‖gompou, noun
/ˈxɔmpəʊ/
- Forms:
- gompaauw, gom pauShow more Formerly also gompaauw, gom pau, gompauw.
- Plurals:
- unchanged.
- Origin:
- Afrikaans, South African Dutch, DutchShow more Afrikaans (earlier South African Dutch gompaauw), gom gum + pou (from Dutch pauw) peacock; see quotation 1936.
The kori, Ardeotis kori.
1867 E.L. Layard Birds of S. Afr. 283The ‘Gom-Paauw’..is a noble bird, and when seen stalking about in its proper haunts, affords a sight to a hunter’s eyes never to be forgotten.
1887 S.W. Silver & Co.’s Handbk to S. Afr. 176The largest of these is the Kori Bustard or ‘Gom Paauw’ (Eupodotis cristata, Scop.) the adult male of which often weighs from 30 to 35 lbs.
1905 W.L. Sclater in Flint & Gilchrist Science in S. Afr. 143The Bustards (Otidae) are represented by..twelve species, ranging from the large Gom Pauw (Otis kori), the male of which sometimes weighs as much as 40 lbs. to the smaller Knorhaan (Otis afra).
1920 F.C. Cornell Glamour of Prospecting 79The larger variety, known as the gom paauw, often weighs from 30 to 40 lb., and has been recorded up to 50 lb or more.
1936 E.L. Gill First Guide to S. Afr. Birds 150The name Gom Pou reflects the general belief that this Bustard is particularly fond of the gum that exudes from certain thorn trees.
1948 A.C. White Call of Bushveld 236Kori bustards, better recognised by their South African name, gom pau, are magnificent game birds.
1964 L.G. Green Old Men Say 100Quaggas and the huge gamebirds called gompou were sometimes available but were never common.
1974 J.M. Coetzee Dusklands 127A bustard (gompou, Otis kori)..perished in a hail of smallshot and pebbles from Klawer’s piece. This bustard is alas nearly extinct.
1981 Zimbabwe WildlifeJuneOne can still find old ‘Boere’ recipes for preparation of the ‘Gom Paauw’.
The kori, Ardeotis kori.
Copyright © 2019 Dictionary Unit for South African English.
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