3 ms·

I was unaware they were no longer called Fairy Penguins.

• neuronexmachina 8y ago
  Fun fact, one of these were actually Linus's inspiration for the Linux penguin mascot: https://web.archive.org/web/20060507115127/http://www.linux.org.au/linux/tux https://web.archive.org/web/20060507115127/http://www.linux....
• emiliobumachar 8y ago
  Anyone could clarify what's politically incorrect about that name? English is not my native language.
  • iguy 8y ago
    The word is occasionally used to mean gay, although the meaning of small imaginary creatures is still much more common.
    • fenwick67 8y ago
      I wonder if it's more commonly used that way in Australia?
      • dwd 8y ago
        The Australian usage is more along the lines of an weak or effeminate man, similar in usage to pansy.
  • MisterTea 8y ago
    Source: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615908/posts http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615908/posts tl;dr Someone dolt at the Queensland zoo thought fairy penguin would offend the gay community so they changed the name to little penguins. The gay community responded to the change calling it ridiculous. No one was offended. It was NOT an issue but merely and amusing footnote. Why the BBC author chose to dredge up a 13 year old political non issue is beyond me.
    • nicwolff 8y ago
      Especially when there's a town called Port Fairy not ten miles west. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Fairy+VIC+3284 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Fairy+VIC+3284
• MisterTea 8y ago
  Wikipedia states: 'In Australia, they are often called fairy penguins because of their small size.' So it appears to be an Australian term.