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  • Spelling matters: PDF vs pdf

    Dec 15, 2010 | 0 Comments

    Recently the editor received a query about the term PDF vs pdf. Read more...


  • Words of the Year Around the World

    Nov 17, 2010 | 0 Comments

    Macquarie Word of the Year Coming Soon!

    As the year draws to a close wordsmiths around the world are considering their options for Word of the Year, although the rules for selection vary. Read more....


  • Dogalogues and Frogalogues

    Nov 11, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    Susan Butler joined Robbie Buck Tuesday night on ABC 702 Sydney. Here's what they discussed: Read more...


  • What are Explanatory Notes (and why are they important?)

    Nov 08, 2010 | 0 Comments

    Learn how to decode an entry

    When you need to know something about a word, then the situation is usually critical.The Explanatory Notes can help you to decode an entry. Read more...


  • A brick short of a load

    Nov 04, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    ABC listeners to Robbie Buck contributed these expressions at the request of Susan Butler, the Editor, who asked for phrases along the lines of 'a brick short of a load' to describe someone who is a bit dimwitted: Read more...


  • The exciting 'new paradigm' parliament

    Oct 07, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    The exciting 'new paradigm' parliament has led to queries about the history of this expression. Read more...


  • Invented words: 'Twas brillig and the slithy toves...'

    Sep 29, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    Last night, Susan Butler joined Robbie Buck on ABC702 to discuss matters of new words, and the difficulties faced upon trying to get invented words recognised and used as part of the language. Read more...


  • Parsnips and turnips

    Sep 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    In the kitchen this weekend I wondered what the significance was of the -nip in parsnip and turnip. Read more...


  • maroon, marone

    Sep 08, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    A correspondent to the dictionary has suggested that 'maroon' (pronounced to rhyme with 'drone, phone') for a member of the Queensland Rugby League football team should be respelled 'marone'. Read more...


  • Word Matters with Les Murray

    Jul 26, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    Les Murray is an honorary doctor six times over and a visiting professor at the University of Sydney, attached to the Macquarie Dictionary. Read more...


  • Spelling matters: 'can not' or 'cannot'

    Jun 30, 2010 | 0 Comments

    What is  the difference between can not and cannotRead more...

     


  • whingers, wowsers and dobbers

    Jun 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

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    Often the words that have the greatest significance for us are negative -- we all dislike people who are whingers, wowsers and dobbers. Is this because the strongest lessons we learn in childhood are what we are NOT supposed to do? Read more...