Egocerus

/ɛɡˈoʊsərəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of extinct horned mammals from the Pliocene epoch, known for their large impressive antlers.

Etymology

From Latin ego ('I', perhaps meant humorously) combined with Greek keras ('horn'), literally meaning 'self-horned' or 'ego-horned'—possibly a humorous or self-aggrandizing scientific name.

Kelly Says

Egocerus literally means 'I am horns'—a scientist somewhere got clever and named this entire extinct animal genus with basically the prehistoric equivalent of a humble-brag, which is hilarious and very 19th-century scientist.

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