Business up top, party below: The origins of Donald Ducking

April 15, 2026 — 12:30pm

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Be honest, how often have you Donald Ducked? Back when Zooming was the norm, I reckon most of us did. If not buck-naked below the waist, then you wore your favourite pyjama bottoms at least, or tracky dacks beneath a presentable dress, an ironed shirt: something of a Clayton’s Donald Duck.

As a verb, the Disney character means to wear a top without pants – nautical cap optional. Coined in the COVID era, the verb honours Mickey’s mate who saved a fortune in needing just half a wardrobe. Unnerving when you think about it, that panel of colleagues on your screen, each the picture of presentability until a certain duck waddles into mind.

The slang is one mere morsel of the 366........

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