Topic: Fearsome critter BUR

The bulk update request #6622 is pending approval.

create implication fearsome_critter (38) -> mythological_creature (737157)
create implication fearsome_critter (38) -> north_american_mythology (1976)
create implication ball-tailed_cat (2) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication cactus_cat (50) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication jackalope (5594) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication jersey_devil (111) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication snallygaster (3) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication splintercat (1) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication wampus_cat (4) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication axehandle_hound (8) -> fearsome_critter (38)
create implication teakettler (7) -> fearsome_critter (38)

Reason: The fearsome critters are a group of creatures from North American mythology and folklore. There are probably more floating around on here, but this has the ones I know of tag-wise.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fearsome_critters
http://www.fearsomecritters.org/index.html

I like the idea, but the term is a little too vague if you don't already know it.

oopsitripped said:
I like the idea, but the term is a little too vague if you don't already know it.

I mean, that's what they're called, I didn't come up with it, lol. I believe it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek as most of the fearsome critters are humorous and silly tall tale animals rather than dangerous beasts.

fearsome_critter_(mythology) may be better. But I'm not sure there's a need for the tag. There's already north_american_mythology for creatures from North American Mythology. What makes them distinct?

watsit said:
fearsome_critter_(mythology) may be better. But I'm not sure there's a need for the tag. There's already north_american_mythology for creatures from North American Mythology. What makes them distinct?

I'm no expert but, they are distinct from Native American mythological creatures

cloudpie said:
I'm no expert but, they are distinct from Native American mythological creatures

Yeah, though there is a creature in Cherokee mythology that is sometimes grouped with wampus_cat due to their similarities. But for the most part, this group refers to a specific group of creatures recorded in the Fearsome Critter books and are distinct from Indigenous mythological creatures, and general cryptids and urban legends. They are specifically from tall tales mostly told by lumberjacks.

Notably, the fearsome critters, unlike most cryptids, generally aren't intended to be assumed to be real. They're just stories told by old lumberjacks to entertain each other. Jersey Devil is the standout, but they were first recorded in the 1910 edition of Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods, IIRC.