Macquarie Dictionary Blog: Archives
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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...
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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....
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Dogalogues and Frogalogues
Nov 11, 2010 | 0 Comments
Susan Butler joined Robbie Buck Tuesday night on ABC 702 Sydney. Here's what they discussed: Read more...
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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...
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A brick short of a load
Nov 04, 2010 | 0 Comments
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...
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The exciting 'new paradigm' parliament
Oct 07, 2010 | 0 Comments
The exciting 'new paradigm' parliament has led to queries about the history of this expression. Read more...
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Invented words: 'Twas brillig and the slithy toves...'
Sep 29, 2010 | 0 Comments
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...
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Parsnips and turnips
Sep 21, 2010 | 0 Comments
In the kitchen this weekend I wondered what the significance was of the -nip in parsnip and turnip. Read more...
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maroon, marone
Sep 08, 2010 | 0 Comments
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...
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Word Matters with Les Murray
Jul 26, 2010 | 0 Comments
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...
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Spelling matters: 'can not' or 'cannot'
Jun 30, 2010 | 0 Comments
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whingers, wowsers and dobbers
Jun 21, 2010 | 0 Comments
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...