More kiwi stuff - sorted

In New Zealand, people are always getting things "sorted." Straightened out, organized. (Origin: middle English, from Old French sorte, ultimately from Latin, sors, sortis, lot, condition. ) At first, of course, I thought they were saying "sordid." (Latin sordidus, from sordere, be dirty.) It would be easy enough for me to say, "I've gotten my life all sordid," but it's hard for me to imagine my life all sorted.

At the Post Shop (which we know as Post Office) where they do everything, including helping you carry heavy packages out to the car, there was a sign that said, "Get your rego sorted here." I had to ask. In their way of shortening every possible word, "rego" meant "registration," as in your automobile registration. Yes, they do that, too. You can register your car, pay your license fees, etc.