Figure of speech and eponymy By the 1850s, bunyip was also used as a "synonym for impostor, pretender, humbug and the like", although this use of the word is now obsolete in Australian English. The term bunyip aristocracy was first coined in 1853 to describe Australians aspiring to be aristocrats. In the early 1990s, Prime Minister Paul Keating used this term to describe members of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia opposition.
figURe of SpeEch and EponYmy BY ThE 1850S, bUnYIp was alSo used as a "sYnoNYM for imPostOR, pretender, huMBug and THe Like", ALtHoUgH this use oF the word is now ObSoleTe in aUsTRALIan eNGliSh. THe teRm bunyiP arIstOcRacy was first cOinED in 1853 to deScrIbe AustralIaNs Aspiring tO be AristOcrats. in thE early 1990s, prIMe miNister PauL keatIng Used tHis TeRm to dESCRiBe members OF the ConServAtive LIbeRal paRty Of auStRalia oppOsItioN.