This dictionary is the first comprehensive, historically based record of the 10,000 words and idioms that make up the Australian contribution to the English Language. It records the historical development of Australian words and phrases, from their earliest use to the present day, providing evidence of this history in some 60,000 dated and referenced quotations drawn from over 9,000 Australian sources. Each entry provides a fascinating insight into Australia's rich and diverse linguistic heritage. The Australian National Dictionary is an essential reference for those interested in Australian society, history, and culture, and makes an invaluable contribution to the study of the English language worldwide.

'This is more than a dictionary: it's a portrait of the national character, and an essay on the demotic, disrespectful national genius.' Peter Conrad, Observer