Phrases & SayingsYouth, popular and digital culture
drop bear
An imaginary predatory koala-like animal used in tall tales and pranks, especially on tourists.
In a sentence
They spotted a drop bear near the fence.
Where it came from
The Australian National Dictionary Centre and ABC document drop bear as a specifically Australian hoax/tall-tale term that functions as vernacular prank culture.
- Initial era
- 1950–1999
- Where used
- Australian use; no narrower regional pattern established