The Macquarie Dictionary (www.macquariedictionary.com.au) has included on its web site an Australian Book of Slang. Australians are well-known for their traditional slang expressions such as "mate" and "sheila". We are also famous for our rhyming slang. We hit the "frog and toad" (road) when we travel by car, we eat "dead horse" (tomato sauce) on our food and we have a "captain cook" (look) at the scenery as we go by.

The Macquarie Dictionary Book of Slang seeks to completely record informal Australian English. This is so that the rich history of unique Australian expression is kept alive against the influx of Americanisms and other influences. Not only does the Book of Slang record traditional Aussie slang, but also rhyming slang, schoolyard slang, bikie slang, skater slang, geek speak, kids' speak, and more. It is a complete record, so be aware that some terms and explanations may be sexually explicit, racist, and offensive.

Another record of unique Australian English is the joint project between the Macquarie Dictionary and ABC Online. It is called the Australian Word Map and can be found via the Macquarie Dictionary site at www.macquariedictionary.com.au, or at ABC Online - abc.net.au/wordmap. As the Macquarie site asks: do you wear your cossie, swimmers or togs to the beach?

It has usually been that people in different states have different names for the same item. However, judging by the comments submitted to the Word Map, this is no longer, or never truly has been, the case. For example, a pronunciation of a term I always thought of as synonymous with Bundaberg - the word 'film' pronounced as 'fillum' - seems to have been in use elsewhere in the country as well. It just goes to show how easy it is for the origins of words and meanings to be lost over the passage of time and how important it is to record such history.

If you are at all interested in the history and preservation of our language, have a look at these two sites. You may even be able to contribute something to the Australian Word Map.