morepork UK /ˈmɔːpɔːk/US /ˈmɔɹˌpɔ(ə)ɹk/noun 4exclamation 1forms 1 noun4 •(New-Zealand) a small brown owl of New Zealand and Tasmania, known for its repeated call of two notes heard at night[T]he eye of the Morepork or Greater Night Jarr,^([sic]) which I lately had the opportunity of examining, is wonderfully adapted for enabling it to see the insects in the dark, on which it feeds. — 1843 •(informal, offensive) Used as a mild term of abuse. •(Australia, informal) a person who annoys others by being stupid or boringIt is interesting that the Opposition morepork is starting to chirp. [...] We have all heard about the "gang of four and a half"—the morepork brigade. — 1985 •(Australia, informal) a person who moves or works much too slowly, often because they are lazy, a slowpokeWhere's that old morepoke? O, you're there, are you? Fetch the jack off o' your wagon—come! fly roun'! you're (very) slow for a young fellow. — 1903 exclamation1 •The call of a morepork.‘I assure you. I do rather a good morepork.’ Bernard sat up, straightened his shoulders. ‘More pork. More pork.’ — 1992 formsmoreporks
