gooney bird

[goo-nee] /ˈgu ni/

noun

any of several albatrosses, especially the black-footed albatross and the Laysan albatross, occurring on islands in the Pacific Ocean, often near naval bases.

Slang. a foolish or awkward person or thing; goon.

Also, goony bird.

Also called gooney, goony.

Origin

1940-45; see goon

British Dictionary definitions for gooney bird

gooney bird

/ˈɡuːnɪ/

noun

an informal name for the albatross, esp the black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes)

Word Origin

C19 gony (originally sailors' slang), probably from dialect gooney fool, of obscure origin; compare goon

Slang definitions & phrases for gooney bird

gooney bird

noun phrase

The DC-3 airplane: Pilots everywhere refer to it with great affection as the ''Gooney Bird'' after the albatross

[WWII aviators; fr the slow but sure flight of the gooney bird, ''black-footed albatross,'' the bird so called by seamen because of its foolish look and awkward behavior when on the ground]