A few weeks ago, a young boy was visiting Redhead’s house and he asked to use the “ dunny. “
It struck me as amusing as I would have used the word “ toilet “ or “ bathroom “ or
restroom “ or perhaps even “ go somewhere. “
Our toilet habits are something we all share, but we DON’T Share. At least, not in today’s modern times.
So it started me on one of my many voyages down rabbit holes to discover the evolution of the toilet and how it has grown from a natural bodily function into a multi million dollar business and a movement ( pun intended ) for social change.
Our story commences in the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, where ingenious individuals crafted some of the first rudimentary forms of toilets. Picture this: a simple wooden seat placed atop a stone hole.
Fast forward to the glorious Roman Empire, and we encounter an empire obsessed with sanitation. Romans built communal lavatories called "latrines," where people gathered for a social chin wag whilst contemplating the latest edition of the “ Julius Sees Ya “
When people ask what the Roman’s did for us, I often consider how modern Australians and other native people think when they want to destroy the culture that we brought.
But I digress. As I do.
As we journey through the Middle Ages, we find ourselves in a time where toilet technology took a nosedive. The absence of plumbing led to a decline in public restrooms, with people resorting to chamber pots and discreet corners.
Then to the Renaissance—a period of cultural rebirth, art, and scientific advancements. Surely, sanitation would have improved, right? Well, not quite. As society flourished, chamber pots became fashionable, and people found inventive ways to dispose of their waste, including throwing it out the window. Yes, you heard that right. Watch your step as you navigate the streets of any city.
Enter the Victorian era, the epitome of refined manners and hidden secrets. Public restrooms began to resurface, albeit in peculiar ways. In London, one could stroll down to the "Temple of Convenience" and enjoy the luxury of using a coin-operated toilet.
In fact, the Victorian era ushered in something much more important than the toilet.
During that period, department stores emerged as bustling hubs of commerce and leisure, offering a wide range of products under one roof. They revolutionised the shopping experience by providing a vast array of goods and services, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and more. But how did this relate to urinary tract problems?
One significant way department stores influenced women's lives was by liberating them from the confines of their homes. Prior to the rise of department stores, shopping often required visiting various specialised shops scattered across town. This made it cumbersome for women to venture out, particularly when it came to accessing public toilet facilities, which were often scarce and poorly maintained.
However, with the advent of department stores, women found a haven where they could explore various merchandise, try on clothes, and indulge in a day of shopping without worrying about toilet availability. Department stores began providing clean, well-maintained public “ restrooms “ within their premises, ensuring that women had convenient access to facilities when needed.
This newfound accessibility to hygienic restrooms had indirect benefits for women's urinary tract health. Proper sanitation and access to facilities that allowed them to relieve themselves comfortably reduced the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and related issues. By avoiding prolonged periods of holding urine or resorting to unhygienic alternatives, women could better maintain their urinary health.
Getting back to the coin operated toilet in Department Stores, I remember , as a little girl, going to a public toilet in a large department store with my mother and “ spending a penny. “
That was back in the 1960’s and they even had a small toilet for children and a normal one for the mother and there was something rather comforting sitting there, with Mum, and my brothers and Dad were left outside. It was “ our space. “
So much has changed.
It is no longer the Rest Room.
However, down under we have this term that so many around the world will not understand. The Dunny.
The term "dunny" is an Australian slang word used to refer to a toilet or an outhouse. The origins of this peculiar term can be traced back to the early days of European settlement in Australia.
In the early colonial era, sanitation infrastructure was quite basic, and most households did not have indoor plumbing. Instead, outdoor structures, usually small huts or sheds, were built to serve as toilets. These structures were typically located at a distance from the main dwelling to minimise smells and ensure privacy.
The word "dunny" is believed to have emerged as a colloquial abbreviation of "dunnakin" or "dunnekin," which were terms used in British dialects for a small, enclosed space used as a toilet. As British settlers arrived in Australia, they brought their language and dialects with them, including this term.
Over time, "dunnakin" or "dunnekin" in the Australian context transformed into the abbreviated form "dunny." The slang term quickly caught on and became widely used throughout the country, ingrained in Australian vernacular.
The usage of "dunny" persisted even as indoor plumbing and modern sanitation systems became commonplace in Australia. It became a nostalgic term associated with the bygone era of outdoor toilets, evoking images of the country's early colonial history.
Despite this term being uniquely Australian, the Outhouse is universal.
So many of us grew up with one. Who could forget the long walk in the middle of winter, ripped newspaper at ready and off to quietly sit in a small room and hope like hell that a redback didn’t bite us on the bum or a bear try to eat us.
Outhouses are universally hated yet loved.
They are part of our DNA. Part of our heritage.
Of late, we have seen invasion of our dunnies. From wierdos and wankers and freaks.
I think I preferred the Redback spider to the Rock spider.
And. let's face it, they are everywhere. Much more so than the redback.
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