Stamp Tiki Tour Is Hard Yakka But Bit Of A Dag

4 July 2007

Stamp Tiki Tour Is Hard Yakka But Bit Of A Dag

If you wake up at sparrow's fart, are away with the fairies, get stuck in boots and all, or are prone to throwing a hissy fit you are, like the latest issue of New Zealand Post stamps, a classic Kiwi.

New Zealand Post says the fact New Zealand vernacular is logical, lucid and comprehensible to Kiwis but illogical, ambiguous and incomprehensible to other nationalities, is something to celebrate.

The new stamps have an added twist - people can rub off the black mark to reveal the definition of the expressions.

Chosen from myriad slang terms developed over the years which have become code for activities such as getting up at dawn, throwing oneself into an activity enthusiastically, going somewhere far far away or losing one's temper, the Classic Kiwi stamp issue shows New Zealanders are masters of the understatement.

Victoria University linguist and lexicographer Doctor John Macalister says while New Zealanders and Australians share many expressions, there is still a distinct New Zealand lexicon.

"The most distinctive feature of New Zealand English is definitely the contribution of Maori words, and their increasing presence. It's so common that we stop noticing things like news broadcasts beginning with kia ora or haere mai, but it certainly strikes visitors to the country."

New Zealand Post stamps general manager Ivor Masters says it was "hard yakka" choosing from the many expressions New Zealanders have made their own.

"It was a really fascinating process - we developed the list by going through loads of books and dictionaries and then whittled the list down to what we felt were still most commonly used. There are many more out there and this list is the tip of the iceberg."

Dr Macalister, who also wrote the Dictionary of Maori Words in New Zealand English, agrees.

"Language and words are dynamic and change all the time. In ten years time we may not use half of these expressions and may have replaced some words with others. In many ways the public is an arbiter of language and words, because if words and expressions aren't used, they become arcane and our dictionary changes.

"It's a really fascinating area and I hope more New Zealanders will become a little more interested in language as a result of these stamps."

The stamps will be available for purchase from July 4 at all New Zealand Postshops, Real Aotearoa stores in Christchurch and Auckland, the Wanganui Stamp Centre and online at www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps

ENDS

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