When naming goes wrong

One of the perks of being a scientist is that sometimes you discover something, and get to pick the name. One of the serious drawbacks is that if you pick a dumb name it will haunt you forever. Cool names include the naming of a mesozoic reptile Attenborosaurus conybeari after David Attenborough because it had previously been misnamed. Or naming a bunch of bunnies after the Playboy king himself when he funded some key research.

For naff names, you need look no further than this site. My personal favourite is the brainbox who named the magnesium iron silicate hydroxide molecule after his hometown, Cummington. Put an ite on the end of that word and you’ll see why. And while you’re there, look for the origins of penguinone, apatite, draculin, arsole, moronic acid, traumatic acid, and fucitol. 

(PHOTO:MARKENUB)