Can we credit an Irish policeman with this word?
Read More
I will happily accept Irish origins for Australianisms but there needs to be some evidence.
Read More
When an Aussie shouts you a beer, he never raises his voice.
Read More
We seem to have taken on the idea that our speech is slovenly and will go out of way to prove it.
Read More
‘I want to express my gratefulness’ she said, and then paused. ‘Is that a real word?
Read More
The Macquarie Dictionary has struggled with relationships over the years. Who would have thought the definition of family could be so complicated!
Read More
Combining work and play means going to the Royal Easter Show and feeling virtuous about working at the same time.
Read More
Another example of etymology folklore. I listened to someone explaining that they loved the word grouse meaning ‘excellent’ which was interesting because I thought it might have been on the way out.
Read More
Recently I visited an exhibition on the Gadigal people. I read from the curator’s text that gadi was the name of the grass tree, an important totem for the people who lived near Sydney Harbour.
Read More