The GIMP name controversy, explained
www.spacebar.news
external-link
GIMP was named after a character in Pulp Fiction. More than 20 years later, the name remains controversial and could be holding back the project.
@Floon@lemmy.ml
link
fedilink
44
edit-2
6M

The name holds it back more than you know. No EP or AD wants to put “The GIMP” on their software list for a project. I have to have a conversation with someone ensuring we’re good on all our licenses, and they ask, “What is this GIMP thing?” Answering it makes me sound like an unprofessional jackass. The company would rather just pay Adobe.

I don’t even want to tell people I use it because of its name. I would never bring it up in a work setting in this day and age when I look at Slack and see everyone list their pronouns.

The fact they haven’t clued into this is just wild to me. A shame it throws the work of so many people under the bus.

Also, to call it after the Pulp Fiction character is insane to me. Let alone that everyone on the team signed off on it. What were the second choices? Diarrhea? Herpes? Like dafuq.

beefbot
link
fedilink
166M

It reeks of 12 year old boy saying “FART” to make his friends laugh

Or some edgelord trying to get people to watch 2 girls 1 cup back in the day. The scene in the movie was deeply disturbing. It actually made my partner at the time cry because she had been SAed before. Even for me, I did not enjoy and while the movie was amazing, the scene only took away from the film (I know the entire thing was hyper violent and disturbing).

I can’t even imagine referring to it let alone thinking back on it fondly. I always thought GIMP was an acronym. This news shook me because I’m actually on the contributor list.

Also, I would never admit its origin in this day and age. I’m still in shock learning this!

It should be renamed to GLIMPSE. Gnu/Linux Image Manipulation Program Special Edition

ElectricMachman
link
fedilink
English
16M

I liked GLIDE, which was suggested a few years ago, though I can’t remember what the acronym was now

meseek #2982
link
fedilink
36M

YES! 👏👏

deleted by creator

Baggins
link
fedilink
English
216M

This. No amount of excuses or lengthy explanations. It’s childish and unprofessional.

Most of the world does not have English as a first language and thus the meaning of the word “gimp” is not widely known. Personally I do agree that the name is dumb, but it’s a very English as a first language issue. My daughter is learning to do basic stuff with GIMP in school because it’s free. The name is not an issue because nobody knows what a gimp is.

I’ll use the cliche meme of “I was today years old when I learned where the name comes from”. Just made the connection when I read this article, and I love Pulp Fiction.

But I too am not a native English speaker. Just always accepted the clunky acronym as the reason for the name.

I guess you can’t quantify how much the name has helped it. How many people remember it because of its quirky name. Without knowing both numbers it’s hard to know if it’s a net positive or negative.

Meanwhile I still don’t know what gimp is besides it being a graphics software.

Liz
link
fedilink
English
146M

A gimp is any of the following:

  1. A cripple
  2. A particular kind of BDSM role
  3. Twisted silk, worsted, or cotton with cord or wire running through it, used chiefly as upholstery trimming.
  4. (in lacemaking) coarser thread which forms the outline of the design in some techniques.
  5. fishing line made of silk bound with wire.

The last three I got from the internet.

Ok, now the name is actually weird.

“Eww, like the coarser thread which forms the outline of the design in some lacemaking techniques!? That is just a bit gross don’t you think?”

Gimp is a slur for people with physical disabilities in the UK at least

meseek #2982
link
fedilink
36M

Same in Canada and the US. If someone calls you a gimp, it’s a derogatory term that belittles your physical abilities.

Liz
link
fedilink
English
36M

It’s kinda a slur in the US in the sense that people claim it’s a slur, but I’ve never heard anyone actually use it that way.

No one. No one remembers it fondly because it’s got a “quirky” name. That’s not how software works. People use software because it’s useful. Not because it’s edgy or has memorable branding. I would rather a competent design tool period. The name is irrelevant. We aren’t selling cookies or an energy drink. We are empowering people to get things done. You think your spoon with a hole in it is going to sell because you call it “Faggot”?

Create a post

A nice place to discuss rumors, happenings, innovations, and challenges in the technology sphere. We also welcome discussions on the intersections of technology and society. If it’s technological news or discussion of technology, it probably belongs here.

Remember the overriding ethos on Beehaw: Be(e) Nice. Each user you encounter here is a person, and should be treated with kindness (even if they’re wrong, or use a Linux distro you don’t like). Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Subcommunities on Beehaw:


This community’s icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

  • 1 user online
  • 147 users / day
  • 307 users / week
  • 617 users / month
  • 2.26K users / 6 months
  • 1 subscriber
  • 3.36K Posts
  • 67.7K Comments
  • Modlog