> The question is: what did the original users of the term mean by it?
African Rhinoceros!
I don't remember the details but I think it was something on the line of a description of "a large horse with a single large horn". Now if you imagine a large _gray_ horse with a single large horn it looks quite similar to a Rihno from afar.
Now where does the things about its horn being magical come from? Well Rihno horns are believed to have "magic" properties.
And what about it being white? It was added later, by people which never had seen it, I mean what is the most "stunning" looking real horse? A grate white one (for many people).
As a side note the unicorn from Siberia did exist alongside with humans, but is likely too old, to matter for the term unicorn. Through skeletons of it might have played a role, maybe.
Does it bother you that this mythical animal metaphor is being extended to yet another creature? But since we are here, I would consider Falkor the Luckdragon to be a better choice instead of a Pegasus.
I’d totally befriend a wild Pegasus if they still existed. Imagine having your friend Pegasus fly you everywhere instead of taking the bus for hours. Would have been so much better.
Many years ago, my father told me the story/joke of how the US-based marketing department at Mitsubishi had mis-heard the proposed name for the follow up to the "Colt" on a phone call from Japan.
Based on the horse theme, it seemed fairly legit. Turns out, there might even be some truth in the "Stallion" that never was!
On a separate matter, I would prefer to not use either term, but people love these convenient categories.
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