doona day

n. a day taken off from work for relaxation or idleness. Subjects: English, Australia

Editorial Note: As indicated in the citations, synonyms include mental health day, duvet day, sickie (in Australia), and the uncommon eiderdown day. Etymological Note: Doona is trademarked brand in Australia now well on its way to becoming a generic term there for any duvet or down quilt.

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Citations: 2001 David Wilkes Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia) (Jan. 9) “Doona Day, the official ‘sickie’” p. 8: After a heavy night out, or if you just can’t face getting out of bed, you would be allowed to call in to say you were taking a Doona Day. 2004 Robyn Pearce Getting a Grip on Leadership (Aug. 31) p. 250: What about giving yourself a duvet day, eiderdown day, doona day, mental health day…—a delicious and luxurious day in bed, reading, resting by yourself. 2005 Christina Larmer Sunday Telegraph (Australia) (May 8) “Doona Days”: You can dress it up however you like—sick leave, mental health day or, as it’s known in particularly innovative companies, doona day—but a growing band of organisational experts say taking regular time off makes for a happy, healthy and productive worker.

Posted 11 May 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

can u tell me wht exactly doona means. is this a just a name..or contains any meaning

by Deepa 09 Feb 07, 0643 GMT

A doona is a brand name (much like Kleenex or Biro are brand names) for a duvet, or, a continental quilt.

by kath 27 Feb 07, 1023 GMT