Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

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

"The combatants . . . took especial pains to tell us that it 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 `<i>porangi</i>'—and would be
Better directly—and her tears she dried."

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

"A man who told such marvellous stories that he was deemed to be porangi or insane."

<hw>Porcupine, Ant-eating</hw>, i.q. <i>Echidna</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Porcupine-Bird</hw>, <i>n</i>. a bird inhabiting the <i>Porcupine-Grass</i> (q.v.) of Central Australia; the <i>Striated Grass Wren</i>, <i>Amytis striata</i>, Gould. See <i>Wren</i>.