Myth

According to common understanding of the theory of evolution Man (and Woman) are both decended from apes.

Reality

Sorry to sound all scientific Mono Sapiens are a member of the super-family Hominoids. This consists of two families of hominoids:

1. The family Hylobatidae consists of 4 genera and 12 species of gibbons, including the Lar and the Siamang, collectively known as the "lesser apes";
2. The family Hominidae consisting of gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans, collectively known as the "great apes"

However, if you imagine the Hominidae as being a tree truck, then apes and humans are on two different branches. Essentially they have an older, historic common ancestor who you will now famously remember as being called the 'missing link'.

Tags: Missing link, ape