Humans are mermaids ( ancient free-divers and the aquatic ape theory)

[Derek Broussard]

I know most of you are in love with your tail, and to dismiss it would be defamation of the mermaid image; but bare with me.

I like to look back at what I think my ancestors where like, and as a freediver why am I so adapted to the ocean? A few scientist have concluded that humans are the Aquatic ape.

Basic info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquatic_ape_hypothesis

With that in mind there are many Tribes of people who live on the water. Even more so before the turn of the century. I could imagine a few ancient nautical explorers seeing these tribes for the first time. Being astounded by the depth and length of time in the water, and call them sea creatures.
If you tell your friend that you saw a "woman who lived in the sea" and they tell a couple more friends... It wont be long before they visualize a woman sea creature. Hence the tail.

A guy named William Bond wrote 11 chapters on why he thinks mermaids are real It's a long read but has some pretty insightful stuff.

[AniaR]

yes, Ive read about this before- quite plausible.

[MermaidSaku]

I am now hooked. : 0

[taom]

I love this idea! My boyfriend (who is eternally supportive of my mermaid obsession) told me about it. It's excellent to think that all this is founded in some truth.

[Aquatarian]

I'm really liking this!
It's much more plausible than the old "sea cow" theory. But no offense to the sirenians, I love me some dugongs.