Australian culture-use of the word 'Bananabender'

Quote AI Overview
Banana bender
A "banana bender" is an Australian slang term for a person who lives in or is a native of the state of Queensland. The term is a humorous, sometimes derogatory, reference to the state’s large banana-growing industry, implying Queenslanders spend their time putting the bend into straight bananas. [1, 2, 3]
Key Aspects of the Term:
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Origin: The term dates back to at least 1937, with records confirming its use for Queenslanders by 1940. It stems from the stereotype of Queensland being "bananaland".
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Context: It is largely considered an affectionate or funny nickname, rather than a deeply offensive insult.
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Related Terms: Queensland is sometimes referred to as "bananaland" and the Queensland border as the "banana curtain".
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Alternative Name: People from Queensland are also sometimes called "Bananalanders". [1, 2, 3]
The term is widely recognized across Australia, particularly by residents of southern states referring to Queenslanders, and is a staple of Australian slang. [1, 2],

EA forced an Australian using the tag: "Bananabender", to change their username, because some person decided to 'take offence' at the name.

All I can say is EA did not research the meaning of 'bananabender.Search the Australian National University - School of Literature and Linguistics - Type in - bananabender'. It gives you this definition:

banana bender

A Queenslander. The term derives from the joking notion (as perceived from the southern states of Australia) that Queenslanders spend their time putting bends into bananas. An article from 15 July 1937 in the Queenslander provides a forerunner to the term when a man is asked by the Queen what his occupation is:

"I'm a banana-bender". Further to enlighten her Majesty he explained that bananas grew straight on the trees, and so just before they ripened, his was the job to mount the ladder, and with a specialised twist of the wrist, put into the fruit the Grecian bend that was half its charm.

The association of bananas with Queensland ('banana land') is based on the extensive banana-growing industry in tropical Queensland. The Queensland border has been called the Banana curtain and Brisbane has been called Banana city. Banana bender, in reference to a Queenslander, is first recorded in 1940 and is till commonly heard.

1964 D. Lockwood Up the Track: We are so close to Queensland that I think we should hop over the border. What do you say to a quick look at the banana-benders?

2011 Northern Star (Lismore) 11 July: Should the Matilda's [sic] have won last night or the Netball Diamonds see off New Zealand, Anna Bligh will doubtless claim it was due to the preponderance of banana benders in the squads or at the very least the result of a Gold Coast holiday during their formative years.

 EA - reinstate the player you banned. As a Queenslander (FYI for you Americans - Queensland is a state in Australia. Australia is an indepentant soverign country with our own culture) your decision insulted me and I want an apology!