It's not quite accurate to say Mount Everest was "discovered" in the way we think of discovering a new species or a lost city. It was known to local people for centuries before it was measured and recognized as the highest peak on Earth.

Here's a breakdown of the story:

* Local knowledge: The Sherpa people, who live in the region of Mount Everest, have long referred to the mountain as "Chomolungma," which means "Goddess Mother of the World" in Tibetan.

* First recorded measurement: In 1852, a British surveyor named Andrew Waugh calculated the height of the peak, initially naming it "Peak XV." Later, the mountain was officially named Mount Everest in honor of Sir George Everest, a previous Surveyor General of India.

* First ascent: The first successful ascent of Mount Everest was in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Therefore, while Mount Everest was always there, its official recognition as the highest peak in the world and its naming came in 1852 with Andrew Waugh's calculations.