Here Are Some Of The Most Australian Phrases That Have Been Added To The National Dictionary

“Bogan”, “ranga”, “goon of fortune” and “welcome to country” are just a handful of the more than 6000 words and phrases that have officially been added to the Australian National Dictionary, in the first substantial update since it was first published in 1988.

The new words include common slang terms and uniquely Australian colloquialisms, along with words from more than 100 Indigenous languages. Also featured in the update are several phrases popularised by the suppository of wisdom himself: former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“Ex-PM Tony Abbott was really fantastic in his use of language,” Oxford University Press managing director Peter van Noorden told the ABC. Noorden cited “captain’s pick”, “shirtfront” and “budgie smuggler” as terms our one-time fearless leader helped introduce, or re-introduce, into Australian popular consciousness.

Other gems from the world of politics to make the final cut include “Howard’s battlers”, “negative gearing”, “tent embassy” and “two-party preferred”.

Indigenous words such as “bunji” (a mate) and “akudjura” (a bush tomato) have also been included, as have expressions like “Invasion Day”.

Famous foodstuffs featured heavily, from “boston bun” to “fairy bread” to “chocolate crackle” to “snag”.

Likewise terms for people, including “checkout chick”, “houso”, “tradie” and “chardonnay socialist”.

Also recorded for posterity are quintessential turns of phrase, such as “keep the bastards honest”, “straight to the pool room”, and “dry as a dead dingo’s donger”.

Beautiful language, ain’t it?

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Feature image via Australian National Dictionary