# Um... didn't all of Western Civilization agree to stop using variations on the name Adolf? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 2, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201 "2014-10-02T18:37:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/41 "2014-10-03T18:30:38Z")
Do they serve [_Death to the Jews!_](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16845248&postcount=5) brand potato chips? 😃 Count me as another who doesn’t immediately associate “Adolfo” with Adolf Hitler. Yes, it’s clearly the same name another languauge, but my first association would probably be the designer, and up until now, I never connected the designer’s name to Hitler. Now that I’ve read the OP, if a friend named Adolfo asked me if I thought he should name his restaurant “Adolfo’s,” I’d let him know that there might be a few people out there who migt associate the name with Hitler. Before this, I would have just said “sounds good.” The Hitler thing would not have crossed my mind, and I’m Jewish, even. ---
**Author:** ![nani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nani)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/42 "2014-10-03T19:39:46Z")
I knew a few Adolfos who are pretty young (born in the late 1980s) in Mexico; it doesn’t have that stigma there. Being in the US, though, I imagine the owner has heard something about this connection, to which he probably [replied](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADgS_vMGgzY): “Why should I change? He’s the one who sucks.” On a more mundane and pointless note, I am glad that **bienville** includes us Latinos in “western civilization.” Not everyone extends us that courtesy. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/43 "2014-10-03T20:15:03Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > To be fair to the OP, I think seeing the name Adolf probably does quite significantly link (in my mind) to Hitler than any of the above, BUT my reaction would be more “Oh, OK - so that name’s shaking off any historic taboo it might have” than “OMG! Hitler! I can’t believe it!” Well sure. But we are not talking about seeing Adolf. We are talking about a different language’s version of Adolf. My mind just doesn’t go there automatically. Anymore than I think Benito when I see Benedict or Josef when I see Eat at Joe’s. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/44 "2014-10-03T21:09:04Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > There was [a rather famous one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpo_Marx), but he changed it to “Arthur” in 1911. (Now that’s forward-thinking.) Yeah, but later he changed it to Exapno Mapcase. And you know what? All of Western Civilization agreed to stop naming their kids Exapno!!@!! ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/45 "2014-10-03T21:21:40Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I loved his clothing line, and preferred his colognes. > > [http://adolfo.com/](http://adolfo.com/) > I guess it was the **Final Solution for all your casualwear needs.** File that one under “Marketing slogans you will never ever see.” ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/46 "2014-10-03T21:49:02Z")
Anyway, every time I hear the name Adolfo, [this song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQK3OLLJvWM) from the Broadway musical **The Drowsy Chaperone** is immediately what I think of. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/47 "2014-10-05T02:01:24Z")
> [@Here\_Comes\_The\_Weed](#): > > [John Wayne Gacy - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne_Gacy) > > So if a shop is named “Johns meaty sausages” it couldn’t be named that because of this guy? Well, the British Royal family has carefully avoided the name ‘John’ after they had a bit of bad publicity from the King John that Robin Hood fought. But I think they still have other Johns in England. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/48 "2014-10-05T02:12:10Z")
> [@](#): > > And you know what? All of Western Civilization agreed to stop naming their kids Exapno!!@!! Hey, man, I’m just waiting to get a new cat… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/49 "2014-10-05T04:40:28Z")
[Adolph’s](http://www.freewebs.com/adolphs/) (Lakehills, TX) [Adolph’s](http://www.adolphsrestaurant.com/) Swiss Continental Restaurant (Park City, UT) [Adolph’s](http://adolphs-gasthaus.de/de/kontakt.html) (Cologne, Germany) [Adolfe](http://www.whitepages.com/business/adolphe-take-out-restaurant-miami-fl-1) Take Out Restaurant (Miami FL) [Adolfo’s](http://adolfosrestaurant.com/) (Springfield, MA) [Adolfo’s](http://www.yelp.com/biz/adolfos-new-orleans) (New Orleans, LA) [Adolfo’s](http://www.oc-adolfos.com/) (Ocean City, MD) [Adolfo’s](http://www.themonitor.com/marketplace/business_13752043.html) (San Juan, TX) [Adolfo’s](http://www.citysearch.com/profile/10785823/seattle_wa/adolfo_s_italian_restaurant.html) (Seattle, WA) [Adolfo’s](https://foursquare.com/v/adolfos/4bb7557c2f70c9b6d9818630) Mexican Restaurant (Pueblo, CO) [Adolfo’s](http://events.ocregister.com/laguna_beach_ca/venues/show/245001-adolfos-mexican-food) (Laguna Beach, CA) [Adolfo’s](http://findplace.us/Arizona/Benson/Adolfos-TACO-SHOP)Taco Shop (Benson, AZ) [Adolfo’s](http://www.just-eat.co.uk/restaurants-AdolfosEH54/menu#) (Livingstone, UK) [Da Adolfo](http://www.cntraveller.com/awards/the-gold-list/gold-standard-restaurants-2013/page/da-adolfo,-positano,-italy) (Positano, Italy) ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/50 "2014-10-05T05:07:29Z")
