(3) A willy-willy is a strong,well-formed, and relatively long-lived whirlwind, ranging from small (half a meter wide and a few meters tall) to large(more than 10 meters wide and more than 1000 meters tall). The primary vertical motion is upward. willy-willy are usually harmless, but can on rare occasions grow large enough to pose a threat to both people and property. The Australian English term “willy-willy” or “whirly-whirly” is thought to derive from Yindjibarndi or a neighbouring language. In Aboriginal myths, willy-willies represent spirit forms. They are often quite scary spirits, and parents may warn their children that if they misbehave, a spirit will emerge from the spinning vortex of dirt and chastise them.