The Lingo Dictionary

If you’ve ever wondered why your girlfriend’s a ‘Sheila’ even though her name is Kate, or why your friend in the outer suburbs of Sydney is said to live ‘beyond the black stump’, then this is the book for you! Throwing light on all the quirky, intriguing and downright bizarre words and phrases that make up ‘Australian English’, this entertaining dictionary of slang belongs on everyone’s bookshelf. If you’re an Australian, you’ll be fascinated to find out how some of the sayings came to be; and if you’re a visitor you’ll find it an invaluable resource for understanding what people are actually talking about!


John Miller has been a journalist in regional New South Wales for almost 30 years and is passionate about Australia’s history and heritage. He has written a number of local history books and assisted other historians and authors with their publications. As well as making extensive use of written references to compile ‘The Lingo Dictionary’, John interviewed Australians from all walks of life — from outback characters to schoolkids — to ensure he captured every nuance of Australia’s unique language as it’s spoken today.