Swingdingle - [Fearsome Critter]

Swingdingle - [Fearsome Critter] - Latin: Terrorarboreus danielcoheni.

• About this critter: A "Tricky animal" that has lived in the trees so long that he looks just like one, only of course isn't. It swings from tree to tree, waiting for a passer-by: then, he'll swoop down and knock off their cap, sending it flying with his thin twig-like arms. if you've ever had your hat jerked off by a branch or had a twig snag your clothing or catch you off guard with a slap to the face, The old guides will tell you "It's that ol' Swingdingle up to his tricks again, the master of dendrophobia."

• History & early appearances: The one only published mention of this critter originates from game warden, Art Childs "Yarns of the big woods" [published in various newspapers 1922-1925] As with most of their critters, they quite likely originated as oral stories or tales spun around the campfire, spread & shared between lumberworkers and woodsmen as humorous explanations for why mysterious things happened. - The short article goes as follows:

"Did you ever walk through the woods and suddenly have your cap jerked off by a mischievous branch? - In the North Woods the guides declare that it isn’t the branches at all that knock off hats and snatch caps as their owners hike along the woodland paths. – “That old swingdingle again!” they exclaim as a hat goes sailing.  Now the swingdingle is very famous. He’s a tricky animal that has lived so long in the trees that he looks like part of a tree, only of course he isn’t.  He swings from the tree, and as some one passes along the path he watches his chance, swoops down and snatches the hat or cap."

[image source: newspapers.com]

This critter in particular is most likely a creative take (or perhaps a regional variant) of the better-known 'Agropelter' & 'Slivercat' spiteful woodland creatures that wack lumberjack over the head with branches (or tail) from above for often fatal results, when someone died in the woods on the job, these creatures where often blamed! -- However, where in Agropelter & sliver cats where blamed for lumberjacks deaths at their hands (or more so the hand of fallen limbs.) - The swingdingle seems to be mischevious at worst. -- unlike the previous two mentioned this is more of a simple Goblin-like creature (i'd almost classify it as a type of forest pixie) used to explain forest shenanigans: missing clothing or why the branches might have slapped or snagged you as you walk through the underbrush: "Oh that wasn't a tree, it was that old 'swingdingle again!' – its really not all too deep.

The quickest explanation for the swingdingle's appearance would be that it is of course, a personification of the "Pareidolia effect" [the effect of seeing patterns/faces in inanimate objects] in this case trees (specifically birch.) These 'Tree eyes' & faces usually form when a branch is cut & the tree heals over the spot, creating a knot.

[The trees have eyes.. or is it a swingdingle? (note to self: find a birch tree later.)]

The true 'origin' of this critter's name lies with lumber tools and axes! Swingdingle is an interchangeable name for the Lumber tool known as the 'Peavy axe' or "Cant-Hook" (The choice tool used by Lumberjacks and especially Log Drivers.) - The 1913 Century Dictionary defines a "Swingdingle" like so:

"In lumbering, a single sled with wood-shod runners and a tongue with lateral play, used in hauling logs down steep slopes on bare ground. Also called a "loose-tongued sloop." Many lumberjacks use these terms interchangeably, However, the term swing dingle is more often published as being a type of logging sled."

Humorously, the Swingdingle tool was also jokingly explained in papers near the time as "Not a ghost, but a tool." with tales of critters being commonplace in lumber camps it seems like an easy mistake. - So, perhaps Artchilds got idea for the name either from similar articles or real-life confusing conversations where in loggers had to try and explain what a Swingdingle was.

As for the scientific name, the curators at lumberwoods.org named this one back in 2020 as "Terrorarboreus danielcoheni" - the first part makes sense "Terror-Arboreus" (basically meaning "terrifying trees.") - the second part, not so much, to me it seems likely that they've named it after fellow Cryptozologist & Children's Writer Daniel Cohen. (But it is a fairly common name, however so that might not be it, i'll be sure to update if i ever ask.) - according to his wiki page, Cohen is best known for his light-hearted approach to cryptozoology, ufology, the occult and his straightforward method of explanations. - I'm not familiar enough with his work to say why they chose him exactly - but to me, it seems to be a way of saying "This critter is pretty straight forward" -  Reguardless, it's amusing nonetheless and seems to make for a well-fitting tribute! - (End of the day, one really should not question the madness of the Wampus Society if they know what's good.) 

• See also Agropelter, Slivercat, Ball tailed cat.

Sticker art by @samkalensky part of my fearsome critters collection of stickers check my shop and follow for many more