Apes aren't monkeys damnit!

[matgb]

Dear BBC.

You've just assaulted my eardrums with some music—in a news report on Radio 4, a radio station which has as a selling point a lack of music.

In it, the reporter revealed, once again, a complete lack of basic understanding. Chimpanzees are APES, not MONKEYS. Please send your reporters on a refresher course. I'm sure this little guy is upset enough, you don't need to insult him as well.

Comments

[innerbrat]

This is why many zoologists refer to three distinct extant groups: 'apes', 'old world monkeys' and 'new world monkeys'. I guess you could say there's no such thing as a 'monkey', just as there's no such thing as an 'amphibian' or a 'reptile'.

OTOH, what you said about the reporter.