There really is no accent on the planet quite like an Australian accent. Except, maybe, the New Zealander accent. OOOOOH.
The distinctive twang of the Aussie is renowned across the globe, thanks in part to the likes of Paul Hogan, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and the cast of Round The Twist and Home & Away.
However, a lecturer at Victoria University who lectures on public speaking and communication believes that the accent has somewhat dubious roots.
According to Dean Frenkel, the Australian accent descends from alcohol. "Our forefathers regularly got drunk together and through their frequent interactions unknowingly added an alcoholic slur to our national speech patterns."
"Aussie-speak developed in the early days of colonial settlement from a cocktail of English, Irish, Aboriginal and German - before another mystery influence was slipped into the mix."
The mystery influence being lots and lots of booze, of course. Frenkel believes that Australians are speaking at two-thirds their capacity and is calling for schools to teach verbal expression and delivery as part of the national curriculum.
Stone the flamin' crows, ay?
Via TheAge.com.au