Australia in 100 Words

Bonzer. Arvo. Tucker. Sickie. Pash. Illywhacker.

There are plenty of words to choose from to tell the story of Australia - from iconic Australianisms like mateship, fair dinkum, and bogan to drop bears, budgie smugglers, and bin chickens.

And while you aren’t likely to hear crikey, cobber, or wowser walking down the street, you will hear no worries, mate, and yeah nah. Words underpin myths and stereotypes of Australian identity; they have also obscured harsh realities and inequalities. Together, these words shine a spotlight on our culture, past and present. Historian and Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre Amanda Laugesen brings us an innovative linguistic history of Australia.

’From drop bears to bin chickens, raw prawns to faceless men, Laugesen has wrangled every telling word in the Australian menagerie. Far more than 100 words, this gathering of Australian language is an eavesdropping of our ongoing conversation.’ - David Astle

’A culture and a history unpacked through 100 words and phrases. What a brilliantly conceived and thoroughly engaging book from one of the country’s most creative social and cultural historians - who also happens to be its leading scholar of Australian English.’ - Frank Bongiorno.

Lexicographer. She is currently the director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANU) and Chief Editor of The Australian National Dictionary. Amanda has published widely in areas such as the social and cultural history of war, book history, and the history of Australian English.