Today a book that competes directly with the other book on Aussie slang that I reviewed three days ago.
But having mentioned one, it seems unfair not to mention the other!
The Aussie Slang Dictionary is published by Australian Geographic.
The first edition was filled with short definitions of most of the current Aussie slang terms written by Frank Povah who for many years wrote the Dinkum Lingo column for the Australian Geographic magazine.
The second edition had all of Frank’s observations on our colourful language, plus a whole slew of longer, chattier explanations of what lies behind out language written by Kel Richards—these came from my Oz Words columns written for the same magazine.
It’s a well-designed little hardcover—and is filled with black and white illustrations throughout (mostly from classic old photos showing Australia how it once was).
Frank Povah had a great ear for the Australian language and it shows in the words he picks up and records:
‘shellacking’ (comprehensive defeat, whitewash); ‘cowboy’ (not the American version—but in Australia a slapdash, gerry-builder, an incompetent or unqualified tradie); ‘cop it sweet’ (accept one’s fate); ‘pony’ (smallest glass of beer); ‘lair’ (show-off, an ostentatious person); ‘lippie’ (lipstick); ‘dob in’ (tell tales, inform on someone); and hundreds more.
While in my ‘Oz Words’ pages I explain the (sometimes complex) history of words such as:
‘didgeridoo’ (is it really an Aboriginal word?); ‘shirt fronting’ (from AFL to Tony Abbot); ‘lucky country’ (Donald Horne’s ironic name that the rest of us took seriously); ‘cask wine’ (and the many different regional nicknames for it); ‘yakka’ (which has meant hard work since 1888); ‘Yarra’ (the only river in the world that flows upside down); and dozens of others.
In fact, this little book is packed with so much about the language and character of Australia I think it’s great fun.
You can buy this one online from Australian Geographic and here's the link: The Aussie Slang Dictionary — Australian Geographic
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BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
