List
One of the following does not belong.
A) Mussolini
B) Hitler
C) Noriega
D) Saddam
E) Stalin
F) Bush
G) Churchill
If you answered (D) Saddam, you are correct! All the other leaders are referred to by their last names.
Saddam Hussein is the only non-monarch, non-Pope head of state (at least that I can think of) who is almost universally referred to by his first name.
Excepting the current administration, talking heads, and tabloids, even more established and journalistically credible organizations (i.e. NPR, Wall Street Journal, CNN, etc.) refer to Saddam Hussein not as "Hussein," but as "Saddam."
How did this practice take hold? The effect certainly seems perjorative. A kooky conspiracist might claim there was a plot to turn the public against him through this practice, but I think it might be a little less orchestrated than that. Come to think of it, the practice has a warm, cuddly effect.
In any event, please share your thoughts. I am perplexed.
A) Mussolini
B) Hitler
C) Noriega
D) Saddam
E) Stalin
F) Bush
G) Churchill
If you answered (D) Saddam, you are correct! All the other leaders are referred to by their last names.
Saddam Hussein is the only non-monarch, non-Pope head of state (at least that I can think of) who is almost universally referred to by his first name.
Excepting the current administration, talking heads, and tabloids, even more established and journalistically credible organizations (i.e. NPR, Wall Street Journal, CNN, etc.) refer to Saddam Hussein not as "Hussein," but as "Saddam."
How did this practice take hold? The effect certainly seems perjorative. A kooky conspiracist might claim there was a plot to turn the public against him through this practice, but I think it might be a little less orchestrated than that. Come to think of it, the practice has a warm, cuddly effect.
In any event, please share your thoughts. I am perplexed.
posted by "Carl" at 3:05 PM
5 Comments:
i used to think it was because the leader of Jordan, a mere stone's throw away, was also named Hussein. But I think there's something to do with surnames and naming conventions that is radically different from what we do here. Confuse yourself further.
Thank you. Although that clarifies nothing, I feel less crazy.
Carl "Marilyn Vos Savant" Wedoff brain teaser. Answers at the end of the column.
Kim Jong-Il goes by his full name only. Respect?
ju
"Fidel"
I'll give you like, err, half-credit for Fidel.
I can't really see Jim Lehrer referring to him as "Fidel." Chris Matthews? Definitely.
Kim Jong-Il. Huh. I don't think North Korea really exists. It seems like something out of a science-fiction novel. Then again, our vice-President just shot some dude in the face.
In any event, the Wikipedia link is insane and apparently it's the proper thing to call him "Saddam," and I guess he has other names that we don't know about? Like al-Tikriti or something. (I guess that's cause he's from Tikrit?) It didn't even make much sense, but everyone seems smart and the debate is RAGING.
I'm glad I didn't make a bunch of wacky conclusions about the "Saddam" thing. I am happy with the lively discussion that's taken place.
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