CORRESPONDENCE.
"PURAKAU."
[To The Editor. ]
Sir, — Allow me to enlighten, the A. lainid P. Association on the meaning of the word "poirakau." The word is ipronounced poonra'-kaiu, mot punr'a-kau—the "u" is long. - It means a legend, "korero puirakau" being an old tale, but is uised in the vernacular as meaning a yarn, equal to the .colloquialism, "They're sticking a itale into you," "or "taking a rise out of you" (which the Railway Department probably were doing). It is perhaps from tihis that Mr Summierell got his idea. I have travelled .a good deal over..this Island, and in. different localities I found that it (bad other meanings, for instance.; "A 'wise old sage," "a temple," "a double tooth," "Ithe God of Witchcraft," and it was also the name of an. iniflantatioji which was used to free a canoe from tapu. 'Probably isom© Maori iseholair more. able. than. I am may give you more • information, about it.— I am., etc., " JOHN R. OOLE.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10407, 30 August 1911, Page 5
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161CORRESPONDENCE. "PURAKAU." Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10407, 30 August 1911, Page 5
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