Where “Dunny Budgie” Comes From
“Dunny budgie” is a joking name for a blowfly. “Dunny” is an Australian word for a toilet, and the picture is of a big buzzing fly circling the outdoor dunny like a budgerigar in a cage.
The word belongs to the old days of backyard toilets, and it’s used with a laugh.
“There’s a dunny budgie in the kitchen again.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
You’ll hear it when someone swats a fly at a barbecue or picnic.
In Real Life
Flies are a well-known part of the Australian outdoors, especially in summer and in the country. Big blowflies buzz around food, bins and, in the old days, the backyard dunny. Australians joke about them, and “dunny budgie” is one of the funniest names. Picnic folklore also has the “Aussie salute”, the wave of the hand to shoo flies away from your face.
Quick Questions
Is a dunny budgie a real bird?
No. It’s a joke name for a blowfly.
What’s a blowie?
Another short Aussie name for a blowfly.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: DUN-ee BUD-jee.
In conversation:
- Swat that dunny budgie.
- The dunny budgies were thick at the picnic.
- A dunny budgie landed on my sandwich.
Good to know: It’s a joking bush word. Many Australians now just say “blowie” or “blowfly”.
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