First used in print in 1952, the word is believed to be derived from the much older 'dunnakin' (also spelled 'dunnigin'), possibly from the french word Dunegan meaning privy.

(Can you really see some Frenchman sitting in one of these things??)

They are commonly seen on construction sites like ours and, if serviced weekly, one Dunny per every ten workers is needed in order to meet minimum health standards. 'Serviced' means the can is emptied, the stall is hosed down, and the soap and (hopefully) the toilet paper is refreshed.

As soon as your Dunny is 'serviced' get there quick, and then don't go again for the remainder of the week. The woods is always an option.

Only a few things can go wrong with a Dunny so, in theory, at least, they are pretty efficient contraptions. Practically, though, their p-e-r-f-u-m-e is pungent depending upon the typical menu for the day amongst workers. Dr. Ellen prefers to use words like stench, reek, and stink to describe the Dunny's odorant molecules but, hey.

What kinds of things can go wrong with a Dunny? Well, someone's lunch might evacuate a bit prematurely, before the lid is fully activated. That's not too good. Also, the last person in there might have used all the toilet paper, tack hard as it is. The little urinal can fill up with a host of wiggly things, including but not limited to, organic compounds that appear invisible but wreck havoc on an otherwise healthy constitution.

Scientifically, the perception of an odor effect is a two-step process according to Wikipedia. First, there is the physiological part; the sense of the stimulus by receptors in the nose. After that, it says, the psychological part follows. The stimuli are processed by the region of the brain that is responsible for smelling and this is where the r-e-a-l issues emerge (pardon the pun).

Dr. Ellen hates to get such a close-up and personal view of the contents of others' bowels but, since this is a fairly common insight at a construction site, she is willing to offer up some timely observations:

(1) Men who eat large lunches evacuate largely.

(2) Men who eat canned chili con carne with coleslaw should never be followed into the Dunny.

(3) Fruits and vegetables are not staples in the diet of the average construction worker, even supervisors.

(4) Old and young men alike are unskilled at nailing even a 14-inch target.

(5) Between the smell and the sanitary condition, the choice of relieving yourself immediately or holding on for the next opportunity can be a difficult one (NOT).

(6) Most Dunnies have a handle on the door that you can hold onto, so that you can levitate a few inches above the seat without touching it. Some people don't, however, and they ruin the potty experience for everyone else. If you can't do it responsibly, don't do it.

(7) A few quick match strikes will kill almost any smell but be sure not to drop the match into the methane heavy hole.


*You can enjoy more of Dr. Ellen's Aussie humor and images at www.2DocStock.com