Australian National Dictionary Centre
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ozworders.bsky.social
Australian National Dictionary Centre
@ozworders.bsky.social
The Australian National Dictionary Centre, ANU. For the dinkum oil on Australian English, historical lexicography, Australian Oxford Dictionaries. CRICOS: 00120
We were very pleased to get the news today that the Australian National Dictionary Centre will be saved, thanks to an anonymous donation and the halt on involuntary redundancies under the Renew ANU plan. We thank everyone for their generous support through these difficult times.
September 18, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Congratulations to the Australian National Dictionary Centre's director Amanda Laugesen. Her book 'Australia in 100 Words' has just been shortlisted for the 2025 Prime Minister's Literary Awards (Australian History).
August 12, 2025 at 5:23 AM
The ANU is moving to kill the Australian National Dictionary – this is why it matters
theconversation.com/the-anu-is-m...
The ANU is moving to kill the Australian National Dictionary – this is why it matters
The dictionary is a living, breathing and evolving record of how language is wrapped up in who we are as Australians. It is vital we protect it.
theconversation.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
I can't believe ANU is proposing to disestablish ANDC @ozworders.bsky.social‬. Over the last 20 years of writing I've often consulted staff over the origins of obscure words and phrases. We need the dictionary to record and explain our changing language. www.smh.com.au/national/fro...
From bluey to bogans: Researchers who help define how the nation speaks to lose their jobs
For almost 40 years, the words the nation uses in speech, newspapers and books has been mapped by a small team at the Australian National Dictionary Centre.
www.smh.com.au
July 12, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Australia can’t withstand further humanities cuts. Civil society depends on it.
While universities have the right to determine their education & research priorities, no one in Australia has a handle on the effects of cuts & their impact on our national skills & knowledge capabilities. bit.ly/3TqI4jn
Australia can't withstand further humanities cuts
The Australian Academy of Humanities views with great concern the impact on staff, students and the wider community of the ANU’s plan for the humanities and social sciences. Now is not the time to red...
bit.ly
July 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
"Like all good culture wars, it was imported from the U.S.."

Cracking good yarn by @andrewstafford.bsky.social in @australia.theguardian.com today on a 4 letter word beginning with "F".

Music boffins will love this story a lot!! 🔥👩‍🎤
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
Is the F-word offensive in Queensland? The tiny record shop that faced down a culture war in court – and won
Brisbane’s Rocking Horse Records turns 50 this year – but it should also be celebrated for its role in facing down a ‘nonsense’ culture war that began with undercover cops and the Dead Kennedys
www.theguardian.com
July 9, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
'[T]he proposed closure of long-standing national infrastructure and capabilities—including the Humanities Research Centre, the European Studies Centre, and the Australian National Dictionary Centre...represents the loss of irreplaceable national assets.'

humanities.org.au/news/alarm-o...
AAH raise alarm over ANU cuts & the national capability at risk
ANU restructuring of humanities & social sciences programs warning that the cuts pose a threat to Australia’s sovereign capability
humanities.org.au
July 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM
‘Greenlandisation’, sea ice, permafrost: how polar words explain a changing world
theconversation.com/greenlandisa...
‘Greenlandisation’, sea ice, permafrost: how polar words explain a changing world
The polar regions are cold, remote and off-putting, but there are thousands of polar words in English – and not just words for snow and ice.
theconversation.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Eponymous adjective is real legacy. OED has "Lynchian" back to 1984.
January 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
"Colesworth" refers to the duopoly of Coles & Woolworths in Australia—a shorthand that carries a negative tone, often tied to price gouging and other controversies. Think of it as a linguistic critique of corporate power. #ThatWordChat
January 14, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Ever heard of "colesworth"? #ANDC's 2024 #WordOfTheYear is a uniquely Australian term, blending the names of two supermarket giants: Coles and Woolworths. #ThatWordChat
January 14, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Interestingly, "colesworth" isn't new! It appeared in Australian fiction as early as the 1930s. But its usage surged in 2023, reflecting current frustrations with the supermarket giants. #ThatWordChat
January 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
The Merriam-Webster Word of the Year for 2024 is ‘polarization.’

About half of you might take issue with this.

www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/wor...
2024 Word of the Year: Polarization
Plus 'demure,' 'totality,' 'allision,' and other words that defined the year
www.merriam-webster.com
December 9, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Ha ha. Cool word of the year, Macquarie Dictionary. With, let’s face it, such a rich vein of application. I mean, pretty much the entire reason this here platform exists. Let’s hope, touch Laminex, it doesn’t fall prey. With thanks to @womensagenda.bsky.social.
November 25, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
Curious about the #etymology of "demure"? We all pretty much are, as its a bit obscure. Gotcha covered on my blog: mashedradish.com/2024/08/14/d...
November 25, 2024 at 10:07 PM
Our Word of the Year for 2024 is 'Colesworth': used in reference to the perceived duopoly of Australia's largest supermarket retailers, Coles and Woolworths. For more about our choice, and shortlist: tinyurl.com/yeyn5tkp
November 19, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre
OK, someone had to do it! Here's a starter pack for lexicography. Please send me additions (I tried—I'm sorry if I missed you)! Please share! #linguistics

go.bsky.app/TjzjMVw
November 14, 2024 at 3:54 PM
In light of the announcement of Matilda as our Word of the Year here is the Australian National Dictionary entry. It is sense 5 because it reflects the historical evidence - it is the latest sense of Matilda in Australian English which goes back to the 1880s when it meant a swag.
November 29, 2023 at 1:04 AM