porangi

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

adj.


Maori word for sad,sorry, or sick; cranky.

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,'vol. i. p. 137:

«The combatants . . . took especial pains to tell us thatit was no fault of ours, but the porangi or `foolishness'of the Maori.»

Ibid. vol. ii. p. 238:

«Watanui said E Abu was porangi, `a fool.'»

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 435:

«`Twas nothing – – he was not to mind her – – she

Was foolish – – was ` porangi' – – and would be

Better directly – – and her tears she dried.»

1882. R. C. Barstow, `Transactions of New ZealandInstitute,' vol. xv. art. liii. p. 423:

«A man who told such marvellous stories that he was deemedto be porangi or insane.»