# Science solves Yeti? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064 "2017-11-29T16:16:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/61 "2019-05-01T21:04:52Z")
Just a note to Bigfoot enthusiasts–the guys on the Astonishing Legends podcast just did a 3-episode deep dive into the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film. Worth a listen if you have any interest at all. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/62 "2019-05-01T21:39:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Look, people have been reporting a “yeti” for 1832, and the natives before that. The word _Yeti_ means “rocky place _bear_”. > > So certainly there is a Yeti. It’s a bear. That is the local word for that type of bear. It’s a type of bear the natives call “rocky place bear” aka “Yeti”. Are you saying the natives can’t call a type of bear by using the word “_Yeti_”? :dubious: I would love to see a picture of this “rocky place bear” they call _Yeti_-got one? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/63 "2019-05-01T22:04:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So certainly there is a Yeti. It’s a bear. There may well be “yeti” sightings in various parts of the world that actually represent known species of bears. But those aren’t 1832-style Bigfoot/yetis. > [@DrDeth](#): > > This is very Western White man centric It is very Credulous man-centric to assume that “natives” possess wisdom/powers of observation not available to non-native “Western White” men. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/64 "2019-05-01T22:07:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I would love to see a picture of this “rocky place bear” they call _Yeti_-got one? [https://www.google.com/search?q=Himalayan+brown+bear&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6iIzCq\_vhAhWNGTQIHZacDdoQ\_AUIDigB&biw=1595&bih=863#imgrc=agunjzUnoX5Y3M:](https://www.google.com/search?q=Himalayan+brown+bear&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6iIzCq_vhAhWNGTQIHZacDdoQ_AUIDigB&biw=1595&bih=863#imgrc=agunjzUnoX5Y3M:) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/65 "2019-05-01T22:09:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > There may well be “yeti” sightings in various parts of the world that actually represent known species of bears. But those aren’t 1832-style Bigfoot/yetis.It is very Credulous man-centric to assume that “natives” possess wisdom/powers of observation not available to non-native “Western White” men. So, then modern DNA tests that say it’s a bear, we get to ignore them also? The natives name for the yeti is Rocky place bear. DNA tests have come back with it being a Himalayan brown bear or a Asian black bear or possibly a cross. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/66 "2019-05-01T22:10:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > [https://www.google.com/search?q=Himalayan+brown+bear&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6iIzCq\_vhAhWNGTQIHZacDdoQ\_AUIDigB&biw=1595&bih=863#imgrc=agunjzUnoX5Y3M:](https://www.google.com/search?q=Himalayan+brown+bear&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6iIzCq_vhAhWNGTQIHZacDdoQ_AUIDigB&biw=1595&bih=863#imgrc=agunjzUnoX5Y3M:) In other words, a perfectly ordinary very well known species of bear. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/67 "2019-05-01T22:12:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So certainly there is a Yeti. It’s a bear. That is the local word for that type of bear. It’s a type of bear the natives call “rocky place bear” aka “Yeti”. Are you saying the natives can’t call a type of bear by using the word “_Yeti_”? :dubious: And the local name for “floating log” is “Loch Ness Monster.” So certainly there is a Loch Ness Monster.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/68 "2019-05-01T23:07:39Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If it’s a bear, then it’s not a yeti. In what way? What exactly is a Yeti in your own definition? What attributes would a creature need for you to say, “that’s a Yeti” by your definition? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/69 "2019-05-01T23:08:47Z")
If someone worships their toaster, does that prove that God Exists? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/70 "2019-05-01T23:11:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If someone worships their toaster, does that prove that God Exists? 😕 That’s such a non-sequitur I can’t even fathom what it means. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/71 "2019-05-01T23:19:39Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > In what way? > > What exactly is a Yeti in your own definition? What attributes would a creature need for you to say, “that’s a Yeti” by your definition? Based on recent appearances in pop culture, it speaks english. Based on ALL appearances in pop culture, it’s regular mode of locomotion is bipedal. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/72 "2019-05-01T23:27:45Z")
