The sun-scorched continent at the bottom of the world has spent two centuries cooking up a vernacular so distinctly its own that even native English speakers find themselves stranded in a thicket of bewildering expressions. What on earth is a "drongo"? Why would anyone be "flat out like a lizard drinking"? And should you be flattered or offended when someone calls you a "larrikin"?

If you've ever found yourself nodding politely while an Australian speaks, understanding approximately forty percent of what's being said, this book was written expressly for you.

Australian slang is not merely colourful decoration — it is the soul of an entire culture.

Born of convict ships and goldfields, of drought and flood, of the irreverent bush spirit that refuses to take anything — especially authority — too seriously, Australian English is one of the most expressive and richly layered dialects on earth. Its humour is laconic, its metaphors are gloriously absurd, and its warmth is unmistakable once you know how to hear it. To truly understand Australians, you must understand how they speak. And to understand how they speak, you need this dictionary.

Now in its thoroughly revised and expanded Fourth Edition, Australian Slang: A Dictionary is the definitive guide to the words, phrases, rhyming slang, colloquialisms and outright creative insults that make Australian English the endlessly entertaining linguistic phenomenon it is. Compiled by David Tuffley — a fourth-generation Australian whose roots stretch back to the colonial era — the dictionary draws on a lifetime of immersion in the language. Tuffley doesn't merely list terms; he illuminates them, tracing the historical threads that connect a word's origins to its living use, revealing in the process something profound about the Australian character itself.

Imagine arriving in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and actually understanding what people are saying to you.

Picture yourself holding your own in conversation, tossing back a well-timed "no worries" or "she'll be right" at precisely the right moment, watching an Australian's face light up with the recognition that here is someone who gets it. Whether you're a traveller preparing for a trip Down Under, an expat navigating daily life in Australia, a linguistics enthusiast, or simply someone who finds language and culture endlessly fascinating, this dictionary delivers genuine understanding — and genuine entertainment.

From the A-to-Z lexicon of everyday terms to illuminating essays on the origins of the Australian accent, the influence of cockney rhyming slang, and the egalitarian bush spirit that shaped a national character, this is far more than a reference book. It is an affectionate, witty, deeply informed portrait of a nation through the prism of its language.

About the Author

David Tuffley is a fourth generation Australian. That makes him a “Dinki di Aussie”. His Great Grandfather Henry Tuffley left the Leicestershire village of Hoby in the 1860's, to travel to far-off Australia on a dangerous sea voyage lasting several months. He eventually settled in Cooktown in Far North Queensland where he became a gold miner and somehow managed to live to a ripe old age. David grew up on Brisbane’s Southside in the working class suburb of Cannon Hill. As a child in the 1960’s, he listened to the colourful speech of the old soldiers who had returned from World War II and the older soldiers who had served in WWI. Also listening to the stalwart wives and mothers who were the real glue of that society regardless of how irascible their men were. These men and women, now mostly gone, were the real repositories of Aussie Slang.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We are a small family book store, Real people working hard to become a large family book store. We treat you like a real person and are always here to help you out! PLease email us if you have any questions. We are working hard to send out our shipments to you!

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Barnes & Nooyen Books
20915 Auburn Ridge ln, Spring, TX, 77379, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.

Right of cancellation

If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION

Statutory Right to cancel

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, Barnes & Nooyen Books, 20915 Auburn Ridge ln, 77379, Spring, Texas, U.S.A., 1 281-702-5616, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Effects of cancellation

If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or Barnes & Nooyen Books, 20915 Auburn Ridge ln, 77379, Spring, Texas, U.S.A., 1 281-702-5616, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of cancellation

The right of cancellation does not apply to:

the delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
the supply of digital content (including ebooks) which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not cancel it once delivery had started.

Model withdrawal form

(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)

To: (Barnes & Nooyen Books, 20915 Auburn Ridge ln, 77379, Spring, Texas, U.S.A., 1 281-702-5616)

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),

Ordered on (*)/received on (*)

Name of consumer(s)

Address of consumer(s)

Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)

Date

* Delete as appropriate.

Shipping Terms

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	4 to 7 business days	3 to 5 business days
First item	� 0.00	� 8.25

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.