HAS YOUR BUDGIE DIED?

[mully]

where does the saying "HAS YOUR BUDGIE DIED" when wearing shorter trousers come from and what does it mean?

[Quizmonster]

A similar question appeared here recently and was answered with the idea that the trousers are "at half mast"...ie like a flag when some great person dies.

[verbiphobe]

This refers to the pubic bulge created by the constriction of the genitals by the shorts .cf "budgie smugglers" aka "dickstickers" refering to "speedos" a proprietary name for mens swimming trunks in Australia. The resemblance of constricted male genitalia to a budgerigar, living or dead is an exclusively Australian

[verbiphobe]

Sorry, I accidently submitted. Mr. Monster (do you mind if I call you Quiz?) I'm afraid your way off the mark on this one. The Australian obsession with genitalia finds many forms of slang expression and this is one that is common.To test it's veracity simply place a budgie, dead or alive in your undies and you'll see what I mean.

[Quizmonster]

As I thought my earlier response made clear, Verb, I was simply quoting someone else's answer. I have no axe to grind either way.

Having said that, I feel the 'half-mast' idea is inherently the more probable. It is a sad propensity amongst our antipodean friends to vulgarise almost everything...often quite amusingly, it has to be said. But here? Nah! Go with the flag, Mully.

[thewillow]

Twas me who posted the original answer of trousers being at half mast. I wasn't hazarding a guess. It's an expression I've known for about thirty years.

[verbiphobe]

Has there been budgies dying in England for that long? I gotta get out more.