WEIRD FOSSILS

We are very lucky that these 10 real-life beasts are not around anymore

Image: David Clode

Earth is a weird place. Many living creatures already seem out-of-this-world -or at least ill-conceived - but what about those that are extinct? Millions of species have roamed the planet, and although many are similar to what we are used to, many more are exceedingly strange.

Join us as we go deep into our evolutionary past and uncover some of the weirdest animals that ever lived!

Image: André Ganzarolli Martins, CC BY-SA 4.0

The peaceful glyptodon was an enormous mammal (roughly the size of a small car) that was related to modern-day armadillos and sported a similar armored exterior. This giant herbivore lived during the Pliocene, around 3.2 million years ago. Although glyptodon and humans coexisted for a relatively short period of time, human hunters are said to have used the hardened shells as shelter.

Image: Werner Kraus, CC BY-SA 4.0

Maybe weird is not the right word to describe this spine-chilling monster, but it would have certainly been a sight to behold. Megalodon, which means "big tooth" in ancient Greek, was the largest shark to ever swim in Earth’s oceans. Luckily, it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago, because it could reach 67 feet in length and its dagger-like teeth were 7 inches long!

Image: PaleoEquii, CC BY-SA 4.0

If this nightmarish creature was conceived as some sort of alien monster in a low-budget sci-fi movie, we would still say it was ludicrous. But the aptly named Tully Monster was definitely real, and it was weirder than you think. Based on the fossil record, tullimonstrum was an aquatic creature with a (mostly) tubular shape, eyestalks, and a long proboscis with sharp teeth at its end. Even paleontologists find it exceedingly weird, so much so that its exact classification has been the subject of a long-held controversy among scientists.

Image: Seth Wickham

Afraid of millipedes? Maybe skip this one, then. Arthropleura was a genus of massive millipedes that could reach lengths of almost 8 feet. These terrifying creatures of the lower Carboniferous were, however, very similar to modern arthropods, likely scurrying around forests and consuming decomposing organic matter. The reason so many bugs grew to immense sizes during this time was likely related to higher levels of oxygen present in Earth’s atmosphere, and the lack of large terrestrial predators.

Image: Frank Lehmann, CC BY-SA 4.0

As their name suggests, terror birds were apex predators. In fact, the largest predators in South America during the Cenozoic. These giant flightless birds could grow to be 10 feet tall, only ate meat, and could easily crack skulls or shells with the terrible strength of their pointed beaks. Fortunately, terror birds are thought to have become extinct at least a million years before humans arrived on the continent, though some smaller subspecies may have survived until more recently.

Image: Jan Kopřiva

As if Colombian rainforests weren’t dangerous enough, imagine an almost 50-foot-long snake stalking its prey amongst the dense foliage. Titanoboa were a larger (and way heavier) relative of modern anacondas, and the largest snakes to ever roam Earth. Although at first they were thought to be an apex predator, the shape of their skulls suggests that titanoboa likely preferred to prey on fish.

Image: CSIRO, CC BY 3.0

A fish so rare that only one specimen of the species was captured for scientific study in 1802, on the shallow coastal waters of Tasmania, the smooth handfish is on the cuter side of this list - sort of - with four hand-like appendages that it used to walk on the seafloor. Australian researchers hilariously describe its whimsical appearance as "dipping a toad in some brightly colored paint, telling it a sad story, and forcing it to wear gloves two sizes too big." Since the smooth handfish was never seen again in two centuries, it is deemed long extinct, but several other species of handfish survive in southern Australia.

Image: Han Zeng, CC0

If the name is not a clue as to the weirdness of this extinct species, behold its description: a mostly featureless worm-like creature with ten pairs of legs, a set of rigid spines on its back, and a blobby head. However, since its real appearance is difficult to reconstruct, some scientists have even weirder interpretations of hallucigenia, claiming that the legs were actually tentacle-like appendages that may have had independent mouths.

