Bushranger

/ˈbʊʃˌreɪndʒər/ noun

Definition

An outlaw or bandit who lives and operates in the bush; especially common in Australian colonial history.

Etymology

Compound of 'bush' and 'ranger'; specifically Australian usage from the 18th-19th centuries for criminals hiding in the Australian outback.

Kelly Says

Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous bushranger, wore homemade armor made from plow metal—he became such a legend that today Australians sometimes sympathize with these outlaws as folk heroes fighting against unjust authorities.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Term historically applied almost exclusively to men; bushranging was male-dominated in historical record, but women did engage in frontier outlawry and resistance in Australia and other regions.

Inclusive Usage

Use generically for any outlaw operating in remote areas. Specify 'bushranger' or 'bush ranger woman' when women are documented.

Inclusive Alternatives

["outlaw","frontier outlaw","bush outlaw"]

Empowerment Note

Women bushrangers like Ellen Kelts and others operated with skill equal to male counterparts but received minimal historical documentation.

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