Macquarie Dictionary Blog: Archives
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Not Happy Jan
Dec 08, 2011 | 0 Comments
This week Susan Butler and Robbie Buck @702sydeny (ABC Evening Show) talked about the popularity of Movember and invited their audience to create sponsorship names based on months of the year. Read more...
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The internet – to capitalise or not to capitalise?
Nov 11, 2011 | 0 Comments
We have recently received a query about the spelling of the internet with a lower case i from someone who feels strongly that the capitalised form should be used. Read more...
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What is the meaning of 'peruse'?
Oct 31, 2011 | 1 Comment
When you peruse something, does it mean that you have read something very quickly? Or that you have read it very thoroughly? Read more...
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Why is the word 'youse' included in the dictionary?
Sep 22, 2011 | 2 Comments
Why is the word youse included in the dictionary? The dictionary is a complete record of Australian English that encompasses all aspects of the variety. We have the formal words, the informal words, the taboo words, the derogatory words and the non-standard words. Read more...
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Origin of the word 'vegetarian'
Sep 12, 2011 | 0 Comments
Most dictionaries agree that the word comes from vegetable, used either as a noun or an adjective. Read more...
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The difference between practice & practise
Aug 23, 2011 | 2 Comments
Two of the most commonly searched words in the dictionary are 'practice' and 'practise'. So what is the difference between these words? Read more...
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to the bitter end
Aug 10, 2011 | 0 Comments
Last night Susan Butler chatted with Robbie Buck on ABC 702 Sydney about the way we make up origins for words and phrases. Read more...
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The difference between effect & affect
Jul 20, 2011 | 0 Comments
Two of the most commonly searched words in the dictionary are 'affect' and 'effect'. So what is the difference between these words? Read more...
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A storm in a teacup over a comma
Jul 05, 2011 | 1 Comment
Oxford University turned its back on the Oxford comma - or so it was reported. Read more...
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Is your use of 'apropos' apropos?
Jun 21, 2011 | 0 Comments
The starting point is the French phrase à propos meaning 'to the purpose'. Read more...
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What do you say -- pronounciation or pronunciation?
May 24, 2011 | 0 Comments
Recently there was a discussion on JJJ about prounounciation and pronunciation -- which was correct way to say the word. Read more...
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Hijack & Highjack
May 11, 2011 | 0 Comments
We recently received a query about the word hijack from a dictionary user who noticed that there are headwords for two spellings -- highjack with hijack -- and wanted to know where the former spelling comes from. Read more...