Rooted: An Australian History of Bad Language - Softcover

Amanda Laugesen (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1742236634 ISBN 13: 9781742236636

Publisher: NewSouth Publishing, 2020

Synopsis

Bugger, rooted, bloody oath … What is it about Australians and swearing? We’ve got an international reputation for using bad language (Where the bloody hell are ya?) and letting rip with a choice swear word or two has long been a very Aussie thing to do. From the defiant curses of the convicts and bullock drivers to the humour of Kath and Kim, Amanda Laugesen, director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre, takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of Australia’s bad language to reveal our preoccupations and our concerns. Bad language has been used in all sort of ways in our history: to defy authority, as a form of liberation and subversion, and as a source of humour and creativity. Bad language has also been used to oppress and punish those who have been denied a claim to using it, notably Indigenous Australians and women. It has also long been subject to various forms of censorship. The story of bad language is a story about what it means to be Australian.

About this title

About the Author

Amanda Laugesen is a historian and lexicographer, and is Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre at the ANU. She is the author of a number of books in Australian and US history, including several books on aspects of the history of the Australian lexicon. She is Chief Editor of the Australian National Dictionary, as well as being editor of a range of Australian Oxford dictionaries.

Edition details

• Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1742236634
• ISBN 13: 9781742236636
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304