From: Jim Carroll - PM
Date: 30 Nov 17 - 06:09 AM
. . . As I pointed out, equating other races with animals is the oldest RACIST PLOY in the book

It may,/I> be used as a racist ploy, at times. But that does not mean that that is always the case.
Describing the British infantry as "lions led by donkeys" is intended to disparage the military leadership. Neither "lions" nor "donkeys" is intended as a racist slur.

Likewise "Abbapotamus" might merely be a comment on her size. But there are some who will read racism & sexism into anything.
I have no personal insight into who coined the term, or what their intentions were. And while I wouldn't use the term, I cannot see it as either racist or sexist.