jackalope

noun

jack·​a·​lope ˈja-kə-ˌlōp 

plural jackalopes

: a mythical animal that is reported chiefly from the western U.S. and is reputed to be the size of a small deer and to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope

Though stories mentioning horned creatures and animal hybrids exist in cultures and texts worldwide, in the U.S., the jackalope was "invented" by a creative hunter in Wyoming—paving the way for tourist attractions and cementing its place as a classic Americana relic.

—Kara Goldfarb

Do you really have the willpower to pass up snapping a photo of yourself with the 80-foot brontosaurus and giant stuffed jackalope out front?

—Bob Howells et al.

With a load of this brand of alcohol warming his belly, if a cowboy says he can lick double his weight of jackalopes, there's no doubt that he can't.

—Donald E. Getz

Papilloma viruses cause the hornlike growths in rabbits that probably gave rise to myths of "jackalopes" in the American West.

—Matthew Herper

Examples of jackalope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legend of the jackalope began as a light-hearted hoax, taxidermists combining rabbit bodies with deer antlers to create this mythical beast. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024

But the judge and Brun proceed along their questionable path, leaping to conclusions like happy jackalopes. —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Those who know little about the jackalope will be happy that Michael Branch has come hopping along. —Dave Shiflett, WSJ, 24 Feb. 2022

After sucking down root beer floats, kids can dance to an animatronic cowboy orchestra or pose atop a 6-foot-tall fiberglass jackalope. —Ashlea Halpern, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2021

Meet Bijou the bunny, dressed as a jackalope this year. —cleveland, 26 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

jack(rabbit) + -alope, respelling of -elope in antelope

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above