Weird NewsBEAT THE ANCHOR

The word 'dinosaur' means what in Greek?

Richard Owen coined the term in 1842 to mean "terrible lizard" from the Greek words for terrible and lizard.

On air: Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell on BBN Tonight
Published 8:48 PM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Wikipedia: “The word 'dinosaur' means what in Greek?”
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 8:48 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell.
Topics: Greek.
BBN covered this story before: Ella Langley wins the night at L.A.'s Greek, review says (October 16).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBeat the Anchor. One question, four answers, and a contestant who has never been this confident about anything.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe word dinosaur means what in Greek? A, terrible lizard. B, giant bird. C, old dragon. D, big tooth.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, I'm going big tooth. Dinosaurs are all teeth, Hank. Everybody knows that.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChat, play along. Ten seconds. Chip, the clock is running.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMy minivan is named the Saurus. The dealer said it was Greek for roomy.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut it also scared a lizard once in a Target parking lot, and the lizard looked terrified.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the van is terrible and the lizard was the victim. Final answer, A.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA is correct. Richard Owen coined dinosaur in eighteen forty-two, meaning terrible lizard, per Wikipedia.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI got it! Hank, I knew the van had a secret!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt counts. I wish it didn't, but it counts.