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Aussie Slang

AI generated with Copilot | Credit phb The Author of this post is Kel Richards, known in OZ as the Wordsmith. What are Swifties? Generation Z? Generation 0.00? OZWORD OF THE DAY: Swifties As a Baby Boomer all I know about Taylor Swift is what I read in the newspapers. To the best of my knowledge, I have never heard a Taylor Swift song—although I suppose as I walk though Coles that background music they pipe in might contain a bit of Taylor Swift (not that I would have recognised it). So, all I know is that her ‘Eras’ tour attracted millions of people and made billions of dollars (well, a lot anyway) and that she is the leading pop star of this era (the Elvis and Beatles of today). Taylor Swift is, it appears, a songwriter as well as a singer and performer. And it’s her songwriting that might be interesting. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary people tell me that there are words being looked up by young people just because they appear in Taylor Swift song lyrics. And the words she is introducing the kids to are slightly out-of-the-way words that would baffle the average 13 or 14-year-old. Here is a sample (you’ll know all these, but look at them from the kids’ point of view): Clandestine— “And that’s the thing about illicit affairs / And clandestine meetings and longing stares”; meaning done…

Clam

The English Language WorldwideAuthor Kel Richards, Aussie Wordsmith Pls note: The Author of this Blog Post is Kel Richards, not me! Ocean Shores South Pacific | Credit phb OZWORD OF THE DAY: "Happy as a clam" A reader writes to ask about an expression that an American friend of his keeps using: ‘happy as a clam.’ The puzzle, says my reader, is: why are clams happy? Can we even be sure they are happy? And why did anyone decide that clams are happy creatures? The expression is American and seems to date from around 1834. It’s one of a group of these ‘happy as…’ expressions. The Oxford cites the examples of: ‘happy as a king’, ‘as a lark’, ‘as a prince’ and ‘as a pig in mud.’ Each of which seems to have some sort of logic to it—kings and princes are often rich and powerful (so, perhaps, happy); ‘larks’ sing as if they are happy; and when a pig rolls in mud it looks like it is in ecstasy. But with the little clam this logic doesn’t apply. One suggestion is that the full expression is ‘happy as a clam at high tide’ or ‘…at high water.’ Michael Quinion suggests this is because people walk along beaches, with their little spade and bucket, digging up clams at low tide, or low water, hence when the tide is high the clam should feel safe…

Share a story about someone who had a negative impact on your life.Trump 2.0 #POTUS | Screenshot #phb #POTOS Donald #phb | The Teacher | Credit AI Copilot (not myself) Peter H Blocker Writer and Blogger Profile Linked Mon 12 May 2025.

Jens

Music Is The LANGUAGE Castle scaffolding tall in moat, the dead trees in the dam flower each morning with birds. Jens This post honors my brother Jens Bloecker, born in Germany 9 May 1951, music lover and very kind and gentle teacher of kids who needed love and care. About 2 years younger than myself, Jens fell in love with Namibia and RSA. He rests in peace since he died aged 70. Too young, my dear brother Jens. But your dear family and friends will never ever forget you. You are still alive in our memories and you are very close to us. Living in our hearts. Blues and Heartbeat and Soul and Motown. Music is the Language, you understood. RSA and Berlin based Hip-Hop and USA and Motown plus Love and Language | AI generated by phb In the hip-hop context, the phrase "at stake" is often used to describe situations where an artist's reputation, credibility, or career is on the line. It can also refer to cultural debates, financial success, or the impact of hip-hop on society. Hip-Hop Context Examples "In a rap battle, an artist’s street credibility is at stake with every verse they spit." "With hip-hop’s influence growing globally, its authenticity is at stake as commercial interests take over." "The legacy of old-school hip-hop is at stake as new artists redefine the genre." Argument Using "At Stake"…

