They're doing WHAT?

While reading news.com today I came across an article on the ‘quintessential Aussie words’ that Microsoft is planning to include in its 2007 Microsoft Office System.

(Sorry – still no clue how to link, but it’s not hard to find the article if you haven’t read it. Actually, can anyone tell me how to link??? This is getting ridiculous. Ta)

Anyway, Microsoft got together a ‘panel of experts’ to decide which words should possibly be included… I have no idea who the hell these people talk to that they think these words are in such common use that they should be recognized by the spell check facility, but frankly, I’m disturbed.

Does anyone actually use ‘cooee’ ??? Ridgy-didge??? Bonza (of the ‘shit hot’ variety, I presume)??? Motza???? Sheila??? or Dinky-di??? And does anyone other then Alf Stewart use the word ‘Galah’ in any fashion other then to describe a particular form of avian species? And even if you are using it to denote a particular form of avian species, how often do you actually use it unless you are a vet, national parks ranger or a bird – errr - avian watcher???? Sheesh.

I live in hope that the people who do use those words regularly are the ones that can't afford a computer.

You can vote at http://www.microsoft.com.au/ as to which words (if any) you think should be included to facilitate the further mutilation of our language.