The Half Gallon Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise

The Half Gallon Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise 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, and Kiwi culture. Described as "a celebrated vision of New Zealand as heaven on earth" [1], the book naturally became a great success in New Zealand. The phrase "Half Gallon Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise" soon became part of New Zealand English, with the term "quarter acre pavlova paradise" included in the Dictionary of New Zealand English.

"Half Gallon" hinted at the then standard distribution method of beer in New Zealand
"Quarter Acre" referred to the ubiquitous suburban section of land on which most Kiwis built their homes
"Pavlova" references a dessert recipe well-known in New Zealand

Reference

NZWords (http://www.vuw.ac.nz/lals/research/nzdc/NZWords%20no4.pdf) pamphlet, pages 3,4 (no. 4, August 2000), by Tony Deverson and the New Zealand Dictionary Centre.

Categories: New Zealand culture | New Zealand literature

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