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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · 20d

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.

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Aug 12

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).

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Aug 8

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Libby Robin @libbydeq.bsky.social · Aug 1

www.australianbookreview.com.au/abr-online/c... It's only words, but words are all we've got... #SaveOurDictionary @ouranu.bsky.social

‘The story of our language is the story of us: Will the Australian National Dictionary Centre go bung?’ by Amanda Laugesen and Frank Bongiorno

The proposed abolition of the Australian National Dictionary Centre represents a significant retreat from the Australian National University’s long-standing commitment to supporting a national public ...

www.australianbookreview.com.au

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Jul 16

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Australian National Dictionary Centre could be shut down

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

www.abc.net.au

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Kristen Alexander @kristenauthor.bsky.social · Jul 12

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Australian Academy of the Humanities @humanitiesau.bsky.social · Jul 9

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Kate Doak @thedeadlynewt.com · Jul 9

"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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

David McInnis @dnmcinnis.bsky.social · Jul 9

'[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

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thanks Tom. Appreciate the share. Will add the evidence to our database.

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Jun 30

Tricky one to pin down. We've collected evidence so far from mid-2021. There's several predicative senses of 'cooked' in the OED meaning 'extremely tired; exhausted; ruined; finished; .. intoxicated by alcohol, drugs' that might be related. Qanon followers are often known as 'bakers' but ..

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · May 18

‘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

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Mar 25

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

How Australia developed its own vernaculuar - ABC listen

Historian and Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre Amanda Laugesen has chronicled the linguistic history of Australia, in 100 words. Guest: Amanda Laugesen, lexicographer, ANU Produce...

www.abc.net.au

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

John Kelly @mashedradish.bsky.social · Jan 16

Eponymous adjective is real legacy. OED has "Lynchian" back to 1984.

Screenshot of the entry for "Lynchian" in the Oxford English Dictionary.

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Jan 14

I forgot about 'Kwaussie' back in 2017: a Kiwi living in Aussie; NZ & Oz dual citizen; person of Aussie and Kiwi descent.

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

That Word Chat @thatwordchat.bsky.social · Jan 14

"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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

That Word Chat @thatwordchat.bsky.social · Jan 14

Ever heard of "colesworth"? #ANDC's 2024 #WordOfTheYear is a uniquely Australian term, blending the names of two supermarket giants: Coles and Woolworths. #ThatWordChat

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

That Word Chat @thatwordchat.bsky.social · Jan 14

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · Dec 9

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Louise Milligan @milliganreports.bsky.social · Nov 25

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.

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

John Kelly @mashedradish.bsky.social · Nov 25

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...

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Nov 20

Yes, we've certainly been talking about Ross Campbell's use of the term in the 1950s and 60s (still the earliest evidence we have). One of the interesting aspects of the word's history is the shift from humorous use to negative use. Our historical dictionary entry will illustrate this evolution.

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Nov 20

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

And the word of the year is… ‘Colesworth’ (derogatory) | First Dog on the Moon

Why does everyone blame supermarkets for the cost of living? Because it is their fault!

www.theguardian.com

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Australian National Dictionary Centre @ozworders.bsky.social · Nov 19

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

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Reposted by Australian National Dictionary Centre

Jesse Sheidlower @jessesword.com · Nov 14

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

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