Linguistic shift observed as ‘around’ replaces ‘about’

An analysis of the increasing linguistic trend where the word ‘around’ is being used as a substitute for ‘about’ or ‘of’ in various professional and public contexts.

This shift has been observed in diverse settings, including testimony at the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s Operation Rosny inquiry, media broadcasts, and investigative reports such as the ABC’s Four Corners investigation into affordable housing. The author notes that the usage appears in phrases regarding lobbying, concerns, conflicts of interest, and ministerial discussions, suggesting a decline in linguistic eloquence.