The words and phrases, however, are what will primarily interest the user of this phrase book. And most of the core Australian words and idioms are here. I'm feeling like a shag on a rock', 'get a guernsey', 'send her down, Hughie', 'rattle your dags'. These, and hundreds more, are explained. But it doesn't miss the everyday words which might confuse a tourist.
Visitors are often surprised and baffled by the variety.
There are some occasional lapses. Two of the common idioms I missed were 'don't come the raw prawn' and 'down the gurgler'. At times it's hinted that this is one of the book's aims. Indeed it is difficult to explain the contexts in which might use some of the more colourful phrases. Take 'dryness', for example.