2007 Kiwi Lingo


          This was another one of those fun issues which NZ Post has created over recent years. In this case it is looking at some of the 'kiwi' slang we use in our everyday speech here in New Zealand. Over the years we have developed our own unique way of saying things which can be confusing for people from other countries at first. This sheet includes 20 of the most well known although there are many others which could have been included.
        The twenty stamps each carry the same value of 50c and can be ripped from the sheet if required although I would expect most collectors would rather keep them together in the one attractive sheet. Each stamp includes the slang saying on the left-hand side with a related kiwi icon below. On the right-hand side the stamp appears to be left blank but this is actually an area of thermo-chromic ink which becomes transparent when heat is applied, like the warmth of a finger, then the literal meanings are revealed. These are impossible to show in a photo so I have included them under each stamp below the sheet.  


This is the full sheet showing all 20 stamps.
                                      
"Good as gold"                                                                             "Sweet as"
Well done, or that's fine.                                                                    OK. no problem.
                                       
"She'll be right"                                                                              "Hissy fit"
Things will work themselves out.                                                 Lose your temper so bad
                                                                                                         you lose the plot. 

                                        
"Sparrow fart"                                                                                  "Cuz"
So early even the birds are asleep.                                        Like one of the family -
                                                                                                                 might be, might not.

                                        
"Away laughing"                                                                           "Tiki tour"
    On a roll, things happening.                                         Show you around, or take your time. 

                                        
"Away with the fairies"                                                                    "Wop wops"
Someone who is more than                                                             The back of beyond.
a little vague.                                                                              

                                        
"Hard yakka"                                                                     "Cods wollop"
Hard slog, tough work,                                                               Lie, exaggeration
          all sweat and muscle.                                                                    complete falsehood.

                                        
"Boots and all"                                                                             "Shark and taties"
           Give something everything.                                                                   Fish and chips.

                                        
"Knackered"                                                                           "Laughing gear"
So tired you're barely                                                                                   Mouth.
able to stand.                                                                                          

                                        
"Everyman and his dog"                                                                     "Bit of a dag"     
Absolutely everyone you could think of.                       Colourful character, comedian, joker.

                                        
"Dreaded lurgy"                                                                              "Rark up"
Cold or the flu.                                                                    Give someone a piece
                                                                                                                   of you mind.

Technical information

          Date of issue:
4 July 2007
          Number of stamps:
20
          Denominations:
20 designs, one denomination 50c
          Stamps and first day cover designed by:       Alan Hollows, Stamps Business, Wellington
          Printer and process: 
Southern Colour Print by offset lithography
          Number of colours:
Four process colours plus thermochromic ink
          Stamp size and format:
40mm x 30mm
          Paper type:
Tullis Russell 104 gsm red phosphor stamp paper
          Number of stamps per sheet:
20
          Perforation gauge:
14 x 14
          Period of sale:
These stamps remained on sale until 3 July 2008.


Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their web site and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

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