Pavlova judged to be a Kiwi invention
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In news that has made Kiwis all over the world feel vindicated, the often controversial meringue dessert, pavlova, has been declared a New Zealand invention. Australians and New Zealanders have long debated the origin of this tasty treat, but now the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has made a decision for us.
The first recorded pavlova recipe was published in Davis Dainty Dishes, a publication by Davis Gelatine (NZ), in 1927.
The additions to the latest online update to the OED include nearly 1400 words which have some kind of link to New Zealand. They include slang words and nearly 300 words originating from Maori.
Did you know that the made-up malady Mondayitis was a New Zealand invention? The first use of this was in 1979, quite a few years after the Aussies came up with the phrase pulling a sickie in 1953.
Sadly, the Maori words pakaru (meaning broken, not functioning) and the half-English-half-Maori half-pai (incomplete or of a poor standard), were recorded as pukeroo and half-pie. I guess this is all part of the borrowing. For reference, the pai in half-pai is the Maori word for good.
Full article: The New Zealand Herald.