Why is Australia called the 'Land Down Under'?

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conundrum

The term Down Under is a colloquialism referring to all things Australian, which is known as "the land Down Under" for its position in the southern hemisphere. This is because when one looks at a map in the most common way, Antarctica at the 'bottom' of the page, north appears to be "up" and south; "down"

Despite the term's wide usage, it is rarely used by Australians themselves, many of whom regard it with some derision. Nevertheless, Australians are not above using it themselves, as exemplified by Men at Work song "Down Under" which has become a patriotic rallying song. Australia's most famous boxing champion, Kostya Tszyu, was nicknamed as "The Thunder From Down Under".

According to Roger Ebert, "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."

Gumby

Because we're a large land in the southern hemisphere quite close to the bottom so we are down and almost under and also a land.

Elizabeth

Australia is sometimes called the 'Land Down Underâ€™ because it lies in the Southern Hemisphere, under the Equator.

If you look at a globe of the world, we are "the Land Down Under".

wtg_ib

because all the globe's of the world are made upside-down if they were made correctly we would be on-top then Australia would be
---------the land up over--------
which is the correct position

caldust55

On a globe that has the Northern Hemisphere on top, the way globes are usually presented historically, Australia is located entirely on the bottom half of the globe.

molly

Because it is a continent at the bottom of the world but we prefer to call it "The Lucky Country" which we are.

waltzsingmatilda2

Hi, I don't really know,this is a good question.
I will contact the UVNSW tomorrow and see if they can help me,if not I will ask John Howard he will know.
My wife informs me could be something to do with the Kangaroo"s because they dig holes and live under the ground.When shooters go to the bush to shoot the Roos they ask the farmers "have you seen any Kangaroo"s?" and the farmer will answer
"they are down under"

Hope this help Waltz.

fanta

cos we are down under the other countrys

The_Mouse

Ummm..... apart from all the answers everybody else has give you - to use a typical Aussie expression "to state the bloody obvious"... I mean... look at the world map and you should see why it is called "down under"

Rachel

because on a globe and in the world we are "down under"neath and as the person above said "because Men At Work said so LOL"

wigginsray

it's below the equator or because Men at Work said so.

Sir Readalot

Because it is south of the equator. If the first map maker had been in the southern hemisphere, he may have put Antarctica at the "top" of the world, and so we in the northern hemisphere would be "down under." From the vantage point of space, there is no "up" or "down."

angelsilverstar

Because Australia is latin for Southern land. In less formal language this means we are down under everything else

jose-pio a

because, it's at the bottom part of the globe

matty60

next time you look at a map of the world have a look where australia is situated and then use your brains

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