How The Dingo Got Its Name

“So you see for yourself, we rank as a first order nation,
Possessing the accoutrements of a major civilisation.
We have weaponry superior, and horses on which to go speeding;
Take this dog for example, product of refinement and breeding,
A faithful hound’s companionship makes man the merrier.”
Said the governor proudly, patting his little fox terrier.
And Booloowoi was truly very impressed with it all,
With the trophies of strange-looking animals on the wall,
The head of a leopard, the tusks of a fierce-looking grunter...
“Say guvna” he replied “you must be one big mighty hunter,
But you got something wrong, ‘cause that funny-lookin thingo
That you call there a dog is what I call a bloomin’ dingo.”
“So I see” said the governor, affecting a patronising smile,
“Dingo is your native name for dog; lieutenant,”“Yes sir!”– “put that down on file.”
“No guvna, you got that wrong,” said Booloowoi “I really don’t think so,
‘Cause that animal you got there, believe me, it’s a bloomin’ dingo!”
“Yes, I heard you correctly,” said the governor “you are familiar with the dog,
Thank you for telling us its native name; lieutenant,” “Yes, sir!”– “note that down in the log.”
Now the terrier detected a fuss, but didn’t know what for,
And in its anxiety commenced turning circles on the floor,
And at Booloowoi took offence, starting to squeak and yap,
Excitedly trying to jump into the governor’s lap,
Said Booloowoi “Whatsamaddabrudda, can’t you understand the lingo?
I’m tellin’ you what you call a dog, I call a bloomin’ dingo!”
“Good gracious “ said the governor, “I tire of this vexing enquiry:

Dog equals dingo, and vice versa; lieutenant, ““Yes, sir!”– “ note that down in the diary.”
But Booloowoi, rolling his eyes, moaned “They all same these gringo,
Guvna, a dog is a dog, but what you got there is a dingo!”
“Yes, of course” said the governor, “it’s settled...we’ve have other business, don’t we colonel?”
And so the dutiful lieutenant inscribed “dingo means dog” neatly in the journal.

So there is the story, admittedly a trifle deranged,
How the name of the warrigal through misunderstanding was changed;
Why the wild dog of the bush now goes by that cynical name.
Then if the dingo is the true dog, the dog is the true dingo:
Ah, ‘tis a shame, ‘tis a shame, ‘tis a shame.


Note: Babunna means ‘brother’ in the Eora language.