Sometimes English spelling seems designed to bamboozle. How did we end up with all these inconsistencies, quirky flourishes, and spellings that bear no resemblance to pronunciation? In search of an answer, the editors dig into the history of English spelling - including attempts to reform it - and hint at the secret work they do for spelling bees today. Plus, we check in with the adorable contestants of the Great Australian Spelling Bee TV series, two years on; and Adrik Kemp collects favourite words from the Sydney Story Factory.    Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

#15 The A-B-Cs of spelling bees

Australian English has many fascinating stories, interesting etymologies, and wonderfully weird slang. The language is constantly evolving as the world around us changes; new words are created, meanings change, and other things get left behind. In Word for Word, we explore the surprising histories behind everyday words and phrases, go behind the scenes with the dictionary editors, and meet some of Australia's most interesting word-lovers, from Scrabble champions to hip-hop artists. 

Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.

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In this, the first episode of the new season of Word for Word, the Macquarie team discuss some of the funniest (and rudest) Aussie animal slang. Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  You can also explore the 'additional links' and definitions below to learn more about our favourite animal phrases. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast  

#39 Animal Slang

In this episode of Word for Word, we are joined by Tiger Webb from the ABC to chat about the inaugural Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Decade. Find our which words have had staying power and which have fallen out of use.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

#38 Word of the Decade

In this episode of our special "in-iso" season, we chat about new words on the team's radar. Our editors discuss the Karen phenomenon and Beyoncé, while Chief Editor Alison Moore explains dictionary headwords and how two words can win Word of the Year. This is a Covid free episode. If you are interested in new words arising from the pandemic, check out episode #35 A Pandemic of new words.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast

#36 Word Watch

Language around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve. In this episode of our special "in-iso" season, the team chat about some of the new words that have come into usage as a result of life in the times of COVID.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.  Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast  

#35 A pandemic of new words

In this special “iso edition” episode, we take a small detour from talking about the virus to chat with Chief Editor Alison Moore about one of her favourite things — pronunciation.  Join us as we explore our language: the ways we use it, the ways we abuse it, and the ways we ultimately change it.   Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast   

#15 The A-B-Cs of spelling bees

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