this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
213 points (95.3% liked)

Linux

65327 readers
650 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 7 years ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] helix@feddit.org 110 points 3 weeks ago (11 children)

I think they should keep both names and just have WLBR be the "enterprise" version.

However, in non-English speaking countries, nobody has an issue with GIMP. And even my very religious and Murican MIL uses Gimp. She doesn't even know.

If anything, those discussions further the association, as they come up when you google "gimp program sexual" or sth like that.

It's short for GNU image manipulation program. I mean, you could short it to imp, or rename it to Picture & Image Manipulation Program (PIMP).

[–] mech@feddit.org 70 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

I propose Scriptable Image Manipulation Program (SIMP)

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 18 points 3 weeks ago

SIMPly genius!

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] wltr@discuss.tchncs.de 31 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] EmK@lemmy.ca 25 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

It must be something that can't possibly be construed as sexual innuendo, like Linux Image Manipulation Program (LIMP)...

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml 23 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (7 children)

Gimp is really just a rare/archaic ableist slur anyway - like to refer to someone with a limp or otherwise a leg/lack of a leg that impedes their gait. I've never heard it used in my life.

The sexual usage is from gay bdsm subculture in the 70s that the large majority of ppl who are aware of it are only aware because of Pulp Fiction.

My vote is for pimp

load more comments (7 replies)
load more comments (7 replies)
[–] xnx@piefed.social 85 points 3 weeks ago (11 children)

From a name you don’t want to say to a name you can’t say

[–] decended_being@midwest.social 33 points 3 weeks ago

I think you just pronounce it Wilbur

load more comments (10 replies)
[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 63 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I will be locking this issue to avoid non-core developers spamming with the same walls of texts about the project name.

Bruno is a very wise man.

[–] commander@lemmy.world 54 points 3 weeks ago (10 children)

It took me reading the comments here to get that it's pronounced Wilbur. I don't get why it needs to be an acronym

It's not open source unless the package name is a scabby dumpster fire.

load more comments (9 replies)
[–] furycd001@lemmy.ml 51 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

GIMP is GIMP. It’s been GIMP for decades, and that name carries history, recognition, and a community that built something genuine. Rebranding it to WLBR feels like throwing all of that away for the sake of optics that most longtime users like myself frankly don’t care about. It's not progress in any way, it’s unnecessary self-erasure. GIMP works, GIMP is known as such, and GIMP should stay exactly what it is....

[–] Scrollone@feddit.it 25 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Also, WLBR sucks ass as a name. Just call it Glimpse at this point.

LibreOffice managed to dethrone OpenOffice, but many people still call it OpenOffice even after all these years.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (8 replies)
[–] yoevli@lemmy.world 41 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I can understand the desire to change it given that the current name is arguably a slur in some contexts, but this is a terrible new name. There was a fork awhile back with this same motivation called "Glimpse" - I really think they should have chosen a name with some continuity from the original, and certainly not what looks to be an initialism (I never would have come to "Wilbur" on my own).

[–] Joelk111@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (6 children)

I also would not have come to Wilbur on my own. Gimp is a weird name, but at least it's pronouncable. Glimpse sounds great to me tbh. A nod to GIMP, but also a sensical name.

load more comments (6 replies)
[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 41 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] msfroh@lemmy.ca 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The sound of a dog drinking from a sprinkler?

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] ghaydn@lemmy.4d2.org 38 points 3 weeks ago

Sooo, basically they're changing the name that's somewhat bad in English to the name that's terrible in all languages? Huh.

[–] MrSoup@lemmy.zip 38 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Why not just Wilber? Just like the mascot.

[–] slartibartfast141@piefed.zip 41 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

The Linux community can't let an opportunity for an acronym to go to waste. Even more so for a backronym.

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 37 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Since it's called the GNU Image Manipulation Program, why not pick up the extremely low hanging fruit and call it GNU Imp? It also comes with a free mascot.

Edit: And given that Wilber already has a cheeky smile and two horn-like ears, it wouldn't even be that much of a new mascot either. I mean come on people, do I have to think of everything around here?

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] chunes@lemmy.world 36 points 3 weeks ago (22 children)

Where are people getting that this is a rebrand?

It's just an environment variable you can set that changes the name if it offends you.

load more comments (22 replies)
[–] unwarlikeExtortion@lemmy.ml 36 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (19 children)

To be honest, this seems like a stupid fix to a non-issue.

There's already Latex, and the purists calling it Lateh only make it seem like they know and are ashamed.

Or Uranus being pronounced not as your-anus but urine-us. The "alternate/kid-friendly" option is just plain worse. It also teaches kids certain words are bad, which is a bad idea for a multitude of resons I won't get into.

I say keep GIMP GIMP, loud and clear. No need to be ashamed, because it isn't shameful.

Attempting to avoid this absolute non-issue by ingenious pronounciation or rebranding just exacerbates the issue.

It's called "GIMP" and not "Fuck Me then Go Out The Door". Wether or not GIMP was a moment of "funny humor" or not is beside the point. The "official" explanation is perfectly belieavable, and therefore suitable enough. Just run with it.

If an idiot asks "Why's it called like [insert-here]", just say it's a fucking coincidence and you don't care. Call them dirty-minded for bonus points.

load more comments (19 replies)
[–] excel@lemming.megumin.org 34 points 3 weeks ago

And here I was worried they would pick another terrible name.

[–] netvor@lemmy.world 25 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

"WLBR"

..just rolllrrrs .. lorrrs .. rolls off the tongue!

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] winni@piefed.social 21 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Rokin@leminal.space 20 points 3 weeks ago

I really like the name GIMP.

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago

So, we'll pronounce it "Wilbur"?

I'm sure those in charge of this had the argument and went 'round and 'round with it. And, this is what they came up with.

Whatever, we'll get used to it, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. It will probably hurt brand recognition more than the mildly-offensive "GIMP" ever has. At least when noobs heard "gimp", their ears would perk up in mild surprise, and they'd ask what it is, there-by solidifying the product in their minds. "Wilbur" just won't have the same effect, because there's no surprise. They'll ask, but the impact will not be as great, and they'll forget. "Wilbur" is forgettable as a name for anything, or anyone. "Gimp" is not.

[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Hear me out.. Everything doesn't have to be an acronym.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 17 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Is WLBR supposed to be an abbreviation for something? I realize it is a reference to the mascot Wilber, but apart from that?

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] apftwb@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago

Years of jokes, wasted.

[–] Andrzej3K@hexbear.net 15 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm in favor of renaming but could they not have included a vowel or two

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] RedWeasel@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

Couldn’t they just call it IMP(Image Manipulation Program)?

[–] savvywolf@pawb.social 16 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Yeah, GNU IMP. Recognisable and easy to understand for those familiar with the old name.

WLBR just seems like people being clever for clevers sake.

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[–] mogoh@lemmy.ml 14 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Why not something pronounceable?

[–] libre_warrior@lemmy.ml 12 points 3 weeks ago

The name needs to reflect the advanced nature of the program. Gimp is so simple to remember that a commoner would get the impression that they could also use it.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

WLBR was the local radio station from my home town in PA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLBR

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] cookiecoookie@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago

Wilbur didn't want food, he wanted love.

E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

[–] harambe69@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

If we stop using words because someone, at some point in time, misused them and attached negative connotations to them, then by 2100 the english language will be censored in its entirety.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›