Pronunciation: [nˈe͡ɪkɪd ˈe͡ɪps] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "naked apes" follows the standard rules of English pronunciation. "Naked" is pronounced as /ˈneɪkɪd/, with the "a" pronounced as "ay" and the "e" as "eh". "Apes" is pronounced as /eɪps/, with the "a" pronounced as "ay" and the "e" as "ih". Together, the phrase refers to humans as a species, emphasizing both our lack of fur and our shared biological ancestry with other primates.
Naked apes is a term commonly used to refer to human beings, highlighting their distinct physical characteristics in comparison to other primates. The term emphasizes the human species' lack of dense body hair, particularly on the majority of their body surfaces.
The designation "naked" highlights the human primate's relative vulnerability to environmental factors without the protective covering of fur or hair. This unique feature has been interpreted as an adaptation to allow for better heat dissipation, enabling humans to survive in a broader range of climates. Furthermore, the absence of extensive body hair has prompted humans to develop alternative means of shelter, clothing, or technological advancements for protection from the elements.
Meanwhile, the term "apes" refers to the taxonomic classification of humans as a member of the primate family Hominidae, which includes great apes such as gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees, and orangutans, among others. Humans, therefore, share many biological and behavioral traits with their ape relatives, such as complex social structures, high cognitive abilities, and the ability to use tools.
Overall, the expression "naked apes" serves as a reminder of the unique physical attributes that differentiate human beings from other primates, emphasizing our explicitly hairless nature within the context of our evolutionary history as a member of the primate family.
The term "naked apes" was popularized by the British zoologist and ethologist Desmond Morris, who used it as the title of his 1967 book "The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal". The phrase itself is a metaphorical description of humans, emphasizing our lack of body hair compared to other primates and our vulnerability without the natural physical defenses found in other species. In this context, "naked" refers to the absence of fur or body hair, and "apes" is used to convey our evolutionary relationship to other great apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. The term gained significant attention and has since become a common way to highlight our biological similarities with other primates.
