Rooted: An Australian history of bad language

(Paperback)

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*Longlisted for ABDA Awards 2021*

*Included inABR's Books of the Year 2020*

Bugger, rooted, bloody oath

What is it about Australians and swearing We've got an international reputation for using bad language and letting rip with a choice swear word or two. From the defiant curses of the convicts to the humour of Kath & Kim, Amanda Laugesen, Chief Editor of the Australian National Dictionary, takes us on an engrossing journey through the tumultuous history of Australia's bad language.

Bad language has been used in all sort of ways in our history: to defy authority, as a form of liberation and subversion, and as a source of humour and creativity. It has also been used to oppress and punish, notably Indigenous Australians and women. Revealing the fundamental tensions, conflicts, preoccupations and anxieties that have shaped our past and continue to shape our present, the story of bad language is a story about what it means to be Australian.

'This is an engrossing social history a bloody beauty from one of our leading experts on Australian English.' Frank Bongiorno

'Australia is built on blood, sweat and swears. Digging up the dirt, Amanda Laugesen finds out why, with flair, ferocity and other f-words.' David Astle

'Laugesen's history of "bad language" in Australia, provides a new and instructive gateway to understanding Australian culture and identity.' Bruce Moore

'In Rooted, Amanda Laugesen proves that so-called "bad language" makes for some of the most inventive, descriptive and even character-defining in the world.' Jonathon Green

Reviews

If youve ever wondered why to use bad language in Australia is to swear like a bullocky, Amanda Laugesens Rooted will give you the answer. Taking us on a colourful tour of more than two centuries of bad language that extends from the mildly offensive to the completely filthy, Laugesen tells the story of Australia through those words and phrases that have often been seen as unfit to print. This is an engrossing social history a bloody beauty from one of our leading experts on Australian English.""- Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, The Australian National University

Author Bio

Amanda Laugesen is a historian and lexicographer, and is Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre at the ANU. She is the author of a number of books in Australian and US history, including several books on aspects of the history of the Australian lexicon. She is Chief Editor of the Australian National Dictionary, as well as being editor of a range of Australian Oxford dictionaries.