this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
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I think they should keep both names and just have WLBR be the "enterprise" version.
However, in non-English speaking countries, nobody has an issue with GIMP. And even my very religious and Murican MIL uses Gimp. She doesn't even know.
If anything, those discussions further the association, as they come up when you google "gimp program sexual" or sth like that.
It's short for GNU image manipulation program. I mean, you could short it to imp, or rename it to Picture & Image Manipulation Program (PIMP).
I propose Scriptable Image Manipulation Program (SIMP)
SIMPly genius!
It must be something that can't possibly be construed as sexual innuendo, like Linux Image Manipulation Program (LIMP)...
It's a GNU program, not a Linux program. It runs on multiple platforms.
Windows
Linux
BSD
Ringo (apple)
image editor.
eg: the Windows Image Manipulation System
Not the strongest name. Sounds kinda weak.
Maybe "Photographic Image Manipulation Program"?
Pimp it is then!
Gimp is really just a rare/archaic ableist slur anyway - like to refer to someone with a limp or otherwise a leg/lack of a leg that impedes their gait. I've never heard it used in my life.
The sexual usage is from gay bdsm subculture in the 70s that the large majority of ppl who are aware of it are only aware because of Pulp Fiction.
My vote is for pimp
I had heard gimp/gimpy used to mean "limping or is otherwise gait-impaired" often enough that I assumed the Pulp Fiction character was called the Gimp because of his posture and gait. I was completely unaware of any scene/subculture meaning until reading threads like these.
Full disclosure about my own experience: I am a disabled person who has no strong emotional reaction to the term. I do limp, some days worse than others.
I wonder if it's a regional thing? I've only ever heard it in movies or older TV shows. Where I live people are much more likely to just say "crippled" or describe someone as walking with a limp.
I was confused when I saw Pulp Fiction as a kid because I was like "why is this handicapped guy in a leather suit and what does him being hadicapped have to do with his apparent hobbies" lol. But like I said, never really heard it used in other contexts.
I've only heard it used that way once in my life. When I was in high school (about 20 years ago), I hurt my leg while playing basketball and was on crutches for a few weeks. This one kid in one of my classes constantly referred to me as "gimp" throughout my recovery.
He saw Pulp Fiction and thought he was clever
You have to set the WLBR_IS_GIMP env variable to get the new name. So I guess that might be what they going for, at least for now?
I get what you are saying but IMO the old name was hurting adoption. Imagine the headlines if say some city or government announced they are moving to GIMP from photoshop or affinity.
The terrible UI is hurting adoption.
PhotoGimp can change the GIMP UI, for those migrating.
Home page
Video demo
I imagine them being something along the lines of 'Government organisation X moves from Photoshop to free open source alternative' or if a journalist is feeling funny 'Government organisation X moves from paid image manipulation software (PIMP) to GIMP'.
Anyways, I think it's only a minor issue limited to English speaking countries, and only a issue for people who already have issues