Australia in 100 Words

Amanda Laugesen

$32.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

New South Books
01 October 2024

Language: history & general works; linguistics; Australasian & Pacific history; Oral history

Bonzer. Arvo. Tucker. Sickie. Pash. Illywhacker.

There are plenty of words to choose from to tell the story of Australia

from iconic Australianisms like mateship, fair dinkum, and bogan to drop bears, budgie smugglers, and bin chickens.

And while you aren't likely to hear crikey, cobber, or wowser walking down the street, you will hear no worries, mate, and yeah nah. Words underpin myths and stereotypes of Australian identity; they have also obscured harsh realities and inequalities. Together, these words shine a spotlight on our culture, past and present.

Historian and Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre Amanda Laugesen brings us an innovative linguistic history of Australia.

'From drop bears to bin chickens, raw prawns to faceless men, Laugesen has wrangled every telling word in the Australian menagerie. Far more than 100 words, this gathering of Australian language is an eavesdropping of our ongoing conversation.'

David Astle

'A culture and a history unpacked through 100 words and phrases. What a brilliantly conceived and thoroughly engaging book from one of the country's most creative social and cultural historians

who also happens to be its leading scholar of Australian English.'

Frank Bongiorno

'Amanda Laugesen has unlocked Australia's culturally rich wordhoard to track the life-story of 100 unique expressions, and, as a skilled historian and lexicographer, she is just the right person to do this. Words themselves have special storytelling powers, and her selection has many fascinating tales to tell. From the democracy sausage to the halal snack pack, from marngrook to Mabo

Australia in 100 Words is a treasure box for anyone passionate about the history of the language, and a must-read for those interested in the interplay between language, culture and society.'

Kate Burridge

'Language is culture. If you want to understand Australia, you can't afford to miss Amanda Laugesen's '100 Words'

linguistic sly grog for Antipodean etymologists everywhere.'

Chris Wallace

By: Amanda Laugesen
Imprint: New South Books
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 135mm,
ISBN: 9781742237909
ISBN 10: 1742237908
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 October 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Dr Amanda Laugesen is a historian, author, and lexicographer. She is director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre at the ANU and chief editor of the Australian National Dictionary: Australian Words and Their Origins. Amanda has published widely in areas such as the social and cultural history of war, book history, and the history of Australian English. Her most recent book is Rooted: An Australian History of Bad Language (2020).