bush telegraph
First recorded in 1875–80
Words nearby bush telegraph
bush shirt,
bush shrike,
bush sickness,
bush singlet,
bush tea,
bush telegraph,
bush tit,
bush tucker,
bush wren,
bush, george h. w.,
bush, george w.
British Dictionary definitions for bush telegraph
bush telegraph
noun
a means of communication between primitive peoples over large areas, as by drum beats
a means of spreading rumour, gossip, etc