Australian A-Z (2)
13 September, 2016
Two weeks back I wheeled out the quirkier entries from the Australian National Dictionary, which gets its free Melbourne launch tonight. (I'm hunching the gig is booked out, but you can always try here.)
Anyhow, we kneaded a dozen Oz words, from AMPSTER to GONCE. A bonza Storm in anyone's vernacular. So now to fanfare the launch, we get our chance to mangle the alphabet's second half, all terms drawn from the same handsome tome. Carn - take a crack, digger.
GUMLEAF MAFIA - Australian actors in Hollywood
HOOSHTER - a camel driver (after the common Afghan call)
KOALA STAMP - merit award
LOLA MONTEZ - rum cocktail, named after a notable stripper
MULLENISE - to clear scrub (after Charles Mullen, a Gawler farmer)
NIGEL NO MATES - loner
OOGLIE - undesirable fish (corruption of ugly)
PACIFIC PESO - Australian dollar, as stigmatised by Paul Keating
PATIO INTELLECTUAL - pseudo-academic or general blowhard
SHINDYKIT - business consortium (alteration of syndicate)
SPEEWAH - imaginary station of many tall tales
YANKEE START - unfair advantage
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