# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 436
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8711 "2024-01-20T21:35:48Z")
Orangutans scientific name is **Pongo**. Ain’t that cute? Watching “Any which way but loose” on TCM right now. Clint called Clyde an ape. So I hadda go look. They are Great Apes. Color me orange. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8712 "2024-01-20T22:12:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > > > Or the stories about Oriental potentates… > > I’m sure there was no offense intended, but nowadays the standard usage is to use the adjective “Oriental” only for objects, not for people. > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > That is an interesting and new fact for me. What word should be used instead? I first heard objections to the word “oriental” here on the Dope, and I think I have been here a bit longer than you, @Pardel-Lux. There still aren’t such aversions against that word in Germany, at least I never heard any. ETA: I just thought that there’s a disputed word where that’s reversed in English/German. The word “Zigeuner” for “gypsy” is mostly frowned upon in polite speech in Germany for at least 20 years in my perception, whereas “gypsy” seems to have been only disfavored in the last few years in the English speaking world. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8713 "2024-01-20T22:28:14Z")
Golly, I meant its usage ironically, as the post was about bunkum trivia, akin to Asiatic Hordes and Fleshpots of the East and all that Modo-movies silliness. And I despise the use of scare quotes, so often abused by the “how come Blacks get to use the N-word?” crowd. But I’m also a big believer in the Death of the Author: that any honest interpretation once a written piece is sent out is equally as valid as the writer’s intent. And so here, in contrition, I offer you the death of this author: “Blerk! Gasp - glurble! Ma! Ma! Wheeze, -blup-“ ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8714 "2024-01-20T22:36:22Z")
I disagree with that aversion you mention for the word Oriental, but I fear that is a hijack, so I am not going to pursue this argument. Gypsy (Zigeuner) is problematic too in the same sense (just think of the fact that Zigeuner is frowned upon, we are supposed to say _Sinti und Roma_, but hate of _Sinti und Roma_ is called “Antiziganismus”, where Ziganismus is directly derived from the word Zigeuner. It is a contradiction, absurd!). And in Spanish? There is only the word _gitano_, a group of people who do not belong to the Sinti or the Rom. I could go on, it is really complicated, but that would be futile. I will accept that rule here now that I know it exists, of course, the board may set rules as it sees fit. Fortunately for me the word Oriental is a word I seldom use, so I am not likely to fall foul of this rule. But I believe this is not well thought through. \< /hijack\> But thanks a lot for your explanation which I take as support, I really appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8715 "2024-01-20T22:39:42Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I disagree with that aversion you mention for the word Oriental, but I fear that is a hijack, so I am not going to pursue this argument. Nah, I don’t think that’s much of a hijack, we’re in the interesting random facts thread after all, and aren’t these interesting facts? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8716 "2024-01-20T22:41:00Z")
I am afraid they are only interesting until you get a warning from the mods. I’d rather not. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8717 "2024-01-20T22:41:12Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > (just think of the fact that Zigeuner is frowned upon, we are supposed to say _Sinti und Roma_, but hate of _Sinti und Roma_ is called “Antiziganismus”, where Ziganismus is directly derived from the word Zigeuner. It is a contradiction, absurd!). And in English, there’s a word that derives from the Romance language words for “black”, that’s completely unacceptable, but there’s another, very similar, word, that’s rather out of style but is still used in the name of a reputable and respected nonprofit. Shrug. Language isn’t logical. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8718 "2024-01-21T00:02:20Z")
I think that the unacceptable term is a vernacular version of the acceptable term. And that way too many assholes were asshole when using the unacceptable term ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8719 "2024-01-21T00:40:45Z")
I’m imagining that there is a hell of a lot more history with the Roma in Germany (like the Nazi extermination just to name one) to elicit a political sea change in how they are spoken of, than in the US where they are not well known (although they’ve certainly been here for a long time). As for Oriental, I don’t think I’ve ever believed that was a correct way to speak of Asians. Just one of those unconscious cultural language mores. Rugs, vases, not people. I think it went out as a descriptor of humans before I was born. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8720 "2024-01-21T03:00:25Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > As for Oriental, I don’t think I’ve ever believed that was a correct way to speak of Asians. Just one of those unconscious cultural language mores. Rugs, vases, not people. I think it went out as a descriptor of humans before I was born. I was first made aware of it a bit over 40 years ago when I was in college ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8721 "2024-01-21T03:08:44Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Hiram U. Grant (a general HUG? probably not) Although born Hiram Ulysses Grant, he changed the way he presented his name as “Ulysses S Grant” on graduating from the academy. The “S” didn’t stand for anything, altthough people thought it might be “Simpson”, his mother’s maiden name. But Grant never used that. Interestingly, it’s suggested that he changed his name precisely to avoid the initials “HUG”. See footnote 4 in his Wikipedia page – [Ulysses S. Grant - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8722 "2024-01-21T03:29:53Z")
although, he could have gone with Hiram Ulysses Grant Esquire ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8723 "2024-01-21T03:39:11Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Orangutans scientific name is **Pongo** Orang utan in Bahasa Indonesia (the standardised language of the country) literally means “person of the forest”. Sadly the only one I saw there was in a zoo. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8724 "2024-01-21T11:14:53Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > although, he could have gone with Hiram Ulysses Grant Esquire after all, he was working in the adult industry ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8725 "2024-01-21T18:01:58Z")
That’s why Sherman went by William instead of Billy: so he wouldn’t be pestered by K-pop fans ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8726 "2024-01-21T22:33:05Z")
“Washington State prohibits the word “Oriental” in legislation and government documents and prefers the word “Asian” instead.” - Wikipedia. How about - “We Three Kings of [western, southern, or eastern Asia] are?” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8727 "2024-01-21T22:57:42Z")
Maybe they were finding their way with map and compass (orienteering)? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8728 "2024-01-22T01:30:12Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > “Washington State prohibits the word “Oriental” in legislation and government documents and prefers the word “Asian” instead.” - Wikipedia. In other words, Washingtonians were disoriented. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8729 "2024-01-22T01:33:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > In other words, Washingtonians were disoriented But not on purpose. it was occidental. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8730 "2024-01-22T01:34:43Z")
Since that was what the term oriental originally meant, would “eastern” work in at least some contexts? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=435) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=437)