‘Shirtfront’ in dictionary after Abbott’s warning to Putin
25 Nov 2014 11:46 PM GMT
The Australian prime minister’s threat to ‘shirtfront’ Russia’s president during an international summit this month has prompted a dictionary to broaden its definition of the word beyond an illegal football maneuver.
Russian officials ridiculed the threat made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a news conference last month, warning that President Vladimir Putin was a judo expert.
Susan Butler, editor of the Macquarie Dictionary, the definitive authority on Australian English, said Monday that the controversy made editors realize the word had taken on a broader meaning in recent decades than just an Australian football term for a shoulder charge to an opponent’s chest.
Starting in January, the Macquarie Dictionary online will offer alternative definitions of ‘shirtfront,’ including ‘to confront someone with a complaint or grievance.’
Russian officials ridiculed the threat made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a news conference last month, warning that President Vladimir Putin was a judo expert.
Susan Butler, editor of the Macquarie Dictionary, the definitive authority on Australian English, said Monday that the controversy made editors realize the word had taken on a broader meaning in recent decades than just an Australian football term for a shoulder charge to an opponent’s chest.
Starting in January, the Macquarie Dictionary online will offer alternative definitions of ‘shirtfront,’ including ‘to confront someone with a complaint or grievance.’
Next Story