Image: Dustin Humes

Did you know that dragonflies grow larger in enriched oxygen atmospheres? Well, during the oxygen-rich Carboniferous (300 million years ago), a giant relative of modern dragonflies soared the skies. Meganeura could have a staggering wingspan of over 2 feet, and they were adapted to prey on other insects in open habitats. Scientists think that, as oxygen levels plummeted in the following geological periods, these huge insects went extinct, as their larger body size was no longer an advantage.

Image: Mike Arney

As recently as 300,000 years ago, true giants roamed southern Asia’s thick bamboo forests. Nearly 10 feet tall and potentially weighing as much as 600 pounds, this gorilla-like ape is thought to have been mainly herbivorous, surviving on barks and twigs. Although some people have speculated that surviving members of the Gigantopithecus genus could be behind the alleged sightings of Bigfoot, most scientists dismiss these theories, as the species has been extinct for thousands of years.

LANGUAGE TIME MACHINE

You Won't Believe What These 10 Words Meant in The Past

Image: Glen Carrie

We all know something for sure: change is inevitable. Not only do people, landscapes, and habits change, but words and their definitions also change**.** What if we told you that "girl" once meant "boy" too? That's right, some of the words you might use every day have had completely different meanings in the past! Words like "girl," "villain," "garbage," and "cheater" are just a few examples of terms with surprising histories and evolving identities.

If you're curious, join us as we explore the fascinating evolution of these 10 English terms that used to have different meanings than they do today!

Image: Katrina Berban

Some say that a little silliness might actually be linked to happiness; what do you think? Well, the origin of the word "silly" seems to support this idea.

This funny word, often used affectionately or as a joke to those we love, has an interesting history. Sources suggest that "silly" originally comes from the Old English sǣlig, which meant "happy" or "blessed." Over time, its meaning gradually shifted towards "innocence," possibly due to an association with a common childhood trait.

But the evolution of its meaning didn't stop there. By the Middle Ages, "silly" had transitioned from "innocence" to "harmlessness," then to "simplicity," and eventually to "foolishness." Quite a journey for a single word!

Image: Toa Heftiba

Whether you've been caught cheating or you've stumbled upon a cheater, this word has caused chaos - in one way or another - in almost everyone's life. But things were quite different a few centuries ago.

In the 14th century, the Old French term escheater referred to a specific job: the person responsible for managing the King's escheats. This role became crucial when the King had no heirs, as the escheater would oversee the transfer of property and goods. Due to the nature of this task, people often suspected the escheater's integrity.

Later shortened to "cheater," the word evolved with the centuries, and the meaning was metaphorically extended to label anyone dishonest or deceitful. But here's an interesting twist: the "infidelity" undertones we now link with the term were not introduced until the 20th century!

Image: Jeffrey Hamilton

What do you call your loved one? "Honey," "darling," "sweetheart"? What about "bully"? If that last option surprises you, just wait until you hear that term's history!

It is believed that "bully" originated from the Dutch boel, meaning "lover" or "brother." Back in the 16th century, it was an endearing term in English, similar to "sweetheart" or "fine fellow." However, as the century drew to a close, its sense had changed to a more negative one.

Some sources suggest that this shift in meaning may have stemmed from the term "bully-ruffian," which designated a protector or bodyguard who often used force or threats. This association gradually transformed "bully" into a term connoting someone who harasses or intimidates others, leading to its modern negative meaning.

Image: Vinicius Wiesehofer

Although some people have tried to separate beauty from intellect, the word "pretty" has brought these two qualities together throughout its evolution.

Many sources trace the origins of this widely used term to the late Old English word prættig, associated with qualities like cunning and cleverness. By the 15th century, "pretty" had come to mean "clever" or "skillful" and used to define both people and meticulously crafted objects.

By the 16th century, "pretty" had begun to resemble its modern meaning, as it was used to represent charming women and children. Its current link to physical beauty was already strong by the 18th century.