durchgestochen

Konklave Ein Konklave ist die Versammlung der Kardinäle der römisch-katholischen Kirche zur Wahl eines neuen Papstes. Der Begriff stammt aus dem Lateinischen cum clave („mit Schlüssel“) und bezieht sich darauf, dass die Kardinäle während der Wahl in der Sixtinischen Kapelle eingeschlossen sind, um äußere Einflüsse zu vermeiden. Ablauf eines Konklaves: Eröffnung: Nach dem Tod oder Rücktritt eines Papstes versammeln sich die Kardinäle in Rom. Eid der Geheimhaltung: Die Teilnehmer schwören, keine Informationen nach außen dringen zu lassen. Wahlgänge: Die Wahl erfolgt geheim, mit Stimmzetteln. Ein Kandidat benötigt eine Zweidrittelmehrheit. Schwarzer oder weißer Rauch: Nach jeder Wahl werden die Stimmzettel verbrannt. Schwarzer Rauch bedeutet keine Entscheidung, weißer Rauch signalisiert die Wahl eines neuen Papstes. Habemus Papam: Nach der Wahl verkündet der Kardinalprotodiakon den neuen Papst auf dem Balkon des Petersdoms. Das deutsche Verb „durchstechen“ Das Verb durchstechen bedeutet wörtlich „etwas durchbohren oder durchdringen“. Es kann aber auch eine übertragene Bedeutung haben, insbesondere im politischen oder journalistischen Kontext. Bedeutungen: Wörtlich: „Er durchstach das Papier mit einer Nadel.“ Übertragen: „Geheime Informationen wurden an die Presse durchgestochen.“ → Hier bedeutet „durchstechen“, dass vertrauliche Informationen absichtlich weitergegeben wurden. Konjugation: Präsens: ich durchsteche, du durchstichst, er/sie/es durchsticht Präteritum: ich durchstach, du durchstachst, er/sie/es durchstach Perfekt: ich habe durchstochen Futur I: ich werde durchstechen Mehr zur Konjugation findest du hier oder hier. Interessierst du dich für die Verbindung zwischen „durchstechen“ und dem Konklave, etwa in Bezug auf Geheimnisverrat?…

Canberra

What students should know about the Federal Elections in 2025 in Australia, compared to other nations like USA or Britain or China or France. Outcome still open, as counting continues, however landslide victory of Anthony Albanese (Labour) is secured. International reactions interpret this victory (like the Canadian outcome) as an anti Trump result, as the opposition leader Peter Dutton has used Trump rhetorics and wanted new nuclear power plants plus stopping the renewables and use more coal. Here’s a breakdown of how elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives differ in Australia: 1. House of Representatives Election (Lower House) Seats: 151 (one per electorate, based on population distribution) Voting System: Preferential voting (voters rank candidates in order), for instance 1 to 6. Winner: The candidate with an absolute majority (over 50% of votes after preferences) wins the seat. Government Formation: The party (or coalition) with a majority of seats forms government. Election Cycle: Every three years, though early elections can occur. 2. Senate Election (Upper House) Seats: 76 (12 per state, 2 per territory) Voting System: Proportional representation (voters rank parties or candidates) Winner: Seats are allocated based on vote share, ensuring a mix of major and minor parties. Government Formation: The Senate does not form government but plays a major role in reviewing laws. Election Cycle: Half the Senate is elected every three years, except for territories, which…

Easter 2025

All our best wishes from the Gold Coast, where the light is now as good as gold. No heat, just golden sunshine and photographer‘s delight. Bike Trip | Credit phb Daimler Trucks Gold Coast | Credit phb Bond Uni | Credit phb Das Auto | Credit phb Golden Beaches QLD | Credit phb Paperbark Group | Credit phb Gold Coast Hinterland Views | Credit phb Frohe Ostern und Ostern ist auch in Australien ein Familienfest wie Weihnachten, über alle Religionen hinweg. Alle Menschen dieser Erde wünschen sich Frieden! Nur einige sogenannte Führer wollen den Krieg! Gier und Korruption. Das muss aufhören, und zwar sofort. Updated Easter Sunday 20 Apr 2025. Author and Blogger Peter H Bloecker (Retired). Linked

