U.K. science minister demonstrates zero sense of humor, vetoes naming ship 'Boaty McBoatface'


Qualifying himself for Biggest Stick in the Mud of the Year, U.K. Science Minister Jo Johnson shot down the possibility of naming a newly acquired research vessel "Boaty McBoatface," saying the ship needed a more "suitable" name.
Britain's Natural Environment Research Council asked the public to vote on a name for the $300 million research boat last month, and basically got exactly what one would expect from inviting the internet to name something expensive and important. "Boaty McBoatface" won the poll with 124,109 votes, which was four times as many as the second place name, honoring a 16-month-old girl with incurable cancer, received.
"Boaty McBoatface" was originally suggested by former BBC radio host James Hand, who has since "apologized profusely" for causing all the trouble. "I read the list of entries and there were about 3,000 at that time. Some of them were really, really funny. 'Clifford the Big Red Boat' was my favorite. So I thought I'd throw one into the ring to see what happens," Hand told The Independent at the time.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Natural Environment Research Council has not yet announced the stuffy, boring name they've inevitably chosen for the ship, but said that "there is a process now for us to review all of the public's choices." Wise.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 11, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - shark-infested waters, Mother's Day, and more
-
5 fundamentally funny cartoons about the US Constitution
Cartoons Artists take on Sharpie edits, wear and tear, and more
-
In search of paradise in Thailand's western isles
The Week Recommends 'Unspoiled spots' remain, providing a fascinating insight into the past
-
Sea lion proves animals can keep a beat
speed read A sea lion named Ronan beat a group of college students in a rhythmic dance-off, says new study
-
Humans heal much slower than other mammals
Speed Read Slower healing may have been an evolutionary trade-off when we shed fur for sweat glands
-
Novel 'bone collector' caterpillar wears its prey
Speed Read Hawaiian scientists discover a carnivorous caterpillar that decorates its shell with the body parts of dead insects
-
Scientists find hint of alien life on distant world
Speed Read NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected a possible signature of life on planet K2-18b
-
Katy Perry, Gayle King visit space on Bezos rocket
Speed Read Six well-known women went into lower orbit for 11 minutes
-
Scientists map miles of wiring in mouse brain
Speed Read Researchers have created the 'largest and most detailed wiring diagram of a mammalian brain to date,' said Nature
-
Scientists genetically revive extinct 'dire wolves'
Speed Read A 'de-extinction' company has revived the species made popular by HBO's 'Game of Thrones'
-
Dark energy may not doom the universe, data suggests
Speed Read The dark energy pushing the universe apart appears to be weakening