drongo
UK[ˈdrɒŋɡəʊ]US[ˈdrɑːŋɡoʊ]
n
A songbird of the family Dicruridae, found in Africa, Asia, and Australia, typically having black plumage, a forked tail, and aggressive behaviour.
n
(Australian & New Zealand slang, informal). A foolish, slow-witted, or incompetent person.
Etymology
The word 'drongo' entered English in the mid-19th century as a straightforward borrowing from Malagasy, the Austronesian language of Madagascar, where it is the name for the bird. It was adopted by European naturalists to classify members of the Dicruridae family. The slang sense, meaning a foolish person, originated in Australian English in the 20th century. It is popularly believed to derive from a specific racehorse named Drongo in the 1920s that consistently failed to win, thereby transferring the name to any person perceived as a persistent loser or incompetent.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It originates from Malagasy, the language of Madagascar, where 'drongo' is the local name for the bird.
Examples
A fork-tailed drongo perched on the branch, watching for insects.
He felt like a real drongo after locking his keys in the car for the third time.
Drongos are known for their bold behaviour, often chasing away much larger birds from their territory.