Snowman
A snowman is a human-like figure constructed from snow. The image of a snowman is popularly connected with the festive season and is deeply embedded in Western culture. Building a snowman is a popular winter recreation for children (that and having snowball fights).
A snowman is usually constructed by first rolling a large ball of snow to act as a body. A second (and often a third), smaller ball is placed on top, as a head. Facial features, such as eyes and a mouth are added using coal or small stones, as are buttons. A nose may be added, using a piece of fruit or a vegetable, such as a carrot; sticks are sometimes added as arms. Snowmen are often depicted with a pipe and a hat.
The comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" used a running gag about snowmen, and building a snowman is an on-going winter project for Charlie Brown (see articles for details).
Frosty the Snowman was a Tin Pan Alley novelty created by Jack Nelson and Steve Rollins in 1950, consciously made as a follow-up to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and sold to Gene Autry, who recorded it. The title was taken up for a children's book, illustrated by Corinne Malvern, and published in 1950 by Golden Books. It went on to become a popular children's television cartoon by Rankin & Bass in 1968. Frosty is perhaps the most famous snowman.
The Snowman
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The Snowman is also the name of a children's book by British author Raymond Briggs, published in 1980. In 1982, this book was converted into a movie for the fledgling Channel 4, which has been shown every year since and has become a part of British Christmas popular culture.
An abominable snowman is another name for a yeti.
Referenced By
Christmas stories
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