Most Australian’s have heard the expression “Telling a Furphy”. But did you know, the origins of this phrase originate from our famous brand – Furphy.
You see, around the time of the first world war, Australian Diggers where using our Furphy Water tanks. The stories and ‘yarns’ that were told around these tanks (which travelled around) became known as ‘Furphies’.
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word Furphy as: A rumour or story, especially one that is untrue or absurd
The Oxford Dictionary also explains the origin of the Australian Slang word as:
First World War: from the name painted on water and sanitary carts manufactured by the Furphy family of Shepparton, Victoria; during the war they became popular as a place where soldiers exchanged gossip, often when visiting the latrines.
