It's a translation from a Finnish researcher - hormones are cell to cell messengers, and they come in 3 basic varieties - amine-derived, peptide and Lipid. I think the semi-hormone name is given to the derivatives of amino acids - but I am way out of my depth here.

Endorphins are polypeptides. Serotonin is a amino-derived neurotransmitter. Dopamine is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. So it's all very confusing ;-) But that researcher always told me to make the distinction. Just following orders, sah!

You can't be me, I'm taken