I agree with other folks in this thread who think that the name "The Gimp" (Pulp Fiction reference) is too offensive and something with this name can probably never gain mass adoption because it's a hurtful thing to say. The word gimp is a somewhat-outdated word to insult a crippled person. An in-context usage would be e.g. evil bullies at a playground back in ~1910 beating up a crippled kid while calling him a gimp. The Pulp Fiction scene is a reference to this context, where a character is temporarily restrained (gimped) by that sex suit. I really don't see how software named "Gimp" could be discussed on corporate email threads and stuff without that being rude. It's pretty similar to if the software were named "Little Cripple".
Agreed completely. It is annoying how this is constantly brushed off by some people, especially the project contributors. We should just 'get over it'. Well I can get over it, but how can I pitch this to my boss with a straight face? Or deploy it to 500 users on company managed devices?
When the new hire is offended by the icon on their desktop that says GIMP, I should just say to them, "get over it"?
"git" means asshole and nobody seems to have a problem with that. I remember my parents being shocked when I first told them that my software was on "GitHub".
The difference is that asshole isn't a term that preys on the weak. Asshole can describe anyone you don't like, whereas terms like "gimp", "midget", or "retard" are terms that belittle those who might not be able to fully defend themselves in a physical fight. It's a whole 'nother level of cruelty that implies bullies beating someone up and then laughing.
