Bunbury, or bunburying, is arguably the most important term in the book. In the book, "bunburying," is essentially leading a double life. A person's "Bunbury," is the made-up friend used to escape social obligations. For example, John Worthing's "Bunbury" is Ernest, who he can use as an excuse to escape to London whenever he pleases.
Bunbury was an actual surname in the British Victorian period, however uncommon. It is a provocative play on words, given that bum is English slang for buttocks. This play on words suggests homoeroticism in the double life of Algernon, who has a "Bunbury" simply named Bunbury. The suggestion of homoeroticism is also interestingly relative to Oscar Wilde himself. He was arrested in the later 1890's on charges of homosexual offenses, and when released he escaped to Paris under the identity of Sebastian Melmoth. "Sebastian Melmoth" served as his "bunbury" to escape his own social situation, just as Algernon's "bunbury" was used to suggest homoerotic activity outside of his social setting.
