bonzern.adj.adv.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps an extended use of boncer ‘large marble’, itself probably a variant of bouncer n. (compare sense 4 at that entry, and also bonce n. 1a), or perhaps an arbitrary formation (compare boomer n.², bottler n.², bottler adj., bosker adj., and also snodger adj. and dodger adj.).For the early use of boncer in sense ‘large marble’ in Britain as well as New Zealand, compare:1881 Poverty Bay (N.Z.) Herald 29 Mar. Away he runs to the Post Office, draws out his stamp money, and goes in for ‘alleytores’, ‘stoneys’, and ‘bonsers’.1883 W. H. Cope Gloss. Hampshire Words Boncer, a taw or stone used to strike marbles from a ring.The following early uses of Bonser in the context of horse racing, perhaps referring to the name of a horse owner, are perhaps connected with quot. 1893 at sense A. 1, also from a horse racing context:1893 Otago Witness (Dunedin, N.Z.) 3 Aug. 30/3 The Sister Agnes filly is a real ‘Bonser’—a chestnut with a blaze and near white hind fetlock; but what power.1893 N.Z. Mail 15 Sept. 25/5 Last week I had the griffen [i.e. tip] That The Bonser was a stiff 'un..; But The Bonser, bless your heart! Kept 'em jigging from the start. He paid a tearing divvy, and won by half a chain.