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  • By saying 'Negro', Eric Abetz has revealed the complications of taboos

    Oct 25, 2015 | 0 Comments

    Susan Butler writes for The Drum (LANGUAGE WARNING)

    The lessons about which words are taboo have not been universally imparted. So when Senator Eric Abetz said "Negro", he was probably as surprised by the reaction as some people were by his choice of words, writes Susan Butler


  • Thunderstruck by THAT word on Four Corners?

    Oct 21, 2015 | 1 Comment

    Susan Butler chats with ABC radio (LANGUAGE WARNING)

    ABC Radio's Michael Brissenden chats with Susan Butler about that word that went to air, without being bleeped out, on Four Corners earlier this week. Read more ...


  • NSW Premier's Spelling Bee Challenge

    Oct 20, 2015 | 0 Comments

    Macquarie Dictionary is a proud sponsor and the official word list supplier of the Premier's Spelling Bee.  The 2015 State Finals of the Premier's Spelling Bee will be held on Wednesday 11 November. Last year's winners were Grace Du (Junior division), who was the runner-up in the The Great Australi ...


  • What a rort!

    Oct 15, 2015 | 0 Comments

    Unparliamentary language

    I was asked to comment on the declaration by the Speaker in the Victorian Legislative Assembly that the word rort (and all its derived forms) was to be considered unparliamentary language. Read more...


  • Rhyming slang

    Oct 09, 2015 | 1 Comment

    Rhyming slang, contrary to popular belief, was never a big part of the Cockney way of speaking. It was made to seem that way by the entertainment industry who created such characters as Alf Garnett and Arthur Daley whose habit of rhyming slang was part of their stage make-up. Read more...