Why did Larry Niven call his immense armless, headless, sentient Known Space creatures Bandersnatch? How does the name relate to the Lewis Carroll beast mentioned in the "Jabberwocky"?
asked Jun 13, 2016 at 2:51
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+1, often wondered this myself, but I believe the correct plural is "Bandersnatchi".– ApproachingDarknessFishCommented Apr 27, 2019 at 3:50
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2 Answers
Short answer? We don't really get an explanation. From World of Ptavvs:
Winston Doheny, our biologist, took one look at these monsters and dubbed them frumious bandersnatch. This species name is now in the goddam log.
The biologist picked the name and it stuck. The implication to me was that the biologist picked the name simply as an example of a "strange beast". Could be worse... it could be a Boojum...
answered Jun 13, 2016 at 3:07
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Funny you should mention "Boojum", 'cuz David Brin actually does mention it in the Uplift trilogy. Commented Jun 13, 2016 at 12:24
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2It's plausible that Carroll will remain well-known for centuries to come - the real tricky case is imagining that Cecil the Seasick Seaserpent will remain well-known enough to inspire the name for the Puppeteers– AndrewCommented Sep 4, 2023 at 19:16
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In Edward Bryant's contribution to Berserker Base (1985), the Berserker is nicknamed a "boojum" (although "gazebo" is also suggested). Niven also contributed a Berserker story to the anthology honoring Saberhagen's creations.– BuzzCommented Sep 4, 2023 at 19:17
Niven read/liked Carroll's works. That's why a world is called Wunderland. He also like Lord Lord Dunsany.
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7It would improve your answer to cite sources, and link your answer directly to Carroll's use of the word. (You also wrote one 'Lord' too many.)– JoachimCommented Sep 4, 2023 at 16:54