willy-willy

American  

[wil-ee-wil-ee] / ˈwɪl iˌwɪl i /

noun

Australian,

plural

willy-willies

1. dust devil.

   A column of dust, held aloft by a willy-willy, rises high into the air in South Australia.

2. tropical cyclone.

   another willy-willy forming over the Timor Sea.

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willy-willy British  

/ ˈwɪlɪˈwɪlɪ /

noun

1. a duststorm

2. obsolete a tropical cyclone

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Etymology

Origin of willy-willy

First recorded in 1890–95; of obscure origin; probably from an Australian Aboriginal language

Example Sentences

Scarce had he sunk behind the western hills when the goat-suckers sent forth their soft and plaintive cries; some often repeating, "Who are you—who, who, who are you?" and others "Willy, willy, willy come go."

From Wanderings in South America by Waterton, Charles