dog-faced baboon. (Papio hamadryas) The nickname was also applied at times to the species Cynocephalus porcarius.

In ancient Egyptian religion, the Hamadryas Baboon was the attendant to—or perhaps an emblem of—Dihautī, better known by the Greek name, Thoth.In this same tradition, dog-faced baboons are sometimes depicted as guarding the gates to reincarnation.

These impressive mammals sometimes make the news, though usually not by this name. In 1892 the New York Times did offer some tidbits about Cynocephalus porcarius, “which, being interpreted, means dog-faced baboon.” The “remarkably intelligent” baboon named McGinty who was seized by Customs because the proper tariffs were not paid. Customs recouped $95.00, a remarkable sum in those days. The Times goes on to describe McGinty's intelligence and his various shenanigans including his predilictions for chewing tobacco and lager beer.