‘Poofter’ Now A Trifle Muddied (Press, 16 September 1978)

On 16 September 1978, a debate took place in the New Zealand Parliament regarding the use of the term "pooftah," which has been part of the New Zealand vernacular for over 50 years. The term, which may also be spelled as "poofter" depending on the regional dialect, reportedly originated among Wellington primary schoolboys in the 1920s and initially meant "sissy," referring to someone perceived as effeminate. During a lengthy parliamentary debate lasting 21 hours concerning Supplementary Estimates, Mr F. L. Rogers, a member of the Labour Party representing Onehunga, used the term to describe Mr A. G. Malcolm, a National Party member representing Eden. Although Mr Malcolm did not express any offence at the comment, the Chairman of Committees, Mr J. F. Luxton from the National Party in Piako, deemed the term as unparliamentary language. Consequently, he ordered that the term be withdrawn. The ruling reflected the evolving nature of language and societal perceptions, particularly regarding words with homosexual connotations. The traditional understanding of "pooftah" as a mere synonym for "sissy" is now viewed through a different lens, whereby it carries implications associated with homosexuality. This shift in the interpretation of language has led to stricter guidelines against its usage in formal parliamentary settings.

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