http://catallaxyfiles.com/2012/10/20/the-politicisation-of-the-macquarie-dictionary/
Catallaxy Files
Australia's leading libertarian and centre-right blog
The politicisation of the Macquarie Dictionary
The hast in which the Macquarie Dictionary weakened the definition of ‘misogynist’ brings it no credit. It may be a useful reference for Australian words, but I would not rely on Macquarie for international English words such as ‘misogynist’ where Oxford or Websters are held in much higher repute.
The Editor of Macquarie is Susan Butler, and by all accounts she called an urgent meeting of the board of editors specifically to redefine misogyny. This shows appalling judgement – why the urgency to change the meaning, when the premier dictionaries in the world (Oxford and Webster) continue to apply the Greek roots of ‘hatred of women’, the antonym being misandry? All Butler and her fellow editors have achieved is to degrade the reputation of their dictionary and call to attention the arbitrary nature of their work.
The politicisation of a word, that’s it. The rich English language has plenty of words to describe behaviours and thoughts that are anti-women without weakening the strongest word of all. Yet this is by Feminist design – as the word continues to hold its original (and true) sense of hatred of women, it can be used as a label in its weaker sense but which then implies that the target has views in the stronger sense.
If a person is exhibiting sexist behaviour, call him or her sexist, but not misogynist unless there is a genuine hatred of women.
Look at some of the alternate words that can be used: bigot, prejudiced, chauvinist, male chauvinist pig, reactionary, prejudiced, intolerant, etc.
UPDATE
While she is at it, perhaps Susan Butler might care to look at the definition of these two words:
LIE (noun)
1. a false statement made with intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
2. any sentence uttered by Tony Abbott.
TRUTH (noun)
1. that which is true; the true or actual facts of a case: to tell the truth.
2. any sentence uttered by Julia Gillard.
http://www.macmillan.com.au/contact.html