The word Straya has its gritty defenders. An ABC broadcaster, Nick Healey, recently claimed Australians look lovingly upon “Straya”. A caller, Wayne, countered that we should all be able to enunciate the name of the country in which we live. Our host got him off the line, and the next caller sang from the Strayan songbook. Round one, Straya.

Let’s face it, the Snowy Hydro wasn’t built on elocution. We Australians do have our own way with words and they can have their undeniable charm.

Is our inability to pronounce Australia properly at one with our inability choose an Australian head of state or a modern flag? Credit:Chris Hopkins

We are world beaters at abbreviation. Devastated becomes devo, as in: “We’ll be devo if you can’t make the barbie this arvo.” If you really can’t make it, “No wuzzers, Tommo.” (Or for the profane: “No wukkers.”) How many countries can synthesize a national philosophy into two words?

Some of our putdowns are inspired: “The bloke’s a drongo. He’s a snag short of a barbie.” “Mate, you’re as rough as a goat’s knees.”