Dickens’s MP,a Mr Gregsbury,can be found inNicholas Nickleby,first published in 1838.

Dickens describes Gregsbury as “a tough,burly,thick-headed gentleman,with a loud voice,a pompous manner,a tolerable command of sentences with no meaning in them,and,in short,every requisite for a very good member indeed”.

When this Gregsbury is confronted by constituents outraged by his behaviour and calling for his resignation,he resorts to the first defence of the scoundrel:a long and florid exposition of his patriotism.

It impresses no one in the angry crowd.

“The general impression seemed to be,that as an explanation of Mr Gregsbury’s political conduct,it did not enter quite enough into detail;and one gentleman in the rear did not scruple to remark aloud,that,for his purpose,it savoured rather too much of a ‘gammon’ tendency,” wrote Dickens.

Gammon,of course,refers to ham,or pork.

A “gammon tendency”,the vulgar might – and did – say,was to equate with a pig’s arse.

Thorpe left no one in doubt she meant almost precisely this when declaring the Voice was “gammin”.

“And that’s what I think. A powerless voice. We have fought over 200 years against colonisation. The Constitution is an illegal document. It’s illegal.

“The occupation in this country is illegal. You’re following the King.

“And now,poor little black fellas are begging for a seat at the table and all we get is to become advisers with no power.

“Well,I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed. That we’re not standing here for a treaty or for some truth to happen in this country.

“You’re not genuine. ”

Even after covering up,the word gammin could be seen on Thorpe’s T-shirt as she fulminated.

Most of those voting on the legislation enabling a referendum on the Voice,however,were not sufficiently daunted at Thorpe’s accusation of gammin.

The legislation sailed through the Senate,52 votes to 19.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news,views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weeklyInside Politics newsletter here.