The Matildas waltz in as Australia's Word of the Year

The soaring popularity of the Australian women's soccer team after their semi-final run at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 has seen experts at The Australian National University (ANU) pick Matilda as their Word of the Year.The team name (Matildas, or Tillies for short) and singular form (Matilda) were everywhere as Matildas mania swept the country, with Australians transfixed by every minute of play. The Matildas' semi-final against England was the most-watched TV program in decades in Australia, reaching more than 11 million people.

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The Matildas waltz in as Australia's Word of the Year

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And it's not a waltz, either.