Idiot : There is no such thing as a UFO Sensible person : Here is a proven list of objects that were flying and the observer was unable to identify them. Idiot : But none of them were alien spaceships, so they weren’t UFOs ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/73 "2019-05-01T23:43:44Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Idiot : There is no such thing as a UFO > > Sensible person : Here is a proven list of objects that were flying and the observer was unable to identify them. > > Idiot : But none of them were alien spaceships, so they weren’t UFOs You’re so charming. But that’s NOT the situation with the word Yeti. Sorry sucker, but English has made that word its own, and it don’t mean “bear”. Atheist: Gods aren’t real. Smartass: I have declared that my coffee cup is a god. Prove me wrong. Idiot: Atheism has been disproven because of gross misuse of words! Woo! (Note: I have played both the atheist and the smartass in this scenario.) ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/74 "2019-05-02T00:19:56Z")
I thought Yetis were furry robots contolled by the Great Intelligence with little silver spheres that were hidden in the Yetis’ chest cavities. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/75 "2019-05-02T01:20:08Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > You’re so charming. But that’s NOT the situation with the word Yeti. Sorry sucker, but English has made that word its own, and it don’t mean “bear”. Sorry, sucker, but “yeti” is a Tibetan word and the fact that some Great White Hunters or Mountain Climbers didn’t understand it does not really change its meaning. That the Sherpas live there is kind of a reason to think they understand the yeti better than the Europeans who dropped in from time to time and got excited about seeing something perfectly natural. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/76 "2019-05-02T06:23:52Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > And the local name for “floating log” is “Loch Ness Monster.” So certainly there is a Loch Ness Monster.:dubious: Oh come on now. You know that’s not correct. Now if the Scots had been along along saying that the LNM was a wels, and they caught a very large wels, then yes, I’d say that the LNM was nothing all along but a giant catfish and a bunch of hoaxes. But they havent. The natives say the Yeti is a bear. The DNA tests say “bear” (some debate about species, including one incredibly rare subspecies.). So- bear. The Yeti hasn’t had the level of outright hoaxes that the LNM and sasquatch has had. The natives have always claimed it is a very real but rare animal. The okapi was also originally thought to be a hoax. But then they found it. So, does that mean they didnt find the okapi? Architeuthis was also thought to be a myth or hoax, but now we know that the Giant squid really exists. Do the many decades of bogus reports (and real reports thought hoaxes) mean they what they finally found wasnt \*really \*a giant squid? Yes, the yeti was a bear all along. Yes, there were a few hoaxes and many bogus hypothesis as to what it was. That doesnt mean it wasnt real. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/77 "2019-05-02T06:26:31Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > You’re so charming. But that’s NOT the situation with the word Yeti. Sorry sucker, but English has made that word its own, and it don’t mean “bear”. yet·i /ˈyedē/ noun a large hairy creature resembling a human or bear, said to live in the highest part of the Himalayas. > **[Oxford Languages | The Home of Language Data](https://languages.oup.com/)** > > Explore Oxford Languages, the home of world-renowned language data. \*Definition of yeti in English: yeti NOUN A large hairy creature resembling a human or bear, said to live in the highest part of the Himalayas. Also called Abominable Snowman Example sentences Origin 1930s: apparently from a term in Sherpa (a local language) that is related to Tibetan gya ‘rocky place’ + dred ‘yellow bear, hyena’.\* Yep, “bear”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/78 "2019-05-02T11:02:33Z")
As a starting point, can we all agree that there is no Island of Misfit Toys? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/79 "2019-05-02T13:07:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > As a starting point, can we all agree that there is no Island of Misfit Toys? I thought it was The Island of MOSFET Toys. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064/80 "2019-05-02T13:44:01Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > yet·i > /ˈyedē/ > noun > > (snip) > > 1930s: apparently from a term in Sherpa (a local language) that is related to Tibetan gya ‘rocky place’ + dred ‘yellow bear, hyena’.\* > > Yep, “bear”. Or according to Bernard Heuvelmans’s _On the Track of Unknown Animals_: from Nepali ye / yi ‘there’, and Nepali ti, Tibetan teh ‘a living creature’ – thus, approximately, “that creature over there”. (Though admittedly, general consensus nowadays would seem to be that Heuvelmans, though passionately engaged with his subject, did not overall have much clue about it.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-solves-yeti/803064.md?page=5)