In Australian, New Zealand, and Falkland Islands English, a smoko (also "smoke-o" or "smoke-oh") is a short, often informal break taken during work or military duty, although any short break such as a rest or a coffee or tea break can be called a smoko. Among sheep shearers in Australia, the smoko is a mid-morning break, between breakfast and lunch, in which a light meal may be eaten.[1]
There is a town in Victoria, Australia called Smoko, which "gained its name in 1865 because gold seekers regularly stopped here for a smoke and a rest on their way to and from the goldfields".[2]
The term is believed to have originated in the British Merchant Navy,[3] and was in use as early as 1857.[4] The term is still in use in the British Merchant Navy today. The tradition of a smoko in the Australian sense seems to have begun amongst sheep shearers in the 1860s.[5]
Although a slang term, the word "smoko" has been used in government writing and industrial relations reports to mean a short work break.[6] The term achieved broader awareness in the United States and United Kingdom following the popularity of the song "Smoko" by Australian band The Chats.[7]