A good little 'dictionary' by The Betoota Advocate which focuses on not so much well-known Australianisms (though some are) but Australianisms specific to Betoota and the region, sorted first by category, and then alphabetically. In this review copy, I really appreciated the first chapter being dedicated to Covid matters, since it makes it relevant, but will also make it very much a product of its time, which it is, especially when we get into names for specific sports stars and politicians.

My only gripe was that there was some fatphobia (it's a comedy book, and generally it doesn't punch down, except in this instance), which is entirely unnecessary in this day and age. Also sad to see that Becky and Karen was mentioned but not the equivalent, the dreaded Chad, lol.. These are minor things!

Otherwise the book does what it says on the tin. It's fun, it will be something some people flip through quickly, and others peruse, and long after these politicians etc. have had their run, it'll be good to remember that we did all really used to call him Scotty from Marketing. I'm not sure how penetrable this book will be to non-Australians, but the dictionary format makes it fun anyway, and I think anyone interested in the Australian cultural landscape will get a kick out of this. ( )