Re: When did "T. rex" come into usage?

[Stanley Friesen <sarima@ix.netcom.com>]

At 08:33 AM 8/18/97 -0400, Amado Narvaez wrote:
>... I was curious about
>when the short form "T. rex" came into popular usage. I would imagine
>prior to Jurassic Park. I take it this is legitimate scientific
>shorthand (like _E. coli_)

A standard scientific shorthand - used when the name of the genus is
derivable from context.  Often this is after the full name has been used
once in the paper or chapter.

As to why and when this became popular, I do no know.  I have always found
it strange that for this *one* dinosaur the species name is used instead of
the genus name. (I mean, why not _T. copei_ or _A. copei_ instead of
_Trachodon_ or _Antotitan_)?

> that insinuated its way into popular usage, perhaps first
>through Jack Horner's book.

It is *much* older than that!  It was already in use when I was a
youngster, decades ago.

--------------
May the peace of God be with you.         sarima@ix.netcom.com
                                          sfriesen@netlock.com