In conjunction with the Macquarie Library, ABC Online conducted a poll amongst the ABC audience - is our use of idiom, slang and euphemism the same Australia-wide? Is the word for swimming costume the same in Perth as it is in Brisbane? Is the word 'bogan' used across the nation? What are 'bingo wings' and are they called that in Hobart or in Cairns? The WordMap defines and charts the highly idiosyncratic language that Aussies love best, to discover whether we do have a common language after all.
Author Biography
Kel Richards is a veteran Australian author, journalist and broadcaster. In a long career he has hosted the ABC's flagship national daily radio current affairs show AM, worked as a senior journalist and associate producer with ABC television current affairs, and hosted his own talkback shows on commercial radio. Kel is currently a Sky News contributor and a writer for The Spectator Australia. He famously presented News Radio's regular 'Wordwatch' segment on ABC (till 2010) and now writes a column on language for Australian Geographic.
