WHAT IS A “CUR”?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 4

WHAT IS A “CUR”?

TO THE EDITOR Sjb,—Dr Newlands, in his characteristic genial way, advises Mr Neilson that a little deeper research would have revealed to him the meaning which he intended to convey when he used the offensive term “cur.” He savs he derives it from the foreign word. “ scurra,” which means a buffoon. The terms ot a doctor’s prescription are usually intentionally obscure to the average person, and I confess that 1 thought the word “scurra” bore some relation to Mr John Seurr. What I would like to see made clear is what did Mr Scurr mean when he referred to the bread line, and why should Mr Neilson be called a cur when he trios to throw some light on the subicct?

Dr Nowlands’s quotation from Goldsmith is uncalled for, and docs not define the term “cur.” Of course, every dog has its day, and between you and me and the lamp-post some dogs have their nights out too.

Anyway, iu the name of temperance, why call a decent citizen a cur and offend his numerous friends who regard Mr Peter Neilson as an honourable man? — I am, etc., Goldsmith-Bunks. March 8.