The monster Godzilla first appeared in a 1954 Japanese film called “Gojira.”  The name Godzilla is the anglicized form of Gojira, which is a combination of two Japanese words: gorira (gorilla) and kujira (whale).  This is fitting because, in the early stages of the film’s production, Godzilla was described as “a cross between a gorilla and a whale.”

A cross between a gorilla and a whale?  What an odd and useless creature. I can imagine the script:

Man 1: Watch out for Godzilla!

Man 2: Why?

Man 1: Because it’s a mix between a gorilla and a whale!

Man 2: So…It’s a super endangered species?

Man 1: No, it’s a mix between two giant things.

Man 2: Yeah.  But it’s probably extremely awkward and worthless on land and water…Sounds kinda hilarious actually.  Let’s go poke it with a stick.

I’ve read way too much about horses today.  I hate when I do that.  Anyway,  I knew the height of a horse was measured in hands, but I never knew a hand was equivalent to 4 inches.  Maybe dwarfs primarily measured horses back in the day.  I also learned that the only truly wild species of horses that still exists is the Przewalski’s Horse, although it’s currently listed as an endangered species.  I’m sure environmentalists could rally a little more with a name change, though.   A “Save The Whales” bumper sticker is a little catchier than “Save The Przewalski’s Horses”.