Saturday Word: Bunyip
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1word1daybun·yip [ˈbuhn-ˈyip]:
origin: [1850] Wemba-Wemba language bunyip= "evil spirit" or "devil"
noun
Myth or cryptid? The mystery remains. This creature is also called a "kianpraty". The big foot of the swamp, a creature with various appearances on record, but usually something close to a gorilla mixed with a dog or bear; nocturnal, preys on livestock & humans by lurking at the water's edge like an alligator.
Heavily reported in the past, particularly in Australia, and said to let out a cry before beginning its hunt that scared aborigines away on such nights. Some wonder if it may be a real life creature such as a hippopotamus, walrus, seals, manatee, etc. that was lesser known then and mistaken for some frightening beast. However, that wouldn't account for many reports of it raising on hind legs reaching 10-13 feet.
Interestingly enough, some fossilized bones were found by George Rankin in the Wellington Caves, and it was not any currently known animals. The natives said that the now-labeled Diprodoton -- see image below -- was a "bunyip"; an animal thought to be long extinct, somewhat resembling a rhino or primitive bear (as it's commonly described as hairy). It's been said that the sound aborigines heard was a koala cry, which is what the prehistoric Diprodoton coincidentally resembles.
Bunyip can also mean impostor, or something pretending to be something it isn't -- coined in 1890 by the upper class to describe Australians striving to rise into their aristocracy.
adjective
Something that is a forgery or fake, like a "bunyip document".
Looks like a giant koala bear to me.
origin: [1850] Wemba-Wemba language bunyip= "evil spirit" or "devil"
noun
Myth or cryptid? The mystery remains. This creature is also called a "kianpraty". The big foot of the swamp, a creature with various appearances on record, but usually something close to a gorilla mixed with a dog or bear; nocturnal, preys on livestock & humans by lurking at the water's edge like an alligator.
Heavily reported in the past, particularly in Australia, and said to let out a cry before beginning its hunt that scared aborigines away on such nights. Some wonder if it may be a real life creature such as a hippopotamus, walrus, seals, manatee, etc. that was lesser known then and mistaken for some frightening beast. However, that wouldn't account for many reports of it raising on hind legs reaching 10-13 feet.
Interestingly enough, some fossilized bones were found by George Rankin in the Wellington Caves, and it was not any currently known animals. The natives said that the now-labeled Diprodoton -- see image below -- was a "bunyip"; an animal thought to be long extinct, somewhat resembling a rhino or primitive bear (as it's commonly described as hairy). It's been said that the sound aborigines heard was a koala cry, which is what the prehistoric Diprodoton coincidentally resembles.
Bunyip can also mean impostor, or something pretending to be something it isn't -- coined in 1890 by the upper class to describe Australians striving to rise into their aristocracy.
adjective
Something that is a forgery or fake, like a "bunyip document".
Looks like a giant koala bear to me.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-11-24 08:51 am (UTC)(From the Australian live-action/animated film Dot and the Kangaroo)
(no subject)
Date: 2015-11-25 05:43 am (UTC)I recall this cartoon REALLY irritated me when it first came out because I loved animation so dearly, that live-action paired with it irritated me (unless it was Pete's Dragon). But, the second time I saw it, I got over my prejudice and really liked it, especially learning about different animals. It never occurred to me that a bunyip could be more than a mythical boogie man, as the finding of fossilized bones may suggest.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-12-01 05:03 am (UTC)One doesn't see the bunyip mentioned much :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2015-12-03 08:24 am (UTC)*laugh* Did you get over your prejudice for live action/animation in time for Who Framed Roger Rabbit? :-) .