The Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise Explained
| The Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise |
| Author: | Austin Mitchell |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Publisher: | Whitcombe and Tombs |
| Pub Date: | 1972 |
| Isbn: | 978-0-7233-0349-7 |
| Dewey: | 919.31/03/3027 |
| Congress: | DU427 .M53 |
| Oclc: | 714880 |
The Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise[1] was a popular book by Austin Mitchell, published by Whitcombe and Tombs (Christchurch, 1972), with illustrations by Les Gibbard. It provided a witty, satirical description of life in 1960s New Zealand,[2] and Kiwi culture.
Described as "a celebrated vision of New Zealand as heaven on earth",[3] the book was a great success in New Zealand. The phrase "Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise" soon became part of the New Zealand vernacular, with the term "quarter-acre pavlova paradise" being included in the Dictionary of New Zealand English.[4] Mitchell revisited New Zealand 30 years after writing his original volume, and motivated by the social changes he observed, he penned a sequel entitled Pavlova Paradise Revisited.[5]
Terminology
- "Half Gallon", popularly called the "Half G", was the standard size of a flagon of beer then sold in New Zealand pubs
- "Quarter Acre" referred to the ubiquitous suburban section of land on which most Kiwis built their homes
- "Pavlova", a popular New Zealand dessert
See also
Further reading
Notes and References
- Book: Mitchell . Austin Vernon . The Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise . 1972 . Whitcombe and Tombs . Christchurch . 978-0-7233-0349-7.
- Web site: The 1960s . New Zealand History.
- From Staten Landt to Aotearoa New Zealand: The Naming of 'Pacific's Triple Star' . Tony . Deverson . 3 . NZ Words . 4 . August 2000 . New Zealand Dictionary Centre.
- Book: Orsman . H. W. . 1997 . The Dictionary of New Zealand English: a dictionary of New Zealandisms on historical principles . Auckland . . 978-0-19-558380-9. .
- Book: Mitchell . Austin Vernon . Pavlova Paradise Revisited: A guide to the strange but endearing land where Kiwis live . 2002 . Penguin Books . Auckland . 978-0-14-301826-1.
