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GreyWanderer
9th April 2003, 02:43 AM
Why do they always call him Saddam, and not Hussein? Why do they use his first name? Because he's evil?
Tony
9th April 2003, 02:48 AM
That must be a norwegian phenomenon, here they call him saddam hussien.

Edit: Who are you refering to when you say "they"?
richardm
9th April 2003, 02:48 AM
From Karl's post in this thread: (http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17138)

Not all cultures have last names. In some, people go by only one name and state their father's name and/or their place of origin when they need to be more specific. (Some ancient Greek philosophers like Thales from Miletos and Pythagoras of Samos spring to mind. And Tolkien fans may recall Aragorn, son of Arathorn, but that way of stating heritage also exists in the real world.)

Saddam's name is Saddam, plain and simple. Hussein was his father's name. He grew up in a small village just outside Tikrit. Hence the construction "Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti," which is more formal and means "Saddam, son of Hussein, from Tikrit."

.. He elaborates a bit further down, with some more discussion from other folks. Interesting stuff - and news to me!

(Not least "The issue is further complicated by Saddam's regime outlawing the use of family names in the late '80s. Essentially Iraq has gone back to the older single-name tradition.". Saddam really was a nutter)
CWL
9th April 2003, 04:29 AM
Originally posted by Tony
That must be a norwegian phenomenon, here they call him saddam hussien.

Well, that must be a Texan phenomenon, because the rest of the world appears to be calling the man "Saddam", plain and simple. See for instance this article from CNN: LINK (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/09/sprj.irq.war.main/index.html).

I quote:
With the fate of Saddam still a mystery, Pentagon officials said coalition forces controlled the skies over Iraq and continued to degrade Iraqi ground forces.

[...]

McChrystal said Saddam's Republican Guard units either were ignoring orders or were incapable of carrying them out.

[...]

While it was not known whether Saddam survived Monday's B-1 bomber strike that obliterated a building where U.S. officials suspected him of huddling with senior aides, President Bush said he believes the Iraqi leader is losing his grip on the country.

So don't be picking on us Scandinavians, dude!
Agammamon
9th April 2003, 06:08 AM
Kind of like calling the president "W".
Tony
9th April 2003, 06:10 AM
Originally posted by CWL





So don't be picking on us Scandinavians, dude!

The was no malice in my remarks, chill. :p
CWL
9th April 2003, 06:16 AM
Originally posted by Tony


The was no malice in my remarks, chill. :p

I know, just playing with you (hence the "dude"). ;)
Tony
9th April 2003, 06:44 AM
Originally posted by CWL


I know, just playing with you (hence the "dude"). ;)

err. RAT BASTARD!!! :mad: :D :p
9th April 2003, 06:48 AM
Originally posted by Tony


err. RAT BASTARD!!! :mad: :D :p

You mean, this is what you'd prefer to be called? :p
Tony
9th April 2003, 06:50 AM
Originally posted by Estimated Prophet


You mean, this is what you'd prefer to be called? :p

Thats Mr. Rat Bastard to you. :p
Mel
9th April 2003, 06:51 AM
Originally posted by GreyWanderer
Why do they always call him Saddam, and not Hussein? Why do they use his first name? Because he's evil?

Maybe it started in deference to King Hussein of Jordan?
CWL
9th April 2003, 07:14 AM
Originally posted by Tony


Thats Mr. Rat Bastard to you. :p

If we ignore the question regarding your title and instead consider the tradition detailed in richardm's quote above, is it ok to refer to you as just "Rat" or you would prefer "Bastard"? :p
Tony
9th April 2003, 07:16 AM
Call me RAT. ;)
CWL
9th April 2003, 07:37 AM
Rat it is, Sir. Glad we sorted that out! :D