'Hori' contemptuous term—O.E.D.

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 2

'Hori' contemptuous term—O.E.D.

NZPA Londor The word “Hori” is a contemptuous term for a Maori — and that’s official. The definition will appear in a new supplement to the Oxford English Dictionary, accepted as one of the most authoritative references, to be published in October. It is undoubtedly derogatory, the New Zealandborn editor of the supple-

ment and chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (Mr Robert Burchfield) said yesterday. Commenting on the controversy about the meaning of the word, after its use in Parliament by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Trade and Industry (Mr Allen), Mr Burchfield said: “This word is potential dynamite. I personally deplore its use, but as dictionary makers we do not omit such words.” Mr Burchfield said its

appearance in the second volume of the supplement to the O.EJ). would be its debut in any Oxford Dictionary. It did not appear in the supplement of Australian and New Zealand words to the fifth edition of the Pocket Oxford Dictionary published in 1969. “But we endeavour to make the dictionaries as comprehensive as possible, and it will be in the new supplement,” he said. Born in Wanganui, Mr Burchfield was made a

Commander of the British Empire last year for his work. “Hori” was originally the Maori form ofGeorge. The first printed example he had found was In 1933 , when it appeared in a book called “Half-Caste,” by F. E. Baume. The new supplement will quote the following extract from the book: “Hori, he said to Paul (as a Negro is Sambo, a Maori Is Hori to the poor white), you like a drink, eh?”

“From this it appears that the word is at least 40 years old, but it is often difficult to trace first printed examples of words. I would guess its use began In the *tOs,” said Mr Burchfield.

In Parliament on July ft the Speaker (Sir Roy Jack) ruled that a prima facie breach of privilege had been made out against Mr Allen, who had admitted that, he used the word “Hori” to Mr P. B. Reweti (Lab., Eastern Maori).