The Lingo Dictionary : Of Favourite Australian Words and Phrases

If you've ever wondered why your girlfriend's a 'Sheila' even though her name is Kate, or why your friend in the outer suburbs of Sydney is said to live 'beyond the black stump', then this is the book for you! Throwing light on all the quirky, intriguing and downright bizarre words and phrases that make up 'Australian English', this entertaining dictionary of slang belongs on everyone's bookshelf. If you're an Australian, you'll be fascinated to find out how some of the sayings came to be; and if you're a visitor you'll find it an invaluable resource for understanding what people are actually talking about! Visitors to New Zealand are frequently surprised – and puzzled – by words and phrases in our language that we take for granted. Not only do we have our own accent, but we also have a rich vocabulary that is distinctive and individual. ‘The Godzone Dictionary'is a concise A – Z of the words and phrases that make our New Zealand language and speech patterns so different. Language expert Max Cryer examines a wide range of words and phrases, shedding light on their origins and offering helpful definitions. Slang words and expressions feature heavily, while one of the unique features of this book is the large number of Maori words that have become part of our common language in recent years. The listing also includes the popular names of our sports teams (so often confused!) and an appendix of common New Zealand acronyms completes the book. From Rotovegas to the Naki, both Kiwis (or should that be Pig Islanders?) and visitors to our shores will find the lingo of Godzone explained simply and accurately. Never stuffy or academic, Max Cryer brings his expert knowledge and dry wit to a book that is sure to be a reference for many years to come. ‘Sweet as!'Max Cryer is a well-known writer, broadcaster and entertainer. In a long career, he has been a schoolteacher, a compere and television host, as well as a performer on the opera stage in London and in cabaret in Las Vegas and Hollywood. Now a full-time writer he has written many books, including ‘Who Said That First?', ‘Love Me Tender', ‘Preposterous Proverbs'and ‘Curious English Words and Phrases'. If you've ever wondered why your girlfriend's a ‘Sheila'even though her name is Kate, or why your friend in the outer suburbs of Sydney is said to live ‘beyond the black stump', then this is the book for you! Throwing light on all the quirky, intriguing and downright bizarre words and phrases that make up ‘Australian English', this entertaining dictionary of slang belongs on everyone's bookshelf. If you're an Australian, you'll be fascinated to find out how some of the sayings came to be; and if you're a visitor you'll find it an invaluable resource for understanding what people are actually talking about! John Miller has been a journalist in regional New South Wales for almost 30 years and is passionate about Australia's history and heritage. He has written a number of local history books and assisted other historians and authors with their publications. As well as making extensive use of written references to compile ‘The Lingo Dictionary', John interviewed Australians from all walks of life — from outback characters to schoolkids — to ensure he captured every nuance of Australia's unique language as it's spoken today. The Godzone Dictionary is a concise A - Z of the words and phrases that make our New Zealand language and speech patterns so distinctive and individual, from Aotearoa and Avondale spiders to Zambuck and Zespri. Slang words and expressions feature heavily, while one of the unique features of this book is the large number of Maori words that have become part of our common language in recent years. The listing also includes the popular names of our sports teams (so often confused!) and an appendix of common New Zealand acronyms. From Rotovegas to the Naki, Pig Islanders everywhere - not to mention tourists - will find Godzone explained as never before. Never stuffy or academic, Max Cryer brings his expert knowledge and sly wit to a book that is sure to be a reference for many years to come. Sweet as! The Godzone Dictionary is a concise A - Z of the words and phrases that make our New Zealand language and speech patterns so different. Max Cryer examines a wide range of words and phrases, shedding light in their origins and offering definitions. Slang words and expressions feature heavily, Maori words that have become part of our common language, popular names of sports teams and an appendix of popular New Zealand acronyms are included The Godzone Dictionary is a concise A - Z of the words and phrases that make our New Zealand language and speech patterns so different. Language expert Max Cryer examines a wide range of words and phrases, shedding light on their origins and offering helpful definitions "This book contains a list of the words and phrases that make Australian English so distinctive, together with explanations of meaning and origin."--Provided by publisher