Do you remember Boaty McBoatface? That was the name selected for a new British research ship in an online vote last April. Britain’s National Environmental Research Council (NERC) was building the ship to carry out scientific research in polar waters. As VOA Learning English reported then, NERC permitted internet users in Britain to choose the name of the ship in an online campaign. But, instead of choosing a name connected to science, the British public chose a funny, not-so-serious one: Boaty McBoatface. The name received more than 124,000 votes, far more than any other proposed name. British officials, however, did not let “Boaty McBoatface” become the ship’s official name. They believed the important research vessel deserved a more serious name. Not long after the vote, officials announced that the ship would instead be named in honor of British researcher Sir David Attenborough. Many people were not happy with the decision. They felt that the name “Boaty McBoatface” should remain. And it did. Kind of. Researchers at Britain's University of Southampton have decided to give the beloved, humorous name to another kind of ship: a submarine. Three small, yellow underwater vehicles developed there now have “Boaty McBoatface” painted on them. They, too, will carry out research in polar waters.