A lot of people with the last name Hitler did change their name after WWII. I could see why you would be shocked if a restaurant named “Hitler’s” opened up. Or maybe even if it was a German/Austrian restaurant using the name Adolf. However, I don’t think that anyone here but you would assume a **Mexican** restaurant using a **variation** of Adolf was referring to Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/51 "2014-10-05T07:57:34Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > When I google Adolfo I get a full page of some Spanish fashion designer. At a guess, Domínguez, “_la arruga es bella_”. I got Domínguez, a different designer (might be Spanish by the name, learned his trade in France and works in New York), more Domínguez, Suárez (recently deceased former Spanish president), pics of a priest and other pics of a young dude in leather and too much skin, another clothing designer (or maybe the previous one out of NY), yet a different clothing designer (American, Hispanic), a serial killer, a restaurant in New Orleans, the aforementioned Adolfo Guzmán López, and a Sicilian actor. Conclusion: if you don’t want your kid to be a fashion designer, don’t name him Adolfo. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/52 "2014-10-05T08:13:34Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Well sure. But we are not talking about seeing Adolf. We are talking about a different language’s version of Adolf. My mind just doesn’t go there automatically. Anymore than I think Benito when I see Benedict or Josef when I see Eat at Joe’s. Adolfo is a little bit more conspicuously related to Adolf than either of your other examples, I’d say. But it doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/53 "2014-10-05T08:36:15Z")
Why, yes. Yes we did. We changed our minds. Sorry you didn’t get the memo. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/54 "2014-10-05T08:46:10Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Suppose the owner was named after his beloved Abuelo (grandpa) Adolfo? Would that make you feel better? I hear his Abuelo was actually from Brazil… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/55 "2014-10-05T09:49:30Z")
Most of the Latino countries stayed out of World War Two. Mexico sent some troops, and one air force squadron, but their main contribution was economic. Cuba’s dictator was more antagonistic to Franco than to Hitler. Brazil’s dictator was afraid of being overthrown by disgruntled veterans, so he dispersed veteran soldiers to remote outposts, and forbade civilian veterans from wearing uniform or decorations. Culturally, the war had less impact on Latin America than on the Anglophone countries. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/56 "2014-10-05T15:19:01Z")
For all of Western Civilization to agree on anything is impossible, as long as I am alive. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/57 "2014-10-05T18:22:05Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > For all of Western Civilization to agree on anything is impossible, as long as I am alive. No it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/58 "2014-10-05T22:04:24Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > For all of Western Civilization to agree on anything is impossible, as long as I am alive. > [@Steophan](#): > > No it isn’t. I agree. I think ISIS is doing a hell of a job in this regard. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201/59 "2014-10-06T01:44:05Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Most of the Latino countries stayed out of World War Two. To be fair, there was little that most of them could have contributed. Both Brazil and Mexico joined in response to attacks on their own flagged merchant vessels. Brazil had a the largest Latin American participation during WW2 with [division-level land forces as well as sea operations](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Expeditionary_Force) engaging the enemy with heavy casualties in Europe and the Atlantic. Mexico mostly provided support for the US to secure the Gulf, and an Air Force squadron was deployed to the Pacific and fought and took casualties in the Philippines campaign. Panama (as if they had a choice), Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba and Guatemala joined in declaring war on the Axis in December 1941 as part of their military treaties with the USA. None was in any position to project any force anywhere, their joining in served to provide denial of ports and trade to the Axis and allow the US to operate freely from bases in their territory. Mexico and Brazil, who did deploy fighting units to the fronts, followed in Spring and Summer of 1942. Bolivia and Colombia in 1943, Peru in early 1944; again, biggest effect was removal of trade and safe havens. Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile only formally declared war on the Axis in 1945, mostly so that they would not be out of place among the UN charter members. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-didnt-all-of-western-civilization-agree-to-stop-using-variations-on-the-name-adolf/700201.md?page=2)