KEY POINTS:
Heat up the latest stamps from New Zealand Post to find the true meaning of "cods wollop".
The Classic Kiwi stamps series - due for release on July 4 - pays tribute to 20 Kiwi sayings including "cods wollop" (exaggeration, complete falsehood), "hissy fit" (lose your temper so badly you lose the plot), "sparrow fart" (so early even the birds are asleep), and "wop-wops" (the back of beyond).
But the translations are hidden by black heat-sensitive ink, so you have to heat up the black portion of the stamp to find the proper translations.
NZ Post stamps and collectibles general manager Ivor Masters says the stamps are already causing a bit of a stir among collectors.
"They've proven to be popular for those who have already seen them, and a lot of collectors are already placing orders," he said.
NZ Post had gathered a collection of Kiwi sayings from books, stories and people's suggestions.
"After we had a bigger list compiled, we chose what we thought were the best 20 sayings.
"The role of the stamp is not only to pay for postage, but to represent the culture and heritage of New Zealand as well as be of interest to the nation as a whole. We felt this particular approach was rather fun and unique, and pretty innovative in the way they are being presented."
He said the ink is a commonly-used innovation that can be found on battery testers, food wrappers and cups.
"We've used the heat-sensitive ink before: last year on gold rush stamps, which had a pan on them and, when heated, gold nuggets were revealed. But this is another advance on that."
He paid apt tribute to comedian John Clarke, who brought Kiwi slang to television screens nationwide through his alter ego Fred Dagg. One of the sayings is "a bit of a dag".
If they're a hit, expect more stamps that use heat-and-show, Mr Masters said.
