Thinking about the poem THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson, I wondered how he got the nickname 'Banjo' Its not of Australian origin. A strange word really. Banjo Paterson may be better known for the lyrics of the song "Waltzing Matilda" which has become the song a lot of Aussies want as their National anthem (well thats an other discussion).


Andrew Barton Paterson, (17 February 1864 – 5 February 1941) became our favourite bush poet. It turns out that he began sending in his poems to the local newspaper under the the pseudonym "The Banjo" which was a name of a favourite horse.
And the name stuck.

Now I know a Banjo is a musical instrument, but I wonder how it got its name?