When Thomas Savage attempted to develop the first scientific classification of the large primate we know as the gorilla, he reached back over 2,000 years and found a word in a long-filed and nearly-forgotten report.
Carthaginian admiral Hanno traveled around 60 BC from Carthage (in present-day Tunisia) down the western coast of Africa. Along the way, he encountered hairy, aggressive creatures he called “gorillai” (Γόριλλαι). It was this term Thomas Savage used in naming the modern-day gorilla.
Interestingly enough, that original term can best be interpreted as “a tribe of hairy women.”
Making the Most of Paused Ambitions
Benjamin was forced to pause his career plans. If there’s one thing he hated, it was that pause. Like so many young men, he was ambitious, and he was certain he knew what was best for him. Also, like so many young men, his ambitions were put on hold by protective parents.
Keep reading
The Adversary Who Made MacArthur Vomit
No one would associate General Douglas MacArthur with cowardice. One of the few men to rise to the rank of 5-star general, MacArthur was known for bravery, daring, and determination in the face of adversity. It’s hard to imagine him facing an adversary who intimidated him to the point of queasiness. That’s exactly what happened…
Keep reading
The Most Famous Musician You Never Heard Of
When it comes to memorable quotes, less is more. The best-remembered sayings throughout history tend to consist of just a handful of carefully-chosen words. The same can’t be said for music. No one ever accused Mozart of being stingy with notes when he wrote some of history’s greatest music. Don’t even get us started about…
Keep reading
Commonplace Fun Facts 