Why is a batch called a batch?

[Ixion]

A possibility. However, "to bach" , as a verb form, was characteristically American. I know of no recorded British usage. It is thus unlikely that it would have been imported into early NZ vernacular. The term "bach" can be dated to the C19 in NZ. Also, the bach was essentially a FAMILY retreat , single men having resort to a "hut" .(Huts could be large, cf the usage 1916-1919 in England for the accomodation quarters of Colonial troops around London)

This is better. Erudite, that's what'll bring the popcorn munchers flocking in.

[warewolf]

"Persistent in its integral importance to New Zealand culture, the primitive hut exists as the bach. Ideologically constructed within notions of a pretended minimalist pragmatism, the bach constructs a stripped domestic economy deprived of feminine excess and civilising tendency - deprived of all accessories."

Emphasis mine. I also liked the comment: New Zealand's "tradition is one of building rather than architecture, a tradition of the unadorned hut."

[MD]

Hope you learned your lesson Big Dave that there is no T in bach, or coffee for that matter. Beers usually a given.
Since my grandparents had a ripper of a bach at Punakaiki when I was growing up, I go with the origin being batchelor pad

[Hillbilly]

OK, how did thongs become jandals?

[James Deuce]

Don't tell him about the strawberries.

[James Deuce]

OK, how did thongs become jandals?

No. How did jandals become thongs?

A thong is butt floss. Jandals have always been jandals.

[Edbear]

The interesting thing, is that New Zealanders, Australians and Americans are principally of English descent, hence supposedly emmigrated speaking the same language from the same country. So it is interesting that there should have developed such differences in vocabulary.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that NZ was the, (freely chosen - read voluntary), destination of the middle and upper classes, the crimials were deported to Australia and the Americans were rebellious and had something against tea...

[apteryx_haasti]

And for your further edification, this entry from the Encyclopedia of New Zealand (www.teara.govt.nz):

For some, a holiday at the beach is spent at the weekend crib or bach. This was a humble dwelling, often with the marks of the home handyman and painted in bright colours. It had old furniture and fading photos, along with collections of shells, discarded jandals, beach equipment and fishing gear. Initially there was little public regulation of these beach houses, and there were few facilities such as piped water or sewerage systems.

However, by the early 2000s the iconic Kiwi bach was fading. In 1989, the re-organisation of the local government brought beach areas under the jurisdiction of regional and district councils, instead of the counties, which had relaxed the rules for beach settlements. The Resource Management Act (1991) and the Coastal Policy Statement (1994) sought to protect beach areas from subdivisions that might harm the environment. The same building standards and facilities, like sewerage and footpaths, were required as in the city.

Further, there was a rush to buy coastal properties, which began to attract huge prices as overseas buyers and the new, urban wealthy looked to purchase their piece of paradise on the coast. Luxurious holiday homes became prominent, and more New Zealanders bought retirement homes close to the beach.

[Whynot]

OK, how did thongs become jandals?

"This sandal is known by different names in different localities:

In New Zealand English they are known generically as jandals (Japanese Sandals), a name used by one manufacturer. However intellectual property law prevented the term Jandals being used when sold in other countries."

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop

[Dai]

Great - now I have to look up 'Cymric'.

I think he means "Welsh" but I thopught the correct spelling was Cymraig.

Cymru is the celtic for Wales.

Dai

[gijoe1313]

From the august electronic edition of Dictionary.com comes this tantalising tidbit.

bach? [bach] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation Informal.
–noun
1. a bachelor.
2. New Zealand. a small weekend or vacation house or shack.
—Idiom
3. bach it, to live alone or share living quarters with someone of the same sex, usually doing one's own housework, cooking, laundry, etc.
[Origin: 1850–55, American; by shortening]

The veracity of this quintessential phenomenon of the NZ holiday mind-set delves into many aspects of that vernacular "Kiwi-ness". The ascribing point that other learned fellows have posited, points to a functionary and utilitarian background that evolved in purpose over time. The discrepancy in the representation of the term "bach" due to influences from socio-economic developments on a micro/macro scale has led to a disempowerment of a growing segment of New Zealanders (to be know hereforth as "Kiwi/Kiwi") in accessing the perceived holiday ideal known as its use in informal/formal situations as the "bach". I can only surmise, with the demise of affordable holdings and the inculcation of Kiwi youth with "getting out to the bach" that there is a tension, which can only resolve itself through the user-pay market situation treadmill, i.e. baches will be a reality only for those families who have ascertained and worked to achieve an income that supports said lifestyle.

The profligate erection of baches has undertaken a transformation in the construction of "super" baches which rivals and exceeds the normal housing stock in "non-holiday" areas (to wit : suburbia). This has seen the demise of the "Pavalova Paradise" dictum (A quarter acre of mortgaged free land with a dwelling that people may reside at their ease within) and passed into the realm that most people shudder at "Rich Man's Playground". It is nice to be in that strata and not worry about the mundanity of the origin of what "bach" espouses. For others who remember how the passing parade of time has prevailed over nostalgic memories of the "bach", there may come a time when our nations command of the coastline is taken out of our hands not withstanding the "Queen's Chain". For now, enjoyment of the function "bach" is a responsibility, privilege and right for all Kiwis to enjoy. The evolving future of this term will definitely be at odds with the realities it is coming under threat lately. As a personal subsumed aside : "Get out there and rark it up at the bach while ye may!"

Your ever 'umble servant (sic)
Tug of the Forelock, guv'ner

[Ixion]

I think he means "Welsh" but I thopught the correct spelling was Cymraig.

Cymru is the celtic for Wales.

Dai

Only if you are Welch.

But I did mis-spell it, left out the 'a', should be cymraic.

The language of early Celtic inhabitants of Britain, which later evolved into Welch.

Goody, does this mean that there is now another Welchman here that I can blame for everything, along with Mr Biff (He's Welch too, y'know, so he's to blame). You don't know anything about my great-many-greats-grandfather's sheep do you? Twas a Welchman stole it.

[SARGE]

From the august electronic edition of Dictionary.com comes this tantalising tidbit.

bach? [bach] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation Informal.
–noun
1. a bachelor.
2. New Zealand. a small weekend or vacation house or shack.
—Idiom
3. bach it, to live alone or share living quarters with someone of the same sex, usually doing one's own housework, cooking, laundry, etc.
[Origin: 1850–55, American; by shortening]

The veracity of this quintessential phenom

***SNIP***

ment of the function "bach" is a responsibility, privilege and right for all Kiwis to enjoy. The evolving future of this term will definitely be at odds with the realities it is coming under threat lately. As a personal subsumed aside : "Get out there and rark it up at the bach while ye may!"

Your ever 'umble servant (sic)
Tug of the Forelock, guv'ner

Christ .. sounds like Ixion and Fish wrote that ...

now i'll have to get the goddamn thesaurus out

[McJim]

Always wondered why Holiday Homes were called Baches
Always wondered why flip flops were called Jandals

This goes some way to explaining the looks of confusion on young kiwi faces in London when no-one understands them.

[SARGE]

Always wondered why Holiday Homes were called Baches
Always wondered why flip flops were called Jandals

This goes some way to explaining the looks of confusion on young kiwi faces in London when no-one understands them.

could be the " Fush n Chups OWWW" accent ..