Story Archive

Share a Coke with...

“Kia ora, mate,” said the sign on a Coca Cola vending machine at Auckland Airport. It must have been intended as a bit of local charm. But Auckland is in New Zealand, where they say “bro,” not nearby Australia, where they iconically say “mate.” And while “kia ora” is a Maori greeting, “mate” can be read as a Maori word too: it’s pronounced “ma tay,” and it means “dead” — thus, “Hello, Death.” (AC/Sydney Telegraph) ...What’s Maori for “Hire a local editor”?
Original Publication Date: 21 October 2018
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 25.

Is There a Problem on This Page? Let Me Know using the Help button lower right, and thanks.

I believe humanity is held back by the lack of thinking. I provoke thought with examples of what happens when we don’t think, and when we do. This is True is my primary method: stories like this come out every week by email, and basic subscriptions are free. Click here for a subscribe form.


Search for:

Category: