NewsBite

Advertisement

David Astle is the crossword compiler and Wordplay columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He is a broadcaster on ABC Radio Melbourne.

From flimp to frop: The deliciously sneaky art of coining words
Opinion
WordPlay

From flimp to frop: The deliciously sneaky art of coining words

When words fall short, we have no choice but to fill the spaces left.

  • by David Astle

Latest

The most unexpected way influencers are influencing us
Opinion
WordPlay

The most unexpected way influencers are influencing us

It’s all very demure, very mindful.

  • by David Astle
Macquarie’s word of the year is the perfect emblem for a grim era
Opinion
WordPlay

Macquarie’s word of the year is the perfect emblem for a grim era

Over two hours, the panel – myself included – whittled a 65-word longlist down to one worthy winner.

  • by David Astle
After this blunder, I’m now looking sideways at every word I presume to know

After this blunder, I’m now looking sideways at every word I presume to know

It was a query from an editor that made me reconsider everything.

  • by David Astle
From Klingon to Elvish, what’s your favourite made-up language?
Opinion
WordPlay

From Klingon to Elvish, what’s your favourite made-up language?

Because sometimes it’s words that help make the make-believe more believable.

  • by David Astle
A ban on saying ‘no worries’? They don’t understand
Opinion
WordPlay

A ban on saying ‘no worries’? They don’t understand

First they came for rizz, sus, iconic and artisanal – now they’re coming for a phrase we need.

  • by David Astle
Advertisement
Haitch is for horrified: How my column launched a H-bomb
Opinion
WordPlay

Haitch is for horrified: How my column launched a H-bomb

The haitch vs aitch debate is far from settled.

  • by David Astle
Here, there and everywhen: The English language has a tense problem
Opinion
WordPlay

Here, there and everywhen: The English language has a tense problem

What do you do when the past, present and future collide all at once?

  • by David Astle
The great divide: how do you pronounce the letter H?

The great divide: how do you pronounce the letter H?

There are two kinds of people in this world. Aitchers and haitchers.

  • by David Astle
From bogan to susso, the 100 words that define Australia

From bogan to susso, the 100 words that define Australia

From hoon to halal snack pack, this book records the unique, sacrosanct, larrikin, evolving dialect we share.

  • by David Astle
What do you call a cardboard box designer? You ask, we try to answer

What do you call a cardboard box designer? You ask, we try to answer

Some suggestions: paper-shaper, a cubist, a cartonist, a cat-home architect, a crease monkey, a chairman of the board, a manila folder and a Pratt.

  • by David Astle

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/by/david-astle-p4yw3m