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What is a Rabbitoh?

Travitoh

First Grade
Messages
5,156
I've already gotten an answer but thought it'd be interesting to see if anybody knows
 

DiegoNT

First Grade
Messages
9,378
I've been told 2 different versions, one from my father and one from my grandfather. I believe my grandfather, who grew up in south sydney during the 30s is considered the official version. Be i interesting if our british friend's in here had a clue
 

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
11,609
Aren't we called Rabbitohs because way back just used to stand on the streets selling rabbits? They used to yell "Rabbit, oh!" Those guys played for Souths hence the name.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
 

Travitoh

First Grade
Messages
5,156
I've been told 2 different versions, one from my father and one from my grandfather. I believe my grandfather, who grew up in south sydney during the 30s is considered the official version. Be i interesting if our british friend's in here had a clue

What were they?
 

Curns13

Juniors
Messages
1,325
Pretty sure its because of the Redfern rabbit factory back in early 1900s. Most of the members of our club worked at the factory and were called 'rabbitohs'. Like the Illawarra Steelers, right?
 

Pommy

Coach
Messages
14,657
I've been told 2 different versions, one from my father and one from my grandfather. I believe my grandfather, who grew up in south sydney during the 30s is considered the official version. Be i interesting if our british friend's in here had a clue

The players used to sell rabbits pre match to earn some extra coin Rabbitoh was their cry.
Or so I've always been told.
 

Travitoh

First Grade
Messages
5,156
I'd never really thought about it but just assumed it was a male rabbit or related to breed.

A rabbitoh is a person who sells rabbits as food.
I wasn't aware of the history in relation to Souths, learn something new everyday!
 

alien

Referee
Messages
20,279
A rabbitoh is someone who used to set traps/catch rabbits, skin them, and sell their meat at markets, but I've also been told by someone who used to see them that some walked the streets and yelled out "rabbitoh/rabbito", just like "milko", and those people who wanted to buy the meat would come out of their homes and buy it. I guess a lot of people were poor back then and it was cheap meat.
 

southsport

First Grade
Messages
9,556
I read that it was because some of the players sold rabbits around the streets.

Interesting that I think Souths logo is the only one in the NRL with real history associated with it.
 
Messages
14,479
Rabbit was a cheap meat but very common.

The nickname arose as it was actually a slur from opposition supporters because the players would sell rabbits.

I dont believe we called ourselves Rabbitohs first but adopted it as a badge of honour and an up yours.
 
Messages
14,479
I read that it was because some of the players sold rabbits around the streets.

Interesting that I think Souths logo is the only one in the NRL with real history associated with it.

The bears logo was a supermarket sponsoship which eventually ended but the bears name stuck.
 

typicalfan

Coach
Messages
15,430
The added context is that the Australian Rugby team were called the Rabbits at the time. I think when you add the name Rabbitoh as a breakaway club at the inception of rugby league, I think its easy to understand why they have the name.
 

typicalfan

Coach
Messages
15,430
I dont think so officially but I think the nicknames origins are early on. Thats how the story goes of how I was told.

South Sydney was always a strong community based side, still are so I wouldnt be surprised if it was a nickname originally created by locals
 

sensesmaybenumbed

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
28,828
I read that it was because some of the players sold rabbits around the streets.

Interesting that I think Souths logo is the only one in the NRL with real history associated with it.

Only one with real history? The tiger evolved from the Blackwattle colours around Balmain in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

How about the eels?
 
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southsport

First Grade
Messages
9,556
Rabbit was a cheap meat but very common.

The nickname arose as it was actually a slur from opposition supporters because the players would sell rabbits.

I dont believe we called ourselves Rabbitohs first but adopted it as a badge of honour and an up yours.

That makes sense and is most likely correct.
 

Inkers75

Juniors
Messages
289
As a Rhinos/Souths fan I have found this thread most interesting in learning about the history of the club.

If anyone has a weblink with more info it would be much apprciated.
 

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