Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Public Address 2012 Word of the Year - and Decade!

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • andrew gunn,

    Refute

    Because so many people are now saying "I refute that" when they mean "I deny that".

    But actually I think the best one's been nominated upthread. Descriptive of so many things this year, it has to be:

    Omnishambles

    Christchurch • Since Apr 2009 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    There are a whole lot of very expressive words we no longer use, such as ‘beaut’ and ‘groovy’.

    I treasure "as silly as a two-bob watch".

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to andrew gunn,

    Because so many people are now saying "I refute that" when they mean "I deny that".

    quite, and now people think denial is proof

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to andrew gunn,

    Because so many people are now saying “I refute that” when they mean “I deny that”.

    +++1

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

    Awfullest word use: closure. Don't they mean acceptance?

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Hebe,

    Because so many people are now saying “I refute that” when they mean “I deny that”

    Confusing refute and dispute?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Alec Morgan,

    Woty–“slaughtered” –they got slaughtered on Voddy and coke
    or “Dotcom”

    Wotd–“i ..................” as in phone, mac, pad, pod etc for daily common usage and seemingly endless repetition throughout the 2000s

    Tokerau Beach • Since Nov 2006 • 124 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Hebe,

    Or, as my father used to say, 'I'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail'.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    ‘I’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail’.

    Mine too. Now there’s a fine summer thread starting…

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    a political one:

    ABC

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Alec Morgan,

    Woty–“slaughtered”

    Word of the 80s I recall. Along with the other carnage similes for having a lovely time: "wasted", "w(h)acked" etc

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Sacha,

    a political one:

    WOTD: micro-polling (more a conceptual framework for political decison-making than a word, I know)

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Or, as my father used to say, 'I'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail'.

    I've a favourite, 'rattle your dags' (incidentally, I can advise that the phrase 'dog tucker' is not well understood in Australia).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Hebe,

    Good idea. One which used to completely confuse me as a child was Wigwam for a goose's bridle

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    According to wikipedia, it is an Australian term for None of your business

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Wigwam for a goose’s bridle

    Our parents must have been siblings!
    Not on your nellie was often used too.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    ood idea. One which used to completely confuse me as a child was Wigwam for a goose’s bridle

    The saying that completely confused me as a kid was "Close your mouth or a bus'll fly in..."

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I mistakenly thought that "cracking a fat" was farting. I was set right on that after one particularly embarrassing gaffe. No one ever wants to know that you've cracked a particularly stinky fat.

    ETA They become distinctly alarmed when you say that it's "silent but violent"

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Hebe,

    Well, rumours are that my father sired children beyond his immediate family!

    Another one: If you don't eat your crusts, your hair won't curl

    Ben: silent but deadly?

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    That's even worse, considering the misunderstanding.

    Another one: If you don't eat your crusts, your hair won't curl

    Yes, that had me stuffed, since I wanted straight hair.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • andrew gunn,

    My favourite oldie-but-goodie, when speaking of someone overly pious, is that he or she "wouldn't say 'bum' for sixpence".

    Christchurch • Since Apr 2009 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    honestly, folk angling for a 'Words from Last Century' category... :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Sacha,

    Well, last century was only 12 years back ;-)

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to BenWilson,

    by the olfactory wall...

    ...when you say that it’s “silent but violent”

    well that's the thread goodwind...
    : - /

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

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