Fool's Joke That Became Scientific Reality

From the pages of a comedic sketch in the early eighties to widespread acceptance in scientific literature, some scientific terms have their roots in humor. These jargons, originally coined as jokes, have since found their way into serious scientific discourse. In this article, we explore how these playful terms have evolved and why they matter in the scientific community.

A Brief History of "Flange of Baboons"

Among my old favorites is the term "flange of baboons," a fictional collective noun from the Gerald the Gorilla sketch on the UK comedy sketch show Not the 9 O’Clock News. This term, invented by Richard Curtis, Andy Hamilton, and Rowan Atkinson, was gleefully adopted by zoologists and soon appeared in scientific papers. The sketch, with its hilarious performance by Rowan Atkinson (despite the least convincing gorilla suit ever created), sparked imagination and even linguistic innovation.

The Thagomizer: From Far Side Cartoon to Dinosaur Anatomy

Another notable scientific term, the thagomizer, is the spiked tail of certain dinosaurs. This term was originally named after a Far Side cartoon but now stands as the accepted anatomical feature. The term was created in a Larsen cartoon, and later, biologists embraced it, integrating it into their research and publications. The term's origin from a humorous context shows how scientific language can evolve and integrate playful names.

Rejecting Sarcasm: The Big Bang and Hoyle's Joke

The term "Big Bang" was coined by astronomer Fred Hoyle, who favored the Steady State cosmological model and derided the expansion model. Hoyle intended "Big Bang" to be a sarcastic term, but it has now become ubiquitous in cosmology, showing how even critical and derisive language can gain traction in academic discourse. Modern inflationary theory still does not characterize the creation moment as an explosion, yet Hoyle's term has become standard.

Collective Nouns in Scientific Jargon

One more example is the collective noun "whoop of gorillas," which originated in a sketch by Griff Rhys Jones and Rowan Atkinson in Not the Nine Oclock News. Although it was an entirely made-up word, it later found its way into published papers. The term's acceptance demonstrates how playful language can transform into scientific jargon.

The Pleasure of Naming Species

Biologists often find amusement in naming new species. Sometimes, these names stem from the sheer joy of naming something. Consider the species of the Gelae genus:

Gelae baen Gelae belae Gelae fish Gelae rol Gelae donut

These names, with their pronounceable 'ae' sound and humorous implications, are an interesting reflection of the creative process in science. The term "Irritator," named after an expert who had to painstakingly reverse a dinosaur's fossil packaging, also demonstrates the human element in scientific nomenclature. In a research note, one can effortlessly name a fearsome dinosaur after a challenging task.

Conclusion

The evolution of scientific terms from humor to acceptance shows the richness and diversity of the scientific language. These terms, once jokes, now serve as a reminder of the humanity and playfulness present in even the most rigorous and serious fields of study. The origin and persistence of such jargon add a layer of interest and charm to the academic world, making learning and research more engaging.