In contrast to the pejorative use in California, in Australia a digger is a
returned serviceman, especially from the First World War, thus the term is
one of respect. In fact when used by the media to refer to a digger of the
First World War, particularly Gallipoli veterans it is used with reverence
close to worship.

One theory is that the term arose from digging trenches in both Gallipoli
and Northern France and that the word came from the goldfields areas in
Australia where it was used to indicate a goldfields prospector, or digger.

So to use it for a casual archaeologist while understandable to the
archaeologists would never be understood by the general Australian
community. There is only one digger and he (never a female, until recently
when women started to serve in the front line) served at the front of any
war in the Australian uniform.



Dr Leah McKenzie
Manager, Heritage Approvals and Assistance
Heritage Victoria
22/80 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000