Is this pun based software project appropriate?
January 15, 2021 8:43 AM Subscribe
I have an idea for a very light hearted software project, based on a pun on "Geronimo". Do you think this is appropriate?
I had a silly idea for a software package. It's meant to evoke randomness, and to be honest the entire idea came from the play on words I've derived from "Geronimo!"
However, I am aware that Geronimo was a real person, and a native American as well; I am British and my only exposure growing up to the phrase was via cartoons, so that's what it evokes for me, but I'm aware that that may not be true for everyone, and may come across as insensitive or even racist.
I'm really not sure how much push back there is about using the cry Geronimo to mean making a leap into the unknown given it's history. I'd be keen to hear perspectives other than my own on this.
I had a silly idea for a software package. It's meant to evoke randomness, and to be honest the entire idea came from the play on words I've derived from "Geronimo!"
However, I am aware that Geronimo was a real person, and a native American as well; I am British and my only exposure growing up to the phrase was via cartoons, so that's what it evokes for me, but I'm aware that that may not be true for everyone, and may come across as insensitive or even racist.
I'm really not sure how much push back there is about using the cry Geronimo to mean making a leap into the unknown given it's history. I'd be keen to hear perspectives other than my own on this.
Response by poster: Hmm i should mention the name is not geronimo, but a pun based on the word geronimo
posted by Cannon Fodder at 9:22 AM on January 15, 2021
posted by Cannon Fodder at 9:22 AM on January 15, 2021
Yeah, speaking as an American, I'd say let this go. I'm not sure how much pushback there IS about using the name of a respected leader of targets of genocide, but there SHOULD be pushback. This word belongs to other people, and it doesn't sound like your project treats it in a respectful way. (Not that you mean disrespect, but using it for random frivolity is just not a good idea.)
posted by rikschell at 9:39 AM on January 15, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 9:39 AM on January 15, 2021 [9 favorites]
Noooooooop. There's a company (owned and founded by a very rich white woman) that calls itself Geronimo in our area, and nobody in my circles can mention it without rolling their eyes or making air quotes or grimacing.
posted by BrashTech at 10:35 AM on January 15, 2021
posted by BrashTech at 10:35 AM on January 15, 2021
There was controversy about using the code name Geronimo to refer to Osama bin Laden in the US. I'd pick a new name.
posted by jabes at 10:45 AM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by jabes at 10:45 AM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
How can you accurately say that the phrase only invokes cartoons for you? Is "I'm British" really going to be your defense? Oh dear.
1) You know Geronimo is not a nonsense word but the name of a real person.
2) You know that he was a native American.
3) Presumably you are aware that the United States systematically killed and subjugated the native population in horrendous ways.
4) You have access to the internet for plenty of succinct explanations of who Geronimo was.
(P.S. "Geromino!" doesn't invoke randomness.)
posted by desuetude at 3:50 PM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
1) You know Geronimo is not a nonsense word but the name of a real person.
2) You know that he was a native American.
3) Presumably you are aware that the United States systematically killed and subjugated the native population in horrendous ways.
4) You have access to the internet for plenty of succinct explanations of who Geronimo was.
(P.S. "Geromino!" doesn't invoke randomness.)
posted by desuetude at 3:50 PM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
This is really a matter of opinion and can't really be answered in any definitive way.
I'd be fine with it, as would most of the people I know.
Especially if it is just a play off the word itself.
But in just asking this question, you must have already known someone would have an issue with it and you'll basically just have to decide how much the project name means to you versus how much hassle it might be to keep having to explain it.
posted by madajb at 4:57 PM on January 15, 2021
I'd be fine with it, as would most of the people I know.
Especially if it is just a play off the word itself.
But in just asking this question, you must have already known someone would have an issue with it and you'll basically just have to decide how much the project name means to you versus how much hassle it might be to keep having to explain it.
posted by madajb at 4:57 PM on January 15, 2021
While I am personally not offended I can see why it'd be... culturally insensitive to use it.
I am sure you can pick a different word that doesn't have a real person attached to it... even if you have to make it up.
posted by kschang at 7:09 PM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
I am sure you can pick a different word that doesn't have a real person attached to it... even if you have to make it up.
posted by kschang at 7:09 PM on January 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
I think the problem is that the word is often used as a “GO!” word for military/police tactical assaults here in the US ( at least in movies and television); it has terrible connotations.
posted by coldhotel at 5:44 AM on January 16, 2021
posted by coldhotel at 5:44 AM on January 16, 2021
This would be a no. Geronimo was a complicated guy, but the bottom line is he has descendants who are not fans of his name being used/appropriated. You can see them quoted in articles about the "Code Name Geronimo" controversy jabes refers to.
posted by gudrun at 8:21 AM on January 16, 2021
posted by gudrun at 8:21 AM on January 16, 2021
Wikipedia says there are multiple possible origins for the expression being used for parachutists.
The most likely version was explained in better detail by the Straight Dope.
posted by kschang at 1:19 PM on January 19, 2021
The most likely version was explained in better detail by the Straight Dope.
posted by kschang at 1:19 PM on January 19, 2021
Response by poster: Thanks everyone, I suspected this would be the response I would get.
The name had occured to me a little before I remembered that geronimo had more roots than a cry made while leaping out of a plane, and a little googling made me feel uncomfortable, so Im glad that I followed up on this.
The whole idea of the project was to make people laugh, and I definitely dont want to make anyone uncomfortable. Will ditch the name and see if i can come up with something better!
posted by Cannon Fodder at 2:08 AM on January 24, 2021
The name had occured to me a little before I remembered that geronimo had more roots than a cry made while leaping out of a plane, and a little googling made me feel uncomfortable, so Im glad that I followed up on this.
The whole idea of the project was to make people laugh, and I definitely dont want to make anyone uncomfortable. Will ditch the name and see if i can come up with something better!
posted by Cannon Fodder at 2:08 AM on January 24, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mkb at 8:51 AM on January 15, 2021