1940s
Still common
Definition
Nonsense, lies, or exaggeration — a polite euphemism for "bullshit"; also, the fine, powdery dust found on outback roads.
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Where "Bulldust" Comes From
"Bulldust" started out as a literal description: the fine, powdery red dust that builds up on unsealed outback roads, easily kicked into blinding clouds by passing vehicles.
By the 1940s, Australians had also adopted it as a polite stand-in for "bullshit," describing exaggerated stories, excuses, or outright lies without resorting to the cruder word.
Example Sentence
"That excuse is a load of bulldust."
How Aussies Actually Use It
"That's a load of bulldust" is the classic use — calling out something as nonsense, an exaggeration, or a flat-out lie.
The literal sense is still very much alive too, especially among outback drivers, who treat a stretch of bulldust on the road as a genuine hazard.
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