Cain 2018 In My Tribe v3-final revision_RB_JDM.docx 25 June 2018 In My Tribe: What the Snouters (and Other Jokes) Reveal About Tribes in Science Professor Joe Cain Department of Science and TecHnology Studies, University College London Corresponding author: Joe Cain,
[email protected], TelepHone: +44 207 679 3041 Permanent address: Department of Science and TecHnology Studies, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom Abstract This paper tells tHe History of tHis famous joke in science: Gerolf Steiner’s invention of the Rhinogradentia using the pseudonym Harald Stümpke. It follows tHis story from tHis joke’s creation in tHe 1940s, to the relabelling of Rhinogradentia as “snouters” in tHe 1960s, to later use as an inside joke witHin zoology and taxonomy. Steiner’s original monograpH for tHese imaginary creatures followed standard conventions in taxonomy and did not disclose its fictitious nature. It was a tall tale for specialists to cherish. Later, Steiner’s joke took on a life of its own as His monograpH functioned to identify communities of shared understanding and to spot lapses in expertise. This study places Steiner’s story witHin “jokelore,” arguing the rhinograde narrative has been repeated, shared, extended, and mimicked by diverse groups so they may accomplish either social work or intellectual work witHin the context of particular tribes and intellectual traditions. Highlights 1. Revises historical narratives of Gerolf Steiner’s invention of the Rhinogradentia, or snouters, using the pseudonym Harald Stümpke 2. Presents many examples in wHich Steiner’s joke was repeated, shared, extended, and mimicked 3.