Easter 2025

All our best wishes from the Gold Coast, where the light is now as good as gold. No heat, just golden sunshine and photographer‘s delight. Bike Trip | Credit phb Daimler Trucks Gold Coast | Credit phb Bond Uni | Credit phb Das Auto | Credit phb Golden Beaches QLD | Credit phb Paperbark Group | Credit phb Gold Coast Hinterland Views | Credit phb Frohe Ostern und Ostern ist auch in Australien ein Familienfest wie Weihnachten, über alle Religionen hinweg. Alle Menschen dieser Erde wünschen sich Frieden! Nur einige sogenannte Führer wollen den Krieg! Gier und Korruption. Das muss aufhören, und zwar sofort. Updated Easter Sunday 20 Apr 2025. Author and Blogger Peter H Bloecker (Retired). Linked

Verbs

Grammar and infinitives The author of this text is Kel Richards (Found in my Mail Box today). OZWORD OF THE DAY: "Split infinitive" In The Weekend Australian I read a review of a book about AI and its disastrous impact on undergraduate student essay writing. The review largely approved of the book, but towards the end the reviewer wrote this: ‘A quibble: throughout the book, he splits more infinitives than Abraham Lincoln split logs. Is a writer of books on writing permitted such literary slovenliness?’ My problem with this assertion is that I don’t think splitting the infinitive is literary slovenliness. I don’t even think it’s wrong! Yes, I know a lot of grammar books over the years have fulminated about this and told us never to split the infinitive. But they were wrong. I shall explain. I suppose I should start by explaining what ‘splitting the infinitive’ means. The infinitive form of any verb is the form that has the preposition ‘to’ in front of it. So, the infinitive form of the walking verb is ‘to walk.’ And every other verb has a similar construction. We talk about the verb ‘to walk’ and then all the tenses it can take—present (‘I walk’) present continuous (‘I am walking’) future (‘I will walk’) past (‘I walked) and so on. But the basic form of the verb, which we call the infinitive form, is ‘to…

Hope

This post is about hope, and why hope dies last. I came across a modern building around Varsity Lakes and notices a big sign: HOPE. Hope | Credit phb Aus Elections 2025 A pastor facing grieving parents after a tragic accident would likely approach the conversation with deep compassion, faith, and honesty. In Christian teachings, suffering is one of the most difficult mysteries to understand, and pastors often turn to scripture and faith to offer comfort. They might acknowledge the raw pain and sorrow, affirming that grief is natural and that God welcomes honest emotions—even anger and confusion. Many pastors would remind the parents that God does not cause suffering but walks with them through it. They might reference passages like Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Hope, in this moment, is not about dismissing grief but about trusting that God’s love remains, even in tragedy. Some pastors might speak about the promise of eternal life, assuring the parents that their child is in God’s embrace. Others might focus on how God can bring healing and purpose even in the darkest times. Ultimately, a pastor would not try to give easy answers but would sit with the parents in their sorrow, offering prayer, presence, and the assurance that they are not alone. You can explore more perspectives on faith and…

Hope

This post is about hope, and why hope dies last. I came across a modern building around Varsity Lakes and noticed a big sign: HOPE. Hope | Credit phb Aus Elections 2025 Hope.Church.Australia Linked A pastor facing grieving parents after a tragic accident would likely approach the conversation with deep compassion, faith, and honesty. In Christian teachings, suffering is one of the most difficult mysteries to understand, and pastors often turn to scripture and faith to offer comfort. They might acknowledge the raw pain and sorrow, affirming that grief is natural and that God welcomes honest emotions—even anger and confusion. Many pastors would remind the parents that God does not cause suffering but walks with them through it. They might reference passages like Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Hope, in this moment, is not about dismissing grief but about trusting that God’s love remains, even in tragedy. Some pastors might speak about the promise of eternal life, assuring the parents that their child is in God’s embrace. Others might focus on how God can bring healing and purpose even in the darkest times. Ultimately, a pastor would not try to give easy answers but would sit with the parents in their sorrow, offering prayer, presence, and the assurance that they are not alone. You can explore more perspectives on…