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.
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.
The comic strip Calvin and Hobbes used a running gag about snowmen (see article for details).
Frosty the Snowman, illustrated by Corinne Malvern, was a children's book published in 1950 by Golden Books. It went on to become a popular children's cartoon by Rankin & Bass in 1968. He is perhaps the most famous snowman.
The Snowman |
An abominable snowman is another name for a yeti.