humanzee

[hyoo-man-zee, yoo‐]

noun

1. a hypothetical hybrid of human and chimpanzee: attempts at such hybridization have been substantiated, but no actual specimens have been verified.

Word History and Origins

Origin of humanzee¹

Coined by Gordon Gallup (born 1941), U.S. evolutionary biologist about 1975; blend of human ( def. ) and chimpanzee ( def. )

Example Sentences

This was, after all, an animal she referred to as a “humanzee” — an ape who had spent his youth performing in Hollywood films like “Buddy” and “George of the Jungle.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And Goode would ultimately play a key role in having the “humanzee” she considered her child, an ape named Tonka, removed from her home.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She defends her right to keep chimps by calling Tonka a “humanzee,” half human, half chimpanzee, and therefore happier with her than other primates.

Read more on Salon

“He was known as the ‘humanzee,’ ” Mr. Serkis said.

Read more on New York Times

One could even go so far as to suggest that we are in fact a type of evolved "humanzee".

Read more on The Guardian