Penguin/Popular culture: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Galapagos-penguin.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A [[Galápagos penguin]].]] | [[Image:Galapagos-penguin.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A [[Galápagos penguin]].]] | ||
'''[[Penguin]]s''' are well-known worldwide both for their apparently clumsy nature on land, and the way this unease gives way to a surprising grace underwater, as they move at speed through the frigid [[Antarctic Ocean]] or warmer waters further north.<ref>See also ''[[penguins in the northern hemisphere]]''.</ref> Due to their slightly comic appearance, penguins have something of a presence in '''[[popular culture]]'''. | '''[[Penguin]]s''' are well-known worldwide both for their apparently clumsy nature on land, and the way this unease gives way to a surprising grace underwater, as they move at speed through the frigid [[Antarctic Ocean]] or warmer waters further north.<ref>See also ''[[Penguin/Catalogs/Penguins in the northern hemisphere|penguins in the northern hemisphere]]''.</ref> Due to their slightly comic appearance, penguins have something of a presence in '''[[popular culture]]'''. | ||
Although [[film]]s such as ''[[Batman]] Returns'' have played on the idea that there is something rather sinister about these [[animal]]s, the | Although [[film]]s such as ''[[Batman]] Returns'' have played on the idea that there is something rather sinister about these [[animal]]s, the penguin has a fairly good reputation; its image helps sell everything from a popular [[publishing|publisher]]'s [[book]]s to a long-standing brand of [[chocolate]] [[biscuit]].<ref>The slogan accompanying the [[McVitie's]] biscuit is "p-p-p-pick up a penguin", intended to illustrate a [[shivering]], [[spoken language|speaking]] penguin. A later version is "p...p...perfect when you're peckish".</ref> They also act as [[mascot]]s: the [[Linux]] [[operating system]] is supported by [[Tux]] the penguin, and the [[Norwegian Army]] has made one a [[regimental sergeant major]].<ref>''[[BBC]] News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1495503.stm Penguin picks up military honour]'.</ref> | ||
[[Image:Linux_Tux_Logo.png|thumb|150px|right|The [[Linux]] [[operating system]] has given penguins a high profile among alternatives to [[Windows]]. | [[Image:Linux_Tux_Logo.png|thumb|150px|right|The [[Linux]] [[operating system]]'s mascot, [[Tux]], has given penguins a high profile among alternatives to [[Windows]]. {{Linux_Tux_Logo.png/credit}}]] | ||
Penguins often appear in [[child]]ren's [[entertainment]]; from [[Walter Lantz]]'s inimtiable "Chilly Willy" to Otmar Guttman's [[Pingu]], [[animation|animated]] penguins have exhibited an inimitable blend of chutzpah and cuteness. Penguins have also made it at the [[cinema]], with two recent releases: ''[[Happy Feet]]'', aimed at younger moviegoers, and the controversial ''[[March of the Penguins]]'',<ref>Original [[French language|French]] title: ''La Marche de l'Empereur'' ('The Emperor's Journey'). [[directing|Director]]: [[Luc Jacquet]]. Some international releases follow the | Penguins often appear in [[child]]ren's [[entertainment]]; from [[Walter Lantz]]'s inimtiable "Chilly Willy" to Otmar Guttman's [[Pingu]], [[animation|animated]] penguins have exhibited an inimitable blend of chutzpah and cuteness. Penguins have also made it at the [[cinema]], with two recent releases: ''[[Happy Feet]]'', aimed at younger moviegoers, and the controversial ''[[March of the Penguins]]'',<ref>Original [[French language|French]] title: ''La Marche de l'Empereur'' ('The Emperor's Journey'). [[directing|Director]]: [[Luc Jacquet]]. Some international releases follow the original French version in having [[acting|actor]]s voice the penguins themselves; the [[English language|English]] version uses [[narration]].</ref> which was intepreted by some [[conservative]] commentators as supporting their ideas about [[family values]], though penguins exhibit the same ruthless streak as other animals who have to survive in harsh conditions and with limited resources. The penguin's image has also reached [[Japan]], where its image appears in [[manga]] [[comic]]s such as ''Penguin Revolution''.<ref>[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ペンギン革命 ''pengin kakumei''.</ref> | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
Latest revision as of 16:42, 12 November 2013
Penguins are well-known worldwide both for their apparently clumsy nature on land, and the way this unease gives way to a surprising grace underwater, as they move at speed through the frigid Antarctic Ocean or warmer waters further north.[1] Due to their slightly comic appearance, penguins have something of a presence in popular culture.
Although films such as Batman Returns have played on the idea that there is something rather sinister about these animals, the penguin has a fairly good reputation; its image helps sell everything from a popular publisher's books to a long-standing brand of chocolate biscuit.[2] They also act as mascots: the Linux operating system is supported by Tux the penguin, and the Norwegian Army has made one a regimental sergeant major.[3]
The Linux operating system's mascot, Tux, has given penguins a high profile among alternatives to Windows. © Image: Larry Ewing
Penguins often appear in children's entertainment; from Walter Lantz's inimtiable "Chilly Willy" to Otmar Guttman's Pingu, animated penguins have exhibited an inimitable blend of chutzpah and cuteness. Penguins have also made it at the cinema, with two recent releases: Happy Feet, aimed at younger moviegoers, and the controversial March of the Penguins,[4] which was intepreted by some conservative commentators as supporting their ideas about family values, though penguins exhibit the same ruthless streak as other animals who have to survive in harsh conditions and with limited resources. The penguin's image has also reached Japan, where its image appears in manga comics such as Penguin Revolution.[5]
Footnotes
- ↑ See also penguins in the northern hemisphere.
- ↑ The slogan accompanying the McVitie's biscuit is "p-p-p-pick up a penguin", intended to illustrate a shivering, speaking penguin. A later version is "p...p...perfect when you're peckish".
- ↑ BBC News: 'Penguin picks up military honour'.
- ↑ Original French title: La Marche de l'Empereur ('The Emperor's Journey'). Director: Luc Jacquet. Some international releases follow the original French version in having actors voice the penguins themselves; the English version uses narration.
- ↑ Japanese: ペンギン革命 pengin kakumei.