Why is the Unicorn+Pegasus combo called Alicorn?

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I'm trying to figure out the logic behind this.

 

Where does the "Ali" come from?

 

I watched all of the seasons back to back, so if it was mentioned I don't really remember. 

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think the ali comes from the combination of the wings of a pegasus and the horn of a unicorn, since the prefix -ali means another so it would have to mean the combination of the two or the addition of another whether the wings or the horn are added.

[PoisonClaw 8,164]

Believe it or not, Alicorn is an actual term used to describe a winged unicorn in myths and legends, named for the substance that makes up a unicorn horn. Or as Wikipedia puts it:

 

 

A winged unicorn is a fictional equine with the wings of a pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. There is no specific name given to such creature, but it is sometimes referred to using a portmanteau of pegasus and unicorn.

 

 

In some literature and media, it is also erroneously referred as an "alicorn", which is a historical word for a horn of unicorn

[Wingnut 6,988]

The word alicorn is not very commonly used in the English language.  It isn't recognized by most spell checkers.  Yet I've definitely heard it used all my life as a term for winged unicorns.  The word also has a rather odd etymology.  http://www.reddit.com/r/mylittlepony/comments/18aja5/adventures_in_etymology_alicorn/

 

One thing I find fascinating is that MLP:FiM totally avoided the word alicorn until the episode Magic Duel.  Until then, I am aware of no official material containing it.  In fact, MLP Wiki, which strives for studious accuracy, originally classed Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance as "unicorn pegasus" ponies.  A rather clumsy designation if you ask me.  But after the word alicorn was introduced to the franchise lexicon, they are now categorized as alicorns. 

 

There was even a rumor, completely false, that Bronies invented the word alicorn and it was later adopted by the makers of MLP:FiM.  Talk about hubris! 

Edited November 17, 2013 by Wingnut

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

Though I believe the term Alicorn wasn't used around my area till this show aired, orginally I called a unicorn with wings a Unipeg or Pegacorn. But since the term Alicorn has been arised, I actually prefer that term more then the ones I use. The ones I use are obviously made up and are debatable.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Lightning Bliss

[NavelColt 22,879]

I always associated it as 'all-icorn', just without the second 'l'. As they're a combination of Earth, Pegasus and Unicorn, they're all the primary pony species in one.

[Hiram32 20]

The word alicorn is not very commonly used in the English language.  It isn't recognized by most spell checkers.  Yet I've definitely heard it used all my life as a term for winged unicorns.  The word also has a rather odd etymology.  http://www.reddit.com/r/mylittlepony/comments/18aja5/adventures_in_etymology_alicorn/

 

That etymology is close to how I figured the word came about, but a little lengthy.  Simply put, in Latin, "ala" means wing, and "cornu/us" means horn.  So literally, "Alacornu" translates to "wing horn".  I would imagine that if there is evidence of the word existing in ancient Rome, then it probably just changed spelling a bit as languages evolved.

Edited November 18, 2013 by BlakeLC

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

This is very interesting information, everypony! Thanks!

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

This very much is, I love that theres some scientific reasoning behind the name.

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

@@Lightning Bliss,

 

I really love your avatar!

Edited November 18, 2013 by Twila Starsong

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

@

 

Oh thank you! I designed my OC myself, prefer to represent myself the way i see me hehe. She's going to be undergoing a...small little change though after I get married in Dec *squee* you'll see later.

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

@@Lightning Bliss,

*claps* That sounds wonderful. Yay!   

[Doc. Volt 2,561]

much words from the show are from latin.. "ali" means wings in italian

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

No pony here hates alicorns I hope?

 

I love alicorns for their metaphorical representation in fantasy and in the show. For me, becoming an alicorn represents a new beginning, a new start to someones life or destiny.

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

@@Lightning Bliss,

 

I don't, considering Princess Luna is my favorite Alicorn, and my fan-made pony is an Alicorn, too!   

[Flutter's lover <3 8,205]

I actually  explained this in another post of a similar topic...

 

Copy and pasted from said topic:

 

They're the embodiment of all 3 pony types, hence the prefix "Al" to their species type. meaning "All".They have the 3 basic characteristics of each pony type, wings/flight for pegasus,horn/magic for unicorn, and strength/bonemass for earth ponies. Which also explains why an Alicorn's wings are larger than that of an average pegasus, because they have to carry that extra bone mass.

Edited November 18, 2013 by ~Flutterdash~

[Doc. Volt 2,561]

I actually  explained this in another post of a similar topic...

 

Copy and pasted from said topic:

 

They're the embodiment of all 3 pony types, hence the prefix "Al" to their species type. meaning "All".They have the 3 basic characteristics of each pony type, wings/flight for pegasus,horn/magic for unicorn, and strength/bonemass for earth ponies. Which also explains why an Alicorn's wings are larger than that of an average pegasus, because they have to carry that extra bone mass.

it's a nice idea, but i'm pretty sure it's all abaout the latin... look

 

celestia in italian is similar to "cielo" (sky), but in latin it means sunlight

Luna both in italian and in latin means moon

alicorn, "ali" is an italian (and latin) plural form of "ala" wich means in fact wing, so "ala" is wing, "ali" is wings... unicron + wings!

 

princess miamora cadenza it's an other example

[Shadling 348]

That also sound like "Aille", wings in French, Maybe there's some links there too...

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

Think we all have opinions and everyone has reasonable responses to this topic. Personally though based off the show itself I'm content with the idea of just unicorn and pegasus together making alicorn, not so much earth pony but that doesnt mean alicorns dont help earth ponies either. The fact the show bases Cloudsdale from Latin/Italian architecture and greek methology based on the hydra, and the manticore, it would make more sense so.. ya hehe

[Doc. Volt 2,561]

We should ask to  Sara XD, she will have the answer

[Marai Nickie 0]

well you see ali also stands for, in another sense, 3, because an alicorn is a unicorn,pegasus, and earth pony, this is why they have large wings and slim bodies, unless you count twighlight, so yeah....

[WriteCodes46 178]

Alicorn or Alicornium, is actually an English word that existed long before MLP, however it's actual meaning is the material a unicorn's horn is made of. Unicorns have horns made of alicorn/alicornium. Another way of putting it is that Twilight Sparkle was always 5% or so alicorn, literally.

 

Some people on 4chan began misusing the word to refer to the Earth Pony/Unicorn/Pegasus combo (it's actually all 3), and as usual the term was adopted by the fandom and eventually by Hasbro (who previously referred to them as unicorns).

[Prince Firemane 309]

Alicorns aren't the product of mixing just a Pegasus and a Unicorn, they have Earth Pony features too which is what I believe translates into them being taller than most other ponies. 'Tis also why a Unicorn breeding with a Pegasus wouldn't bear an Alicorn foal. As we all know, bronies latched themselves to the term long before it was used in the show. I knew a lot that used the term "Pegacorn" to describe them, but I never liked that as it just sounds odd and clunky. It hits the ear wrong. Alicorn, however, has a natural flow and grace to it. Not to mention the Latin translations of the prefix and suffix are very fitting. Not to mention that Alicorn is also the word used to describe the mineral/bone/compound that a Unicorn's horn is made of. That bit also lends itself to Alicorns in the show to be exceptionally magically gifted.