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Just what the doctor ordered Book by Howard William Steer

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED – A GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN IDIOM – Howard Steer Book – BOOK

Original price was: $90.00.Current price is: $77.00.

Just what the Doctor Ordered – A guide to the Australian Idiom is the first book by Howard William Steer (artist) and Peter J. Nicholson (author/publisher). It’s 204 full colour pages containing Steer’s paintings and over 1000 colourful sayings and phrases of Australian idiom. It’s presented beautifully bound in a hard cover with a dust jacket and slip case. The perfect gift or addition to your book collection.

“A measure of rebelliousness, the frustrations of a young colony, the crudity and swearwords used, and an appetite for sexual innuendo have all contributed to the mix,” writes the author in the introduction, adding that while no offence is intended, the reader is warned if content is offensive.

The book offers Australian idioms and meanings in alphabetical order, such as argue the toss (dispute the matter), backhander (bribe) and cactus (defunct, broken). Steer’s illustrations are in outback colours of ochre earth and blue sky, and are a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of phrases. For instance, “they’ve lost the plot” is illustrated as a church minister confused as to his choice of burial plots and “Miner’s buck’s night” is a bawdy shot of lads playing it up at a mine site.

The back of the book includes an overview of Australian legends, such as Phar Lap, Banjo Paterson and Ned Kelly. This book celebrates an era of Australian lingo and knowledge that is fast disappearing.


Description

Just What the Doctor Ordered – A Guide to the Australian Idiom
by Howard William Steer and Peter J. Nicholson

Celebrate the colour and character of Australian language with Just What the Doctor Ordered – A Guide to the Australian Idiom. This engaging book features original paintings by Broken Hill artist Howard William Steer, paired with humorous explanations of classic Australian sayings and expressions. Published by Watermark Publishing, it is both entertaining and distinctly Australian.

About the Book

This unique volume combines fine art with language and storytelling. Each painting by Howard William Steer brings an Australian idiom to life. Alongside the artwork, readers will find light-hearted explanations that explore the meaning and origin of familiar sayings.

From colourful bush expressions to everyday phrases, the book captures the wit and warmth of Australian speech. Steer’s exaggerated characters and lively scenes add visual humour to every page. As a result, the idioms become memorable, relatable, and fun to read.

The Artist’s Style

Howard William Steer is known for his vibrant depictions of Outback life. He uses bold colour, expressive figures, and strong composition to reflect the spirit of rural Australia. His work celebrates resilience, humour, and community.

A Distinctive Australian Gift Book

More than an art book, Just What the Doctor Ordered is a joyful tribute to Australian language and culture. Perfect as a gift or keepsake, it offers laughter, insight, and beautiful artwork in one collectable edition.

Additional information

Weight 0.5 lbs
Dimensions 29.2 × 31 × 0.5 cm

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