Who Smarted? – "Where Do Unicorns Come From?"

Podcast: Who Smarted? (Atomic Entertainment/Starglow Media)
Episode Release Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this myth-busting, giggle-filled episode, host Trusty and unicorn superfan Ally delve into the fascinating origins, history, and legendary tales of unicorns. Recording (in their imaginations) from the whimsical "Mythical Creature Convention" (aka MythCon), the duo explores the unicorn’s place in world myths, how people historically believed in their magical powers, and investigates whether real unicorns ever existed— all while weaving in pop culture, fun facts, and laughter tailored to curious kids and the adults who love them.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What IS a Unicorn?

• The word "unicorn" comes from the Latin “uni” (one) and “cornu” (horn), meaning "one horn."
  • [01:11] Ally: “Did you know the word unicorn comes from the Latin unique, which means one, and cornu, which means horn?”
• Physical description: a beautiful, magical, legendary horse-like creature with a single horn.

2. Unicorns in Ancient History and Folklore

• Reports of unicorns date back to Mesopotamia, ancient India, China, and Greece.
• Greek historian Theseus wrote about unicorns around 400 BCE, likely referring to rhinoceroses instead.
  • [01:39] Trusty: “But it turns out he was probably talking about a different one horned animal. Any guess what that might be, smarty pants? If you said a rhinoceros, you’re probably right.”

3. The Alicorn Mystery

• “Alicorn” can mean both the magical horn of a unicorn and a mythical horse with both wings and a unicorn horn (like a pegasus-unicorn mashup).
  • [03:59] Magical Michael: “An alicorn is both A, the magical horn of a unicorn, and B, a mythical horse with wings and a unicorn horn. Sort of like a cross between a unicorn and a pegasus.”

4. Ancient Beliefs: Magical Powers of the Unicorn

• Touching a unicorn supposedly granted eternal happiness and joy.
  • [01:31] Ally: “Legend says whoever touches a unicorn will find happiness and joy for the rest of their lives.”
• In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, unicorn horns (alicorns) were thought to purify water, heal wounds and diseases, and detect poisons.
  • [06:03] Ally: “The alicorn was one of the most well known remedies during the Middle ages and Renaissance period, too... People believed if they drank from cups of alicorn, it would heal them.”
  • Royals supposedly paid fortunes for “unicorn horns” that were actually narwhal tusks or rhino horns.
  • [06:51] Ally: “I read. Queen Elizabeth once paid £10,000 for an alicorn, which was the going price of a castle back in the 1500s.”

5. Unicorns as Symbols

• They represented nobility, power, independence, and were said to be fierce and impossible to catch.
  • [07:32] Ally: “They’re a symbol of nobility, power, and independence.”
• Only an innocent maiden could tame a unicorn, according to medieval bestiaries.
  • [07:51] Ally: “It says only an innocent maiden can tame a unicorn. It will lie down in her lap and fall asleep.”

6. Unicorn Superpowers and Legends

• Supposedly, unicorns can sense lies and punish liars.
  • [08:12] Trusty: “According to legend, clever unicorns can tell when someone does which of the following... The answer is B. Unicorns supposedly can tell when someone is lying.”
  • [08:36] Ally: “Yep, and then they pierce the liar through the heart with its horn.”
• They’re featured in literary works, art, and national symbols.

7. Unicorns in Modern Culture

• Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn.
  • [12:50] Ally: “My unicorn sense told me the other two answers were lies.”
  • [12:59] Trusty: “The unicorn was first introduced to the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland around the mid-1500s. And you can see depictions of unicorns all over Scotland.”
• The truth behind the horns: most “unicorn horns” were actually from rhinos or narwhals (“unicorns of the sea”), and their “magical” properties were likely due to keratin’s chemical reactions with poisons.
  • [13:26] Ally: “Scientists... discovered those alicorns everyone wanted were actually horns from rhinoceroses.”
  • [13:58] Ally: “Or the tusks of marine animals like walruses and narwhals. In fact, narwhals are sometimes called the unicorn of the sea.”

8. Unicorns: Real or Imaginary?

• No scientific proof exists that unicorns were ever real.
  • [14:11] Ally: “But no, there is no scientific evidence proving unicorns ever existed.”
• They live on in imagination, culture, and hearts.
  • [14:39] Trusty: “In your heart.”
  • [14:44] Trusty: “Not to mention, unicorns also live in our imaginations.”

9. Memorable Unicorn Trivia

• National Unicorn Day is April 9th.
  • [14:53] Trusty: “Every April 9 is celebrated as National Unicorn Day.”
• Successful startups are nicknamed "unicorns."
  • [14:56] Trusty: “Did you know businesses that become really successful and make lots of money are called unicorns?”
  • Special people are often called "unicorns" for their uniqueness or spark.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [01:30] Ally: “Unicorns are like pretty ponies with one big spiral horn on their foreheads. They’re the best. They’re beautiful, they’re magical, they’re legendary.”
• [03:31] Ally: “Did you know my name, Ali is short for Alicorn?”
• [06:24] Ally: “People would pay a lot of money for an alicorn, especially the royals, because it... protected them against poison.”
• [07:32] Ally: “They’re a symbol of nobility, power, and independence. Ancient Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote about the unicorns in his famous book Natural History.”
• [08:36] Ally: “Unicorns supposedly can tell when someone is lying.”
• [13:26] Ally: “In fact, it turns out rhino horns may have been able to detect poison because they’re mostly composed of the protein keratin, which is in your hair and fingernails.”
• [14:39] Trusty: “In your heart.”
• [14:56] Trusty: “Did you know businesses that become really successful and make lots of money are called unicorns? And people who are really special and beautiful inside and out are also referred to as unicorns. Like you, Ally.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:59 – Introduction of unicorn theme
• 01:11 – Origin of the word “unicorn”
• 01:39 – Unicorns in history and myth
• 03:31 – Meaning of "alicorn"
• 06:03 – Alicorn’s supposed magical properties and importance in history
• 07:32 – Symbolic meaning of unicorns
• 08:12 – Legend: unicorns detect lies
• 12:59 – The unicorn as Scotland’s national animal
• 13:26 – Scientific explanation for “unicorn horns”
• 14:11 – Are unicorns real? Imagination and meaning
• 14:53 – National Unicorn Day and modern “unicorns”

Episode Takeaway

This episode masterfully fuses history, science, and myth, revealing unicorns as creations of the human imagination inspired by real animals. From medieval beliefs about the magical power of alicorns to the unicorn's symbolic stature in modern life, Trusty, Ally, and Magical Michael demonstrate that while unicorns may not be scientifically real, their enduring spirit lives in stories, art, culture, and the hearts—and dreams—of unicorn fans everywhere.

Perfect For: Kids, families, and anyone who wants to chuckle and learn a whiff about legendary history, myth-busting, and the magic of imagination!