cock-a-bully

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n. a popular name for the NewZealand fish Galaxias fasciatus, Gray, a corruption ofits Maori name Kokopu (q.v.).


1896. `The Australasian,' Aug. 28, p. 407, col. 3:

«During my stay in New Zealand my little girl caught a fishrather larger than an English minnow. Her young companionscalled it a `cock-a bully.' It was pretty obvious to scenta corruption of a Maori word, for, mark you, cock-a-bully hasno meaning. It looks as if it were English and full of meaning.Reflect an instant and it has none. The Maori name for the fish is `kokopu'»

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