Name dropping leaves Google in hot water with Iran

By Danny Altman
May 22, 2012
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Filed under Naming, Renaming
Just what the Middle East needs: more mischief makers

Somewhere along the way, Google isn’t sure exactly when, the Persian Gulf became the world’s most important body of water without a name. A Google spokesman says it dropped “Persian Gulf” because, you know, in the world of geography things are always changing. Iran is not taking kindly to this disappearing act, calling it a challenge to its sovereignty. Iran’s foreign ministry has threatened Google with legal action and unspecified “serious damages.” The deputy minister for Islamic guidance, Bahman Dorri said that removing the name was a “mischievous act.” My suggestion would be to call it “Troubled Waters” and, while they’re at it, they can rename the Straits of Hormuz “Tough Straits.”