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Dinkum Dictionary Notes

24 July, 2015

Just finished reading The Dinkum Dictionary by Susan Butler (2003), filling the crossword silo with new Aussie fodder. In the course of word-gleaning, and column-musing, I came across several curios worth celebrating as conundrums. 

So treat your Friday folly as more a Friday tease. See if you can solve any of these ten Down-Under dilemmas, sharing hints or issuing pleas in the Comments:

1. What well-known tree derives from the Dharug word for fishing line?

2. What iconic native tree stems from Greek for thorn?

3. What native bird owes its name to a Sydney suburb?

4. What other bird gets its name from a meat request, soundwise?

5. What salutation arises from the Dharawal phrase 'may you travel well'?

6. What familiar piece of war slang extends 'sou' - the French coin of least value?

7. What Yolngu word failed to catch on during the 1980s, despite active campaigns to promote the concept?

8. What hair-loss product also means to compete in an Oz-born sport?

9. What lewd term for part of the anatomy derives from an Australian company?

10. What links the Sahara Desert, East Timor, the Avon river and a dillybag?

Share your hints, answers or beseechings below.

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Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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