jackalope

noun

jack·a·lope | \ ˈja-kə-ˌlōp

plural jackalopes

Definition of jackalope

: 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