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Numbers | 14:39 Thu 11th Dec 2003 | Phrases & Sayings
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What's the derivation of the Australian term 'dunny'? It never really struck me until visiting a public convenience in Wales once and reading 'Dynion' over the door, which would be pronounced as 'dunnion' to English ears. Another one for the venerable QM?
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In 18th century England, a 'dunnakin' was a toilet, probably based on 'dung' and 'ken', slang for a house. It is not certain, but that is believed to be the source of 'dunny'.
Ken is possibly here as slang for outhouse, not an actual house, and is probably where kennel is derived, as well as 'the can'.
18th century 'dung-house' is just the equivalent of the modern-day phrase we sometimes use when referring to a bulky, rugby-player type man...ie that he is "built like a brick outhouse", except that we don't say "out"!

'Ken' meant 'house' in the general sense as long ago as the 1500s, particularly one in which thieves and vagabonds lived. Such a reputation for insalubrity/disreputability obviously made it an easy choice when it was later needed to refer to a toilet.

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