Word For Word

In this, the final episode of season 6, we join the Word of the Year Committee to discuss which word was crowned the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year 2021, the selection process and other words from the short list. Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  You can also explore the 'additional links' and definitions below to learn more about our favourite animal phrases. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode of Word for Word, Melissa Kemble and Alison Moore interview Professor Rachel Nordlinger and Associate Professor Nick Thieberger, two linguists from the University of Melbourne about the 50 Words Project, which aims to provide a selection of 50 words in every Indigenous language of Australia.  Visit their website at 50words.online Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  You can also explore the 'additional links' and definitions below to learn more about our favourite animal phrases. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this special expletive-laden episode of Word for Word, Melissa Kemble interviews linguist and academic Kate Burridge from Monash University about swearing. Warning, this episode contains A LOT of bad language. Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode of Word for Word, we discuss the new words that have caught our attention over the past few months. Consider this a sneak peek of the words that might appear on the Macquarie Word of the Year list shortlist! Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  You can also explore the 'additional links' and definitions below to learn more about our favourite animal phrases. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this, the first episode of the new season of Word for Word, the Macquarie team discuss some of the funniest (and rudest) Aussie animal slang. Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  You can also explore the 'additional links' and definitions below to learn more about our favourite animal phrases. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast  

In this episode of Word for Word, we are joined by Tiger Webb from the ABC to chat about the inaugural Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Decade. Find our which words have had staying power and which have fallen out of use.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode of Word for Word, we are joined by members of the Word of the Year Committee to discuss which word was crowned the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year, the selection process and other words from the shortlist Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode of our special "in-iso" season, we chat about new words on the team's radar. Our editors discuss the Karen phenomenon and Beyoncé, while Chief Editor Alison Moore explains dictionary headwords and how two words can win Word of the Year. This is a Covid free episode. If you are interested in new words arising from the pandemic, check out episode #35 A Pandemic of new words.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

Language around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve. In this episode of our special "in-iso" season, the team chat about some of the new words that have come into usage as a result of life in the times of COVID.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast  

In this special “iso edition” episode, we take a small detour from talking about the virus to chat with Chief Editor Alison Moore about one of her favourite things — pronunciation.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast  

In this special “iso edition” episode, we chat about some of the many new words that have emerged from the global pandemic of COVID-19. One of the most common ways new words are made is by word mashups, or portmanteau words. The massive societal change brought about by coronavirus has resulted in many new words cropping up — from quarantini to covidiot and beyond. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this new episode of a special "in iso" edition of the podcast, Senior Editor Vic Morgan shares some of the different names we use for the virus—from COVID-19 to the Rona. Plus, she clears up the confusion between the meaning of epidemic and pandemic. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

From catfishing and FOMO, to the rise of the ‘influencer’, the internet is a rich source for ever-evolving slang words and expressions. In this special bonus episode, we look at popular internet terms, abbreviations and acronyms that have made their way into colloquial language. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode we are talking about all things wine! From the origins of slang and regionalisms to varietals and naming, as well as the many words used to describe the aromatics and taste of wines. Plus, the team does some investigative work and puts their noses, palates and vocabulary  to the test in a blind tasting. And it wouldn’t be a Macquarie Dictionary podcast if we didn’t also talk a little bit about Aussie slang, particularly that around wine. Pour yourself a glass and let’s get started. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

It's that time! Take a peek behind the scenes with us as Macquarie Dictionary chooses its 2019 Word of the Year. We once again join the Word of the Year Committee meeting, hosted at Macquarie HW, as they debate which word best represents the year. Guest judges include David Astle (radio host, writer and crossword compiler extraordinaire), Beverley Wang (journalist, producer, podcaster), Rudi Bremer (radio broadcaster and producer) and Tiger Webb (ABC Language). What's your choice for Word of the Year 2019? Review our shortlist and cast your vote for People's Choice here. Voting closes 8 December 2019. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

In this episode we explore the language of technology. How did we speak about the burgeoning computer age 30 years ago, and how do we speak about technology now? The team investigates the words that we have used to talk about technology - those that have stayed with us, those that have evolved, and those that have faded over time. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

New words and meanings are constantly being created, with some of these passing by in the blink of an eye, while others have more staying power. In this episode, the team talks about the ways new words are created, and take a closer look at some of the new words that have been submitted to us. Plus, the editors explain how we determine whether a word warrants a place in the dictionary, and once it’s approved, what happens next.   Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

Secret languages abound in history and in modern culture, with words occasionally making the leap into the mainstream of spoken English. In this episode we example the secret language of Polari with Professor Paul Baker and Colleen Windor of Les Girls. Plus, the Macquarie team discuss which Polari words have made it into the dictionary, and the resurgence of some words on the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

It's that time! Take a peek behind the scenes with us as Macquarie Dictionary chooses its 2018 Word of the Year.   In this episode tag along to the secret Word of the Year committee meeting hosted at Macquarie HQ, featuring guest judges Rae Johnston (Editor of Junkee), Jenna Guillaume (Editor-at-Large of Buzzfeed Australia), James Bradley (novelist and critic), and Tiger Webb (ABC Language).    What's your choice for Word of the Year 2018? Review our shortlist and cast your vote for People's Choice here. Voting closes 21st January 2019.   Read more about Word for Word at:  macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

Can a cryptic crossword really preserve your memory and super-charge your brain? Australia's favourite cruciverbalist, David "Don't Attempt" Astle, investigates. Meanwhile, the Macquarie team decrypts linguistic mysteries, ciphers and puzzles, and the conversation takes them from Ancient Egypt to your local butcher's shop.   Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast