Even in our private life a dictionary can contain some important definitions. Here are some words that have found an important place in common parlance in Australia in the last couple of decades:
abate = reduce (noise or nuisance)
abrogate = cancel (responsibility)
AC/DC = bisexual, swinger, swing both ways
acid = see LSD
acid rain = rain that has become more acidic than normal (a pH below 5.0) due to the emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which then are absorbed by the water droplets in the formation of rain and dropped to the earth causing damage to the natural environment
active = prepared to engage in political activities
activism = promotion of or encouragement of people to engage in political activities
activist = a member of a campaign who seeks the involvement of others
administrator = a person appointed by the court to take care of your estate if you die intestate
aerobics = fashionable keep-fit exercise routine based on increasing oxygen intake to stimulate heart and lungs and muscle tone
affidavit = a written statement sworn or affirmed to be true, similar to a statutory declaration but prepared for a court
affirmation = a declaration that the statement is true, usually defined by a State law such as the Oaths Act, often used by a person who chooses not to make an oath because of its religious connotations
age-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against older men/women, purely because of their age
AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDS-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against those suffering from AIDS
alternative = alternative to establishment, not-for-money, anti-establishment, counter-culture, holding other things to be true or of value
alternative comedy = style of comedy emerging in the 1970's that was outlawed because it used bad language or ideas frowned upon or hidden or not supported by the establishment; became prominent in the 80's now considered part of ordinary culture
alternative medicine = style of medicine rejected or seen of little value by established medical profession
amphetamine = psychostimulant drug; speed, up, fast, louee, goey, whiz, pep pills, uppers; crystal methamphetamine = ice, shabu, crystal meth, glass
anarchist = an activist who promotes anarchy as a way of human freedom and progress
anarchy = a stateless society; a society that is run in the interests of all without the need for a dominant state structure or institution
androgyne = appearing or identify as neither man nor woman
angel dust = PCP; see LSD
animal rights = assigning 'civil rights' to animals as a tactic in a political fight to stop cruelty to animals
anorexia nervosa = medical condition leading to serious emaciation
anti-establishment = openly opposing well established rights to money, property, privilege, power and prestige
asexual = not interested; not sexually attracted (to anyone)
baby-boomer = born in a period of increased-birth-rate after the second world war (1945-55)
base = see speed; see methamphetamine
beneficiary = a person who benefits from a gift, devise or bequest in a Last Will & Testament
benzodiazepine = depressant drug; Diazepam: Valium, Ducene; Oxazepam: Alepam, Murelax, Serepax; Nitrazepam: Alodorm, Mogadon; Temazepam: Normison, Euhypnos, Temaze
bequeath = to make a bequest in a Last Will & Testament
bequest = personal property (money) left to a beneficiary in a Last Will & Testament
BDSM = bondage, domination, sadism, masochism
bigendered = combination of both male/female
bimbo = young woman in relationship with older man provides services of sexual favour in return for economic favour
binding = contractual requirement which I can't get out of
binding = physical clothing/shoes etc. designed to modify profile
bisexual = interested in, attracted to, and/or sexually active with, both male & female partners
biphobia = fear of, discrimination against, or hatred of bisexuals
bit = elemental information, on-off, in digital systems 0-1
black flag = the symbol of the anarchists
blog = web log; web diary; online journal or newsletter; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption; often includes philosophical reflection, social or political opinion, etc. See also
blog = web log; web diary; online journal or newsletter; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption; often includes philosophical reflection, social or political opinion, etc. See also
blogger = one who maintains a blog; one who blogs
bona fide = in good faith, honestly, at fair market value, without deceit or fraud
bong = for smoking dope; see cannabis
born again = radical Christian movements
bottom = one who seeks or adopts a submissive role in sexual activity; See top
brain dead = body is still alive but no longer human because the brain is incapable of reason; can be an induced state for medical treatment or could be the end of human life
brain drain = the best (skilled labour and educational elite) leave Australia to work overseas; see also maternal brain drain
BSE = Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (mad cow disease)
bulletin board = a virtual space created by an Internet service provider for the posting of messages and information by virtual members (usually members of a special interest group) who are encouraged to post and read and reply to messages that relate to other virtual visitors who frequent that specific bulletin board; communication but not in real time; for real time see chat room
buprenorphine = Subutex, a treatment for severe pain, heroin dependence, reducing the need for methadone
cannabis = a vegetable containing the drug THC; sold as marijuana (resin), hashish (concentrated resin), kief (powder), charas (hand-made hashish), bhang (leaves ground into a drink), hash oil (distilled THC), budder (processed hash oil), pipe resin (collected and re-smoked), shake or leaf, acapulco gold, acapulco red, lebanese gold, afghani black, af, black pak, turkish pollen, mexican green, durban poison, congo bush, also called shit, grass, pot, hash, weed, reefer, dope, herb, mull, buddha, ganja, joint, stick, buckets, cones, skunk, hydro, yarndi, smoke, hooch
carbon trading = a market for the sale of rights to pollute
caveat = an attachment legal document warning of an interest that must be taken into account such as an agreement by a third person because of an encumbrance before a legal step can be taken
care order = a direction by the Family Court regarding responsibility for the care of the child
CD-R = Compact Disk - Record (write once)
CD-RW = Compact Disk - Read-Write (rewritable)
chat room = a virtual space created by an Internet website supplier, where virtual people created by the user (or visitor or surfer) meet to talk to each other in real time
Chi kung = Chinese energy exercises where breathing and body movement recharge energy
child abuse = physical harm by those in charge of a child, parents, guardians, friend/family, teachers, child-minders
chill-out = pleasurable relaxation
civil rights = what started out as a way of identifying how black Americans were treated differently under the law because of their race, has entered into language as a way of expressing universal human rights in civil society
climate change = see global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
cocaine = stimulant drug; C, coke, flake, nose candy, snow, dust, white, white lady, toot, crack, rock, freebase
codicil = an attachment legal document attached to the Last Will & Testament that changes some wording or meaning or impact of the Will; not recommended, make a new Will if you can
come out = declare publicly personal homosexuality or a lasting homosexual relationship; See in the closet; See down low
commie; commy = communist; Stalinist
commie bastard = leftie; leftist; left-winger (a term of abuse from the anti-communist days of the Menzies era)
coming out = reveal homosexuality or other hidden LGBTQI profiles
communist = an activist who promotes a communist society as a way of human freedom and progress
communist society = a society that promotes common ownership through a state that owns all the means of production and that is run by a parliament voted in by workers who control the means of production and distribution and vote their political representatives in at their workplace and can sack them at any time; an internationalist movement
computer dating = find a partner on the Internet
conscientious consumerism = campaign for consumers to limit their purchases based on ethical concerns such as problems with pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, hormones, genetically engineered products and the effects of products on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming
consent order = a direction by the Court based on the consent of both parties that is legally enforceable
conservationist = committed to change for the proper use of limited resources
conservative = oppose all change to preserve the power and prestige and benefit of the status quo
consumerism = personal values are dominated by the importance of shopping and the act of purchase
cookie = a small text file which holds brief information about you when you enter a website, enabling the website to recognise you when you next visit the site
cot death = unexplained death of a newly born child; see SIDS
counter culture = living in a commune separated from normal society
crack = see cocaine
creation science = non-scientific but purporting to be scientific to promote the concept of theism in a modern world dominated by science; re-writing science to accept some parts of science and reject others to make it compliant with Christianity; part of a born-again movement
creditor = a person to whom I owe money
cross-dress = wear clothes of the opposite gender
crystal methamphetamine = ice, shabu, crystal meth, glass
curriculum vitae = a description of the background, skills and experience of an applicant being considered at the moment of recruitment, prepared by the applicant according to established general principles agreed across the profession. The words curriculum vitae is an old fashioned name for a resume, still used in Australia, but more likely in more traditional professional positions such as medicine, law, accountancy and academia; those areas of the economy that still have strong links with Australia's British past
de facto = a marriage established by 'fact', not by ceremony or certificate
debtor = a person that owes me money
deed = an agreement or a declaration that is signed in a particular way and, because of this is, treated in a special way by the courts
deforestation = land clearing; elimination of bush/forest for agriculture
delta-9 = tetrahydrocannadibal
demo = political demonstration or staged political event to put pressure on the government to change policy
deponent = the swearer of an affidavit
depressant drug = downer; see gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), alcohol, benzodiazepine, inhalant, opioid, opium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone
destitute funeral = funeral arranged by the state for a person who died without assets
devise = to separate and dispose of real estate property in a Last Will & Testament
diamond (album, single) = not calculated in Australia; see gold, silver, platinum
diamond (DVD) = not calculated in Australia; see gold, silver, platinum
diamond (music video) = not calculated in Australia; see gold, silver, platinum
diamond wedding anniversary = 75 years
disability-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against disabled
disbursement = money paid out of the available cash for claimable charges and proper expenses incurred
disclaimer = a warning that I will not accept a particular responsibility that may be usually associated with this
discharge = to get rid of an obligation, responsibility, liability, or debt (usually by performing or paying it)
discriminate = act against (or for)
discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against (or for) members of (or perceived to be members of) specific societal groupings; See age, AIDS, disability, HIV, race, racial, sexual, trans
discrimination = see age-discrimination
discrimination = see AIDS-discrimination
discrimination = see disability-discrimination
discrimination = see HIV-discrimination
discrimination = see race-discrimination
discrimination = see racial-discrimination
discrimination = see sexual-discrimination
discrimination = see trans-discrimination
discussion group = special interest group who pass information on their special interest usually on the Internet using bulletin boards or chat room
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic information
DMT = dimethyltrytamine; synthetic hallucinogenic drug similar to LSD
doggy-bag = take home remains of a meal eaten at a restaurant
Dolby = noise reduction system
down low = in the closet; see come out
downer = depressant drug; see gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), alcohol, benzodiazepine, inhalant, opioid, opium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone
download = transferring a file between two computers using the Internet
drag-king = theatrical promotion of oneself as a man
drag-queen = theatrical promotion of oneself as a woman
dreadlocks = distinctive hairstyle made popular by the Rastafarian movement
drive-by = shooting from a moving vehicle; imported from the US
DSP = Digital Signal Processing
duress = some pressure or coercion brought to bear on one person by another to perform some act or favour
duty of care = legal obligation (usually as a result of accepting a job, a particular undertaking, a responsibility or a title or position in which risks are known and/or implied) to understand the risks to others and to do everything that can be reasonably expected to avoid those risks
DVD = Digital Video Disk; also known as digital versatile disk
DVD = Digital Video Disk (read only)
DVD-R, +R = Digital Video Disk - Record (write once)
DVD-RW, +RW, RAM = Digital Video Disk - Read-Write (rewritable)
dyke = masculine appearing lesbian; usually a put-down; see fag
ecstasy = similar to MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), amphetamines, and (in high doses) hallucinogens; E, XTC, eccy, the love drug
email = e-mail; electronic messaging service using the Internet
emissions trading = a market for the sale of rights to pollute in the form of greenhouse gas emissions
encumbrance = a weight around my neck; a responsibility that needs to be satisfied in the future; a liability; a charge
endorse = to make clear your support or agreement by signing and writing your name on a document
environmentalist = activist on green issues
equal opportunity = positive action to overcome discrimination
ESP = extra-sensory perception
establishment = well established as the rightful owner of money, property, power, privilege and prestige
estate = assets that belonged to the deceased at the moment of death
euthanasia = an act performed (or not performed) for the purpose of deliberately ending a person's life; specifically a generous act to limit suffering and pain, therefore not an act of murder or manslaughter
euthanasia (active) = deliberately ending a person's life by an act of euthanasia
euthanasia (passive) = deliberately ending a person's life by withholding or withdrawing or ending medical treatment
ex gratia payment = a payment made for which there is no reciprocal obligation
ex nuptial = outside of the marriage
ex nuptial child = child born outside of the marriage
ex parte = one party is not present
executor = the person given the role and responsibility of performing the duties given him/her by the testator/testatrix in a Last Will & Testament and making sure that the wishes of the testator/testatrix are respected and satisfied to the greatest extent possible
executrix = an executor who is a woman; old-fashioned: a woman can be called an executor these days
extra-terrestrial = (life) outside of the earth
fag = feminine appearing homosexual (usually a put-down); see dyke
fag-hag = woman preferring the company of fags (usually a put-down)
fast-food = usually take-away; commercial sale of food pre-prepared and ready to eat at the point of sale; junk food
fatwa = edict under Muslim (sharia) law
Feng shui = ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment
fiduciary = others' interests, not my own
firewall = software and systems to secure an internal network from unauthorised external access and Internet hackers
foreclose = to take up a clause in the contract which allows the lender to take possession and force the sale early because of a failure of the owner/borrower to meet his/her obligations under contract
G spot = that section of a woman's body that can be stimulated for greatest pleasure
G string = underwear pants without a rear panel, replaced with a narrow band between the buttocks
gay bar = a drinking establishment that caters for gays and lesbians
gay liberation = political movement to eliminate discrimination of gays and lesbians and to improve the social standing and position of the homosexual
gay rights = political movement to improve the treatment and place of homosexuals in society
gay pride = campaign to raise general awareness of homosexuality and improve its acceptance
gender identity = a campaign to promote acceptance of different forms of gender and acceptance of different ways of identifying oneself in relation to gender
gender-bender = transvestite, transsexual
generation gap = differences experienced between and given expression by grand-parent/parent/child generations because of societal transformations
genetic engineering = alteration of genetic information in DNA to produce desirable new traits in an organism or eliminate undesirable ones
genetic fingerprint = patterning of genetic information in DNA so that it can be compared one organism to another
gentrification = an old cheap working class suburb is taken over by the new rich middle class and turned into an expensive suburb
GHB = gamma hydroxybutyrate; a depressant drug; Fantasy, grievous bodily harm (GBH), liquid ecstasy, liquid E, liquid X, salty water, Georgia Home Boy, soap, scoop, organic Quaalude, cherry meth, blue nitro
gift = personal property (real estate property, money or other item of value) given by one person to another who is not providing, and is not required to provide, anything in return
gift = personal property (other than real estate property or money) left to a beneficiary in a Last Will & Testament
gig = used to be musicians referring amongst themselves to a musical job but now used widely by anyone referring to any musical event or concert
global village = globalisation
global warming = changes in global climate patterns; continuous increase in average daily temperature over time across the world leading to disastrous consequences; it is happening and time frames are becoming shorter and shorter; dynamic generalised disaster in progress
globalisation = increasing tendency for trade to include products from outside the national border; increasing international trade; commercial and industrial decision-making increasingly likely to include impact on more than one nation state; as production increases in size and use of resources it is more likely to impact on the whole of humanity not just the nation of origin
glossary = a list of words that have special meaning because of their context of use and an explanation of the special definitions assigned to them
glue sniffing = use of inhalant drugs
gob-smacked = shocked or appalled
go for it = (new way of saying) have a go!, give it a go!, try it on!, get it off!,
gold (album, single) = sold 35,000 (ARIA); see diamond, silver, platinum
gold (DVD) = not calculated in Australia; see diamond, silver, platinum
gold (music video (includes music DVDs)) = sold 7,700 (ARIA); see diamond, silver, platinum
gold card = credit card for the rich middle class
golden wedding anniversary = 50 years
go with the flow! = accept change; adapt
GPS = Global Positioning System
green = politically active on the environment
greenhouse gas = water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs) , ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
greenhouse gas emissions = regular emission of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere from motor vehicles and industrial production that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation from the sun, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change
greenie = well known to be dedicated, adamant or fanatical on the environment
gross! = utterly disgusting; overwhelming; unacceptable
groupie = a woman who travels with the musical show on tour to have sex with the rich and famous
group sex = traditional orgy as has happened over the millennia: much sex in a large collective domain and sex with many partners; seen in the sixties as liberation, now just sex; sexually transmitted disease and AIDS have added a sense of realism
group therapy = psychological treatment of patients in groups
hacker = an Internet user whose main object is the gaining of unauthorised access to secure internal networks
hag = ugly old woman (see fag-hag)
hajj = annual pilgrimage to Mecca
hang in there! = accept change (with view to eventual benefit); optimism
hardball, play = tough, no nonsense; tell it like it is
hard core = pornography that has no restrictions based on the sensitivity of the uninitiated or on middle class morality
hard drugs = addictive; see heroin, cocaine, crack, and tobacco (well, it's not usually included but it should be as it is highly addictive, Ed.)
heritage = new form of property ownership (based on notions of historical importance and retention for future generations) where the state (Commonwealth and States) is involved in the rules governing maintenance and development of particular properties
heroin = depressant drug; an opioid; smack, skag, dope, H, junk, hammer, slow, gear, harry, horse, black tar, china white, Chinese H, white dynamite, dragon, elephant, homebake, poison
hetero-normative = playing or careful to be seen as straight
hip-hop = rap-variant musical style
HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus = an infection leading to AIDS
HIV-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against those suffering from HIV/AIDS
HIV-phobia = unwarranted fear or hatred of persons living with HIV/AIDS
HRT = hormone replacement therapy
homophobia = unwarranted fear of homosexuality
how good's that? = I'm impressed! that's excellent!
ice = powerful, synthetic stimulant drug; crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride (an amphetamine); meth, d-meth, crystal, crystal meth, shabu, batu, tina, glass
identity = conscious identification of oneself as a member of a social group(ing) suffering from inequality, injustice, racial vilification, or other forms of human rights violations, including victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity
identity politics = organising political (a) group(ing) based on identity and political actions by members of these political groups and their followers, to fight inequality, injustice, racial vilification, or other forms of human rights violations, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity
in common = see tenancy in common
in the closet = hide homosexuality or sexual preferences; see down low; see come out
in-joke = joke only understood within the group
inhalant = depressant; including organic solvents such as glue, aerosol, paints, industrial solvents, lacquer thinners, gasoline or petrol, and cleaning fluids) and the aliphatic nitrites such as amyl nitrite; glue, gas, sniff, huff, chroming, poppers
instant replay = televised sporting activity now available for
internationalism = promoting identification between ordinary people in all countries of the world and promoting not placing my nation above any other; promoting co-operation, human freedom, equality and justice for all; see nationalism
Internet cafe = an Australian form of the cybercafe; a cafe or bar giving customers access to the Internet while having a cup of coffee or snack, charging per hour of machine time
intestate = without a current, legally valid Last Will and Testament
Intifada = Palestinian people's power movement
IP = Intellectual Property = legally recognised rights to copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets etc.
iPOD = brand-name (personal portable digital audio player)
jet set = travellers of wealth and position
job description = a description of the position/role and the tasks that make up the role, who the position reports to, other relationships, the measures of performance, the expected performance levels, and the negotiation of changes to the role over time
job profile = (sometimes called the position profile)
joint tenancy = a form of ownership in which the property is owned by both parties in which when one party dies the property passes automatically to the other party
karaoke = a new form of musical hall taken up in Australia in restaurants, clubs and hotels where the owner provides the music and the patrons provide the voice
kiss of life = mouth to mouth resuscitation
KKK = Klu Klux Klan; US racist political group promoting white supremacy
knock-off = cease work for the day
knock it off! = cease! desist!
land clearing = deforestation; elimination of bush/forest for agriculture
leather= BDSM
leather= dress as if you are into BDSM
LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer
LGBTQI = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexed
liberate = (since ownership is theft) steal for the good of humanity
liberation = movement for freedom and equality of oppressed or underprivileged or discriminated
liberation theology = movement within the church for freedom and equality of oppressed or underprivileged or discriminated backed by political/philosophical text and against rulings and wishes of the pope and the church hierarchy
life-support = technology without which the patient's life would terminate
life style = choices made with a conscious reference to a concept or expectation of a better life to result from the choice made
LSD = hallucinogen; psychedelic drug; magic mushrooms, mescaline, PCP (phencyclidine), cannabis (in high quantities), ecstasy
mad cow disease = Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
maternal brain drain = important skilled labour leaves work for childbirth, at costs of loss of skills and continuity and costs of temporary replacement, recognised more today because of labour shortages; see also brain drain
MDMA = methylenedioxymethamphetamine
mega-pixel = one million pixels
methadone = synthetically manufactured upload used as a substitute for the treatment of people dependent on heroin and other opioids
methamphetamine = See ice (crystal); See speed (powder)
mexican wave = large crowd synchronised movement (at the football or cricket when the crowd gets bored)
mid life crisis = coming to terms with lost youth and mortality
militant = to engage in political activities in a highly-organised, quasi-militant manner
minimalism = art movement in the 1960s; also applied to particular form of architectural utilitarianism
mini-series = TV series of 3 or four episodes
mlog = musiclog; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption based on continual updates of music recordings, often with social or political impact, etc
mlogger = one who maintains a mlog; one who mlogs
movement = planned informal political campaign seeking a wider constituency
multicultural = formal involvement of government at all levels in projects to acknowledge cultural difference and accommodate to the interests of national minority groups
national socialism = the term used by Hitler as another word for nazism or fascism, to attract workers' support in the 1930s; only used today by the nazi ultra-right
nationalism = promoting national identification and promoting a member of society placing their nation state above all others; promoting Australia as a better place than all other nation states; see internationalism
near-death experience = see out of body
nine to five = basic or normal work hours
niqab = a form of hijab that covers the face
nuptial = related to the marriage
oath = a declaration that the statement is true, usually defined by a State law such as the Oaths Act, has religious connotations as it represents a swearing on the bible or other religious text, see also affirmation
oath = a promise to tell the truth sworn on the bible or other religious text, see also affirmation
occupation = political tactic; see sit-in
off shore = taking ownership to another country for legal or taxation benefit
one-hit wonder = momentarily popular but won't last
one-night stand = casual sex but no relationship planned
one-off = unusual event; repeat not expected
opioid = depressant; includes opiumopium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone
order = a direction by the court that a directive or an action will be undertaken/carried out/followed (or else); see decree, care order, consent order, parenting order, specific issue order
organ = separate body part that can viewed as operating separately to other parts
organ recipient = see transplant
organ transplant = see transplant
out of body experience = experience claimed by a large number who have been at near-death and have recovered
ozone shield = layer of ozone in the atmosphere acting as a shield has largely disappeared in much of Australia due to atmospheric pollutants across the world, leaving Australians more exposed to the effects of the sun and radiation
page three = soft core porn in newspapers and magazines
parenting order = a direction by the Family Court that a parent will act in a particular manner in relation to their child (or else)
passive smoking = an important form of intake of tobacco drug, now known to be dangerous and the reason for public bans being introduced by States in Australia
peter principle = in a large organisation a person is promoted over time to one level higher than his/her actual level of competence
phlog = photolog; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption based on continual updates of photographs, often with social or political impact, etc. See also
pologger = one who maintains a polog; one who pologs
positive discrimination = strategy to overcome discrimination by giving special consideration to members of a set which normally suffers from discrimination
post natal = special experiences such as depression occurring just after birth and related to the condition of the mother's body and the birth experience
post nuptial = after the marriage has ended
post traumatic stress disorder = a continuing shock syndrome affecting soldiers who have been involved in dramatic war experiences
power of attorney = a deed signed by a principal authorising another person to act as his/her agent. Generally speaking, whatever you can do yourself you can do by an agent; does not apply to making a will or swearing affidavit. See general power of attorney; enduring power of attorney
pre nuptial = prior to the marriage
preservationist = vocal opposition to proposed changes to elements of the past that exist in the present
privatisation = sale of government operations to be run for profit by corporations
pro-life = anti-abortion political campaign; see also right to life
protest = political campaign about or for the rejection of and the reform of or the elimination of particular onerous government policy
protester = person taking part in a political campaign that has adopted a protest form
Public Trustee = a trustee set up by State governments to provide people with independent and reliable trustee services: http://www.publictrusteesaustralia.com/
put-down = a derogatory attempt to belittle in the eyes of others; see dyke, fag
pyramid = franchise to sell units of product not to the final consumer but to another franchiser; outlawed in Australia
quick fix = the job has been done but corners have been cut and little attention paid to the result
race-discimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against those perceived to be members of a specific (so-called "racial") societal grouping
racial-discrimination= See race-discrimination
race = a racist term; See race-discrimination
racist = organised political campaign against victims suffering from racial discrimination, race-discrimination
radical = prepared to offend common belief for a just cause
rally = political demonstration or staged political event to which a broader section of society is invited to put pressure on the government to change policy
rap = musical style usually involving synthesising and poetical oration
Rasta = member/supporter of a Rastafarian group/sect
Rastafarian = religious sect promoting racial purity and membership of social groups and traditions/music/etc. as steps to glory
recreational drug use = a re-classification of soft/hard distinction
recycling = new ways of classifying material in waste disposal units to ensure more use is made of useful material previously considered to be waste
red card = you have been cautioned (see yellow card) and you have refused to desist, you must now pay the penalty
red flag = the symbol of internationalism of the Third International adopted by the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the communist party in the 1920s as their symbol; used by activists, commies, trots to signify commitment to internationalism
red star = the symbol of internationalism of the Russian Revolution; used by activists, commies, trots to signify commitment to internationalism
reds = activists; unionists; commies; Stalinists; trots
reference = a letter or a questionnaire (confidential letter, confidential questionnaire and to whom it may concern) written/completed by someone who has sufficient knowledge of the applicant to vouch for or deny his/her suitability for the position
Reflexology = therapy using interaction with the feet, and/or hands and ears to soothe, calm, balance and boost the entire body
refugee = a group entering Australia displaced in their own country and looking for protection support and residence, highly politicised by current laws and regulations
Reiki = using spiritual practice to treat physical, emotional, mental and spiritual disease
retro = looking back to the past
right to die = political campaign focussing on passive euthanasia (turning off the machines keeping the body alive unnaturally)
right to life = anti-abortion political campaign given a religious undertone; see pro-life
RNA = ribonucleic acid; genetic code
RSI = repetitive stress injury
rubber bullet = see plastic bullet
safe sex = campaign for sex using controls focussed on improving safety from HIV/AIDS
serial monogamy = a series of monogamous relationships; moving continuously from one to another
sexual-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against sexual grouping
sexual discrimination = discrimination based purely upon one's gender or sexual orientation; sexism
sexual harassment = sexual behaviour towards another which is deliberate, uninvited, unwelcome and usually repeated, such as unsolicited act of physical intimacy; unsolicited demand or request for sexual favour; remark with sexual connotations; or any other unwelcome act of a sexual nature
sexual orientation = gender identity
sexism = sexual discrimination
SIDS = sudden infant death syndrome (cot-death)
silver (album, single) = not calculated in Australia; see diamond, gold, platinum
silver (DVD) = not calculated in Australia; see diamond, gold, platinum
silver (music video) = not calculated in Australia; see diamond, gold, platinum
silver wedding anniversary = 25 years
sit-com = television program; situation comedy (with piped laughter)
sit-in = political demonstration based on occupation by demonstrators of official premises
skin flick = pornographic film with focus on nakedness
skinny dip = group naked swimming event
slog = sketchlog; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption based on continual updates of drawings, sketches and other artistic endeavour, often with social or political impact, etc. See also
slogger = one who maintains a slog; one who slogs
smashed = out of control or unconscious because of intoxification (hard drug)
snuff movie = hard core porn in which the actor is (supposed to have been) murdered in the making
soap = (or soap opera) a continuing drama series; called a "soap" because they began as radio dramas in the 1930s sponsored by soap manufacturers and developed over time into daily, never-ending drama on daytime TV
socialist = an activist who promotes a socialist society as a way of human freedom and progress
socialist society = a state that stands for human freedom and equality and is run by ordinary people who control everything, the means of production, distribution, the army, the police force, money, trade, the rule of law, etc.
soft core = acceptable forms of pornography in newspapers and magazines
specific issue order = a direction by the Family Court that a particular person will deal with a particular issue in relation to the matter before the Court in a particular way or else
SPAM = sending email promotions, advertisements, scams to email addresses that have not requested it, to email addresses harvested from bulletin boards, discussion groups, chat rooms, web pages, etc.
speed = amphetamine; the powder form of methamphetamine
squat = illegal occupation of unoccupied building as a strategy against homelessness
STD = sexually transmitted disease
STD = subscriber trunk dialling
stoned = affected by intoxification (soft drug)
streaker = exhibitionist who takes off his/her clothes and crosses the pitch/field with officials/police in chase
struggle = informal political grouping prepared to engage in political activity to achieve particular objectives
surfer = one who occupies his/her time on the Internet browsing, maybe looking for some particularity but often following a virtual paper-trail with accidental or random or oblique relativity
swearing = a statement of truth purported to be made in the presence or omniscience of a god, see also affirmation
swing voter = person who changes vote pattern based on issues not membership or allegiance
swinger = person who practices sexual promiscuity
take-away = fast-food; commercial sale of food prepared and ready to eat at the point of sale, purchased nearby and taken home and eaten
talkback = radio show encouraging listeners to call in to give their opinion; in Australia talkback is politically conservative and sensationalist; often giving saturation to political issues-of-the-day; can have an important political impact
tax bracket = income tax rates differ depending upon which bracket described in ATO regulations you appear in
tax break = concession offered by the ATO
tax creep = generalised movement into a higher bracket because of inflation causing taxpayers, whilst not earning any higher real wages, having to pay higher rates of tax
tax dodge = (legal or illegal) method for ensuring that particular tax rules do not apply to you
tax exile = person whose relationship with ATO is such that (s)he cannot return to Australia for fear of criminal prosecution
tax haven = another country offering limited or no tax as an inducement for Australian companies to relocate operations
tax shelter = concession offered by the ATO that results in certain people/companies/trusts/associations/parts of earnings being sheltered from tax
tax threshold = concession offered by the ATO that results in earnings under a certain threshold being exempt from tax
tenancy = forms of ownership; see joint tenancy and tenancy in common
tenancy in common = a form of ownership in which the property is owned by both parties such that each party has a separate share; when one party dies the property passes to that party's beneficiaries
tenancy, joint = see joint tenancy
testate = with a current, legally valid Last Will and Testament
testator = a person who has made a testament; the person making gift, devise and bequest in the form of a Last Will and Testament
testatrix = a testator who is a woman; old-fashioned: a woman can be called a testator these days
THC = tetrahydrocannabinol, see cannabis
tie = more than one player wins first prize
tie breaker = action carried out to determine the winner after a tie
time share = two or more owners of a property agree to share use of the property by assigning time to each owner
TINA = there is no alternative (Thatcher's excuse for most things; especially for anything unethical - Ed.)
tit mag = soft core porn magazine
tits & bums = R or X rated film focussed on nakedness
tobacco = powerful stimulant drug; highly addictive like hard drugs
toy-boy = young man in relationship with older woman provides services of sexual favour in return for economic favour
tranny = one who promotes him/herself as trans; not all trans are trannies
tranny-chaser = one who prefers sex with trans
transplant = organ is removed from one person (the donor) and transplanted into another (the recipient)
trans = gender-variant (for whatever reason)
trans = gender-variant community (many reasons, not always apparant or available to the interloper)
trans-discrimination = widespread and established societal norms causing actions against trans
trans-sexual = identifies him/herself as a gender other than that assigned to him/her at birth
trip = use hallucinogenic drug; see LSD
trip out = smashed by the use of hallucinogenic drug; see LSD
trust = fiduciary relationship in which a person or persons (the trustee(s)) holds the title of property for the benefit of another (the beneficiary); could include a bare trust, a constructive trust, a discretionary trust, an executed or executory trust, an express trust, a precatory trust, a private trust, a public trust, a resultant trust, a secret trust, a testamentary trust, a voluntary trust, etc.
trustee = a person who holds the title of property for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
trustworthy = can be relied upon for truth, correctness, accuracy
ultra right = fascist; neo-fascist; nazi; white supremacy; KKK
under age = not welcome in a pub because they are under the age legally permitted to purchase and consume alcohol under the Liquor Act or similar law
underclass = lower social class; lacking in ownership, power, privilege and position; looked down upon and considered less-deserving; somehow of less worth than others
underground movement = members of a political group being pursued by police and the courts and having to work clandestinely
unionist = politically active in supporting and promoting the role and the activities of the trade union
upper = stimulant drug; see cocaine, ice, amphetamine, methamphetamine hydrochloride, khat, tobacco
upwardly mobile = in process of moving from a lower class to a higher class by changing education, earning, living conditions, ownership, power, prestige, etc.
virus = a bit of code that usually comes into your system attached to an email whose purpose is to cause damage of some kind
vlog = videolog; newsletter or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption based on continual updates of video, often with social or political impact, etc. See also
vlogger = one who maintains a vlog; one who vlogs
WASP = White Anglo Saxon Protestant
web diary = see blog
web log = see blog
weblog = see blog
whacked = debilitated by drugs
white supremacy = politically active supporting dominance of whites over blacks because of their race
WHO = World Health Organisation
WHO Lexicon of alcohol & drug terms = See
women's lib = see women's liberation
women's liberation = political movement for the elimination of discrimination on the basis of gender and improve the social position of women
women's libber = active member of the women's liberation movement
women's movement = women's liberation movement
workaholic = places work at the top of personal life choices and everything else takes second place
wrecked = debilitated by drugs
Wu tao = using dance for physical and mental well being
yellow card = caution; you are about to be penalised if you don't desist (see red card)
yellow rain = potentially deadly pollutants falling in the form of rain