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New Zealand Language 1 Trivia Quiz

As New Zealand has evolved so also has its language. Over time, terms specific to New Zealand (& perhaps Australia) have become recognised and accepted in every day conversation. I have attempted to produce some of the more colourful for this quiz.

A multiple-choice quiz by HerkdaTerk. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
HerkdaTerk

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
309,441

Updated
Aug 19 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
894

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Question 1 of 10

1. If you were asked to "rattle your dags" what would you have to do? Hint

hurry along

deal the playing cards

start playing music

eat your breakfast

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which one of the following would not be worn on the head? Hint

beanies

scarfs

handkerchiefs

jandals

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Question 3 of 10

3. If you asked a New Zealander what he was doing and he replied "making a wigwam for a goose's bridle" what would he be telling you? Hint

He was involved in the saddlery business

He was advising you to mind your own business

He was a poultry farmer

He was inventing a secret product

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Question 4 of 10

4. If something was "on the never never" what would it be? Hint

acquired on the black market

paid for under a hire purchase agreement

given away free of charge

stolen from someone who didnt know it

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following could you wrap your laughing gear around but should avoid? Hint

a snarler

a knuckle sandwich

a cherio

a banger

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Question 6 of 10

6. What would you normally do with a "stubby"? Hint

drink it

drive it

eat it

shoot it

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Question 7 of 10

7. If you were said to have a "rolls kinardly" what would you possess? Hint

a lunchtime hamburger meal

a relative's best sheep

an old motor vehicle

a small motor boat

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Question 8 of 10

8. If you had a meeting at "sparrows" what would it mean? Hint

that it was at a bird sanctuary

that it was at New Zealand's Parliamentary cafeteria

that it was on a pirate ship

that it was early in the morning

9. Words/language from the indigenous people (Maoris) are now integrated into everyday conversation . If you were asked to "attend a powhiri at the kohanga reo and bring your mokopuna" what would you be expected to do? Hint

attend a funeral at the meeting house and bring your tribute

attend a seance at the grave-yard and bring your familiar items

attend a wedding at the new church and bring your songbook

attend a welcome at the pre-school and bring your grandchildren

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Question 10 of 10

10. What does "and Bob's your Uncle" mean? Hint

Robert is your father's brother

that family should come first

that you are adopted

that's all there is to it

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. If you were asked to "rattle your dags" what would you have to do?

Answer: hurry along

New Zealand is a country renowned for its huge population of sheep and a number of slang phrases have derived from sheep farming. When a sheep runs fast, the "dags" (hardened lumps of excrement stuck to its wool) knock together (rattle) hence rattling your dags would happen when you run or hurry.

2. Which one of the following would not be worn on the head?

Answer: jandals

Jandals are also known as Thongs, Sandals or Flip-flops and are worn on the feet. Handkerchiefs knotted on each corner and placed on the head as shade from the sun are a legacy from the English.

3. If you asked a New Zealander what he was doing and he replied "making a wigwam for a goose's bridle" what would he be telling you?

Answer: He was advising you to mind your own business

This phrase is also used by Australians and can be traced back to at least 1836. Generally used by parents when faced with endless questions from their children as to "What are you doing?" It is intended as a farcical answer to discourage further enquiry.

4. If something was "on the never never" what would it be?

Answer: paid for under a hire purchase agreement

The "never never" comes from the feeling with hire purchase agreements that you keep paying but never seem to get the bill paid off because of the interest that accrues on the debt/loan.

5. Which of the following could you wrap your laughing gear around but should avoid?

Answer: a knuckle sandwich

Wrapping your laughing gear around something means to eat. Snarlers and Bangers are sausages while a Cherio is a small cocktail sausage. A knuckle sandwich on the other hand is a punch/blow generally to the mouth.

6. What would you normally do with a "stubby"?

Answer: drink it

A stubby is a small bottle of beer. Although in the 1970s "Stubbies" were a brand of short tight pants/trousers that had an elastic waist band and were almost a one-size-fits-all garment. Fun is now poked at Stubbies by portraying them as extremely tight fitting short pants worn by men with large beer stomachs.

7. If you were said to have a "rolls kinardly" what would you possess?

Answer: an old motor vehicle

The phrase comes from describing your car as being able to roll down the hill but it can hardly make it up the other side. The description of an old car can also be a "rust-bucket".

8. If you had a meeting at "sparrows" what would it mean?

Answer: that it was early in the morning

Sparrows comes from cockney rhyming slang being sparrows fart or early start or up when the sparrows wake up.
Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' doesn't feature.
The Parliamentary cafeteria is Bellamy's.

Answer: attend a welcome at the pre-school and bring your grandchildren

A Tangi is a funeral and a meeting house is a Marae, while a tribute or donation is a Koha.

A wedding is Marena, a church is a Whare Karakia (house of prayer) while song is Waiata and book Pukapuka.

A graveyard is Urupa and familiar items could be said to be personal treasures or Taonga.

10. What does "and Bob's your Uncle" mean?

Answer: that's all there is to it

Generally used when you have been telling someone how to complete a task and you finish with "and Bob's your Uncle" meaning it's easy and that's all that is required - it's all done!

Source: Author HerkdaTerk

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