antlers vs horns
Posted by Steve Vieregg on May 1, 2007
Q: I am researching why the main street in Estes Park, CO, is called Elkhorn drive when science teaches us that elk, as members of the deer family, have antlers, not horns.
In that regard, I am curious when the scientific nomenclature was established that put antlers as part of the deer family and horns as part of the cow family?
Has the general public always used horns and antlers interchangeably?
State: Colorado
A: I think that your last question gets to the heart of your interest in this subject. The public simply does not see a difference between horns and antlers so often uses them interchangeably. Naming a street "Elkhorn" probably seemed fine when it was decided on. Come to think about it, the name "Elkantler" just doesn't have the same ring!
Since horns and antlers are quite different structures, it must not have taken scientists long to separate these two anatomical features. I haven't a clue when this might have taken place within scientific circles. I suppose if you could find an old book on science that discusses deer "horns", this might give you an approximate date but observant people probably knew the difference before books were being written on the subject. At least, that's my thinking.
I know this isn't the answer you were looking for but I hope it helps a wee bit. Thanks for writing.
John Wiessinger ( May 2, 2007)