Posted on 03/21/2016 7:52:57 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
Shackleton, Endeavour, Falcon and ... Boaty McBoatface?
These are some of the names that have been suggested for the United Kingdom's new state-of-the-art polar research vessel that's slated to take to the seas in 2019.
Can you guess which one is leading the vote?
Britain's Natural Environment Research Council asked the public to help think of possible monikers for the new world-class ship, urging them to look for "an inspirational name" that exemplifies the vessel's mission, a historical figure, movement, landmark or a famous polar explorer or scientist.
"The polar research ship represents a leap forward in securing Britain's place as a world leader in marine and climate change science — and illustrates this government's commitment to invest in research facilities on a record scale," Jo Johnson, minister of universities and science, said in the initial press release. "Can you imagine one of the world's biggest research labs travelling to the Antarctic with your suggested name proudly emblazoned on the side?"
A name like, you know, Boaty McBoatface.
Since the NERC announced the poll, the Internet (as it is wont to do) hijacked it and went full-steam ahead with Boaty McBoatface. While the poll's Web page is experiencing "technical issues" due to what the NERC said was "overwhelming interest," Boaty McBoatface had amassed 27,000 votes as of Monday morning, while the second place pick had racked up around 3,000, according to the BBC.
Other perhaps less-than-inspirational names suggested include Ice Ice Baby, Usain Boat and It's Bloody Cold Here.
Snip
Meanwhile, the man who proposed the name Boaty McBoatface, former BBC radio host James Hand, has "apologized profusely" for his joke run amok.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
More proof for the GOPe that democracy just doesn't work.
....knowing the UK’s current state....is Ahmed Riffraff far off?
Arctic Sharia.......
The Brits like to give nicknames to things, just as we do. They just usually tend to choose something most Americans would not first think of. They call a cat = Moggy, they will call Madonna = Madge. Paul McCartney = Macca. Mom = Mum.
It’s good when countries hold on to what makes them distinctive in positive ways.
Thanks Marty!
“This is why we can’t have nice things”
Well put.
This Arctic research vessel should be called the-—
RV BRRRR
It’s nice to have a nautical name. Who wouldn’t want to sail on the Boaty McBoatface?
Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin would approve of this name and feed the crew spam!
They would!
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