bandersnatch

/ˈbændərˌsnætʃ/

Other forms: bandersnatches

A bandersnatch is an imaginary, strange, and fearsome creature. The noun bandersnatch is also used as a descriptive way to refer to a person who seems wild and threatening.

Bandersnatch comes from the poem "Jabberwocky," by Lewis Carroll. The poem is full of words that Carroll invented. The part with bandersnatch reads like this:

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

Bandersnatch is now sometimes used to refer to any imaginary, fierce creature, or to any person who should be avoided — like the really grouchy neighbor who complains about everything and everyone.

Definitions of bandersnatch

1. noun

   someone who is strange, wild, and threatening
2. noun

   a fierce, wild, and fast-moving imaginary animal