Dunny
Meaning
In Australian slang, a dunny is an outdoor toilet or an outhouse, though it can also refer to any toilet.
Origin
The humble Australian 'dunny' traces its roots back to 19th-century British slang. It’s a shortening of 'dunnakin' or 'dunnekin,' a term used in thieves' cant for an outdoor privy. This peculiar word itself is a blend of 'dun'—possibly related to 'dung' or 'dark'—and 'ken,' meaning a house or dwelling. As British convicts and settlers arrived in Australia, they brought 'dunnakin' with them, which naturally evolved into the more casual, distinctly Aussie 'dunny' to describe the ubiquitous outdoor lavatories found across the continent. It’s a perfect example of how language adapts to new environments, shedding formality for a rugged, no-nonsense charm.
Examples
- Before they had indoor plumbing, everyone had to make the trek out to the dunny, especially on a cold night.
- The old farmhouse still had a classic corrugated iron dunny down the back of the yard.