The Thagomizer. I Didn't Know, Now I Do.

[Ranb]

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg19125592.200-the-word-thagomizer.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thagomizer

A thagomizer is the distinctive arrangement of four to ten spikes on the tails of stegosaurid dinosaurs. These spikes are believed to have been a defensive measure against predators.[1]

The arrangement of spikes originally had no distinct name; the term Thagomizer was coined in 1982 by cartoonist Gary Larson in his comic The Far Side, and thereafter became gradually adopted as an informal term within scientific circles, research, and education.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thagomizer#/media/File:Thagomizer.png
I read this comic many years ago and recall it being one of the funnier ones. Never knew it influenced anyone like this.

Ranb

 

[Mike!]

Wow, prehistoric life imitates art.

 

[novaphile]

"We named it the Thagomiser in honour of the late Thag Simmons"

Some friends of mine, who share that surname, really liked that part.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

A well deserved honour.

 

[attempt5001]

Excellent! Right up there with Calvin and Hobbes as far as great comics go. His T-Rex family at the dinner table comic launched endless variations on the theme as well.

 

[theprestige]

Congratulations on being one today's 10,000!

 

[Trebuchet]

A well deserved honour.

Larson also has a bug named in his honor. If I recall correctly, it's a louse that infects owls.

 

[Norman Alexander]

Bob's Flightless Birds...

 

[Trebuchet]

Larson also has a bug named in his honor. If I recall correctly, it's a louse that infects owls.

Strigiphilus garylarsoni.
The Wiki article also contains a link to Thagomizer.

 

[Trebuchet]

Bob's Flightless Birds...

Have nit, must pick: I went to look up the cartoon and it was actually Bob's Assorted Rodents and Al's Flightless Birds. Larson was great.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

I assume Larson is being sued for copyright infringement by the Stegosaurus' descendents, the Chickens.

 

[attempt5001]

Only the ones on the boneless chicken ranch.

 

[Dr. Keith]

Congratulations on being one today's 10,000!

Look, I know it is a pain in the ass, but that post reads very sarcastically if you don't include the link.

 

[theprestige]

Look, I know it is a pain in the ass, but that post reads very sarcastically if you don't include the link.

Yeah, I realized that a little too late. Sorry if I sounded like a dick. I'm sincerely happy whenever I encounter one of the 10,000.

 

[Dr. Keith]

Yeah, I realized that a little too late. Sorry if I sounded like a dick. I'm sincerely happy whenever I encounter one of the 10,000.

From previous discussions I knew you were sincere. That's the only reason I would step in for an assist like that. Since you brought it to my attention it is one of my favorite XKCD's. So, sincere thanks.

 

[Cheetah]

What do you call it if the thagomizer is on the neck instead of the tail?
Thagospitter?

 

[Norman Alexander]

Have nit, must pick: I went to look up the cartoon and it was actually Bob's Assorted Rodents and Al's Flightless Birds. Larson was great.

I stand corrected on the details, and share the opinion.

 

[Norman Alexander]

For those who have not seen the relevant Larson cartoon.

 

[EHocking]

I assume Larson is being sued for copyright infringement by the Stegosaurus' descendents, the Chickens.

They would lose that suit, as it is the Saurischia dinosaurs that birds descend from not, rather ironically given the name, the subgroup Ornithischia that stegosaurus belong to.

 

[wasapi]

I recall seeing a cartoon where the thagomizer was shown like a spiked-ball at the end of the tail. It could be whipped by the force of the tail as a weapon. It seems I assumed it was a Larson, but perhaps not. I'll look for it, but was wondering if anyone recalls seeing it?