Image: Nik

Language evolution can be quite a spectacle, with some changes being more drastic and noticeable than others.

That is the case with "awful." This word's journey began with the Old English egefull, a mix of "ege" (meaning "dread" or "fear") and "full." Originally, it described things that inspired both fear and awe or reverence. Just imagine saying "awful" when you're in the presence of something truly awe-inspiring!

During the Middle Ages, the term was linked with the dread of divine punishment, which dominated the beliefs of the time. Starting to solidify in the 18th century, the negative connotation stuck, though its meaning shifted over the years. By the 19th century, the word was already associated with unpleasantness, much like we use it today.

Image: Pawel Czerwinski

Despite being a common and ordinary word, "garbage" has a rich history you may not have heard about. Its origins are not entirely clear, but it is believed to come from the Anglo-French word garbage, which referred to the waste parts of poultry. While the word has always had some relation to waste, its original meaning was much more specific (and, let's face it, a bit more gross). First recorded in the 15th century, Middle English _garbage (_or gabage) referred to the discarded parts of any type of animal left over after food preparation.

Over time, its definition broadened. By the 16th century, the word encompassed other kinds of kitchen residues. Finally, by the 19th century, "garbage" was already being used to designate any type of household waste, whether from food preparation or not.

Image: Simon Maage

Would you believe us if we told you that, in the past, "girl" could mean "boy" too? Yes, it's true! While it might feel like "Hey, girl!" has been around forever, the word has a fascinating history with a twist you probably didn't see coming.

It likely originated from the Anglo-Saxon word gerle (also girle or gurle). Back in the 1200s to 1330s, "girl" was used to refer to any child or very young person, regardless of gender. However, it wasn't until the late 14th century that "girl" started to become more specifically associated with female children.

By the 15th century, the term "girl" had started to include young adult women, particularly those who were unmarried. As usually happens with language, this evolution has continued to the present day.

Image: Edward Cisneros

If you're hoping to spark someone's interest, here's a fun fact that can add an exciting touch to your flirting game: the word "flirt" has been around longer than you might think.

Its roots can be traced back to the Old French fleureter, which meant "to say sweet nonsense" or "to touch something in passing." In the 16th century, the English "flirt" was used to mean "to throw with a sudden movement" or "to move in short and quick flights." Both the Old French and 16th-century English meanings suggest something done quickly and subtly, much like throwing a playful joke at the person you like.

By the 18th century, "flirt" was used to describe a person who behaves in a playful way towards others, already very close to the present meaning.

Image: Patrick Collins

It's true that bad guys inhabit both the fictional and real worlds, but what could villains and farmers have in common?

Believe it or not, "villain" has roots in the Latin word villanus, which referred to a villager or farm worker. This connection derives from the Latin villam, meaning farm. In the Middle Ages, the term evolved under French influence into vilain, specifically denoting those who worked the land.

Like many words, this was not immune to the influence of economic and social factors. The economically dominant class started using the term in a certain pejorative sense, associating it with what they perceived as less refined manners. Over time, this pejorative sense of the word intensified, and by the Renaissance, "villain" had evolved to denote "bad behavior," regardless of the person's class or occupation. This gradual shift culminated in the meaning we recognize today, synonymous with the iconic Joker or the dreaded Cruella de Vil!

Image: Jean-Louis Paulin

Today, the role of a secretary often involves handling busy schedules, managing paperwork, and interacting with employees and clients. However, its historical roots indicate a more literal significance.

"Secretary" originates from the Latin secretarius, meaning "confidant." Thus, in ancient Rome, a secretarius was someone tasked with keeping secrets or handling confidential information, a role that also resonates with the duties of modern secretaries!

By the Middle Ages, the term "secretary" in English had already evolved to refer to someone concerned with managing records or correspondence. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that its definition expanded to encompass different types of administrative work.