When you hear the word 'wops' in New Zealand, it's likely not about insects, and definitely not about a pleasant stroll. While 'wop' itself is a deeply offensive racial slur, particularly targeting men from Southern Europe and especially Italy, its plural form, 'wops,' has taken on a distinctly Kiwi flavour.
In the colourful lexicon of New Zealand slang, 'wops' (or more commonly, 'wop-wops') refers to the remote, sparsely populated areas of the country. Think of it as the New Zealand equivalent of 'the back of beyond,' 'the sticks,' or 'nowhereville.' It conjures images of vast, open landscapes, perhaps a bit isolated, where life moves at a different pace. It's where you might go if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle, or perhaps where you end up if you're not exactly living in the heart of the city.
It's fascinating how words can evolve, isn't it? The original, offensive meaning of 'wop' – a derogatory term rooted in historical prejudice – has, in a specific New Zealand context, been repurposed. Here, 'wop-wops' is more about geography and a certain way of life than about ethnicity. It’s a term used informally, often with a touch of wry humour, to describe places that are far from the urban centres, perhaps a little rustic, and definitely off the beaten track.
So, if a New Zealander mentions heading out to the 'wop-wops,' they're probably not referring to any entomological classification of wasps (though 'wops' can indeed be the plural of 'wop' meaning wasp in some contexts, as noted in broader English dictionaries). Instead, they're likely packing their bags for a trip to the countryside, to a place that’s a good distance from anywhere, a true slice of the New Zealand backblocks.
