Word of the Month

Learn the Meaning and History of Australian Words

The Oxford Word of the Month is written by members of the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANDC) and published each month by Oxford University Press. Each Word of the Month looks at an Australian word or term in some detail, providing a history of the term and its role in current Australian society.  

2020 Words of the Month

Nutbush - January
Green nomad - February
Sausage sizzle - March
Fauxgan - April
Pet shop galah - May
Carpetbagger - June 
Postie bike - July 
Bum nut - August
Zebra opossum - September
Dunny diver - October

2019 Words of the Month

Pinkie - January
Fair dinkumness - February
Tassie tuxedo - March
Rolled-gold - April
Stack hat - May
Mud map - June
Cruisy - July
Schmiddy - August
Burnt chop syndrome - September
Dog shot - October

2018 Words of the Month

Egg flip - January
Doing the doors - February
Magic - March
Temp - April
Harbour bridge pass - May 
Picfac - June
Anzac Day rule - July
Green whistle - August
Dog act - September
Cultural burn - October
Chicken salt - November 
Flog - December 

2017 Words of the Month

Turbo chook - January
Black caviar odds - February
Corflute - March
Thongophone - April
Smashed avo - May
Kangatarian - June
Shoey - July
Honey joy - August 
Cubby house - September 
Lady tradie - October
Platypup - November
John Farnham - December

2016 Words of the Month

Koala diplomacy - December
Melbourne Cup field - November
Baggy green - October
Hip-pocket nerve - September
Bush bride - August
Deso - July
Convict class - June
Tag dag - May
Kangaroo mile - April
Bush politician - March
Field day - February
Australian tea - January

Click here to find out Australia's Word of the Year for 2015.
Click here to find out the International Word of the Year for 2015.

2015 Words of the Month

Humidicrib - December
Schmick up - November
Flagfall - October
CUB - September
Tip turkey - August
Hoon operation - July
Hubbard - June
Spill - May
Big stoush - April
Ned Kelly beard - March
Eggshell blonde - February
Fridging - January

For archived issues of Word of the Month, please visit the Australian National Dictionary Centre's website here.