1910s
Still iconic
Definition
The villains of May Gibbs's classic 1918 children's book Snugglepot and Cuddlepie — wicked bush figures modelled on the gnarled, hollow-eyed seed pods of the banksia tree.
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Where the "Banksia Man" Comes From
May Gibbs modelled the character on the aged seed pods of the banksia tree, their woody follicles forming natural eyes and features.
She described first spotting them as a child in the Western Australian bush: "We came to a grove of Banksia trees and sitting on almost every branch were these ugly little, wicked little men."
Example Sentence
The kids hid under the doona, convinced a Banksia Man was lurking in the backyard.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used for the villains themselves, and more loosely for anything gnarled, sinister-looking, or vaguely villainous in the Australian bush.
One half of one of Australia's most enduring children's book pairings, forever tormenting the gumnut babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
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