What does drongo mean?
In Australian slang, drongo means a foolish or stupid person. It is a mild insult often used humorously. The word comes from the name of a bird, the spangled drongo.
The insult is said to come from a racehorse named Drongo in the 1920s. The horse often came close to winning but never did, so people began using its name to describe someone who was a loser or a fool.
The horse itself was named after the drongo bird, a glossy black bird found in northern and eastern Australia.
Using the word
Australians might call someone a drongo if they do something silly, such as locking their keys in the car. The word is usually used lightly, not as a serious insult.
Drongo is part of a range of Australian insults, including galah, dag and boofhead. Many of these are humorous and used among friends.
The spangled drongo is a real bird, with a forked tail and red eyes. It is known for its noisy calls and aerial acrobatics. The bird itself is not foolish, but the word's slang meaning has stuck.