Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

Odyssey Dawn

English answer:

1. Computer generated code term for a military operation, 2. Allusion to Odisseus\' (adventurous) journey, 3. Wordplay / Play on words

Added to glossary by Christo Metschkaroff
Mar 21, 2011 08:05
13 yrs ago
English term

Odyssey Dawn

English Other Government / Politics Military code
The code of the military operation against Libya.
What is meant by "Odyssey" - this is a long and adventurous journey. "Dawn" is one of the names of Eos (Aurora). Does this code name convey any meaning? If yes, what could be a possible explanation of the code name? MTIA to all!

Discussion

Paul Lambert Mar 22, 2011:
A bit iffy I don't quite buy that article. It seems like an afterthought. I do know that at times the names are tweaked because they could be "offensive". (God forbid offending people. Killing them is another, but I digress)
Arabic & More Mar 22, 2011:
Here is an article that explains more about how the name was chosen:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/13066_libyawarwhyisitcall...
Christo Metschkaroff (asker) Mar 22, 2011:
Odyssey Dawn Sincerest thanks to everybody willing to help! The problem is in the codes which convey meaning of proper names. We use a different code (Cyrillic alphabet), and the term is in Latin characters. For those using Latin characters the term seems quite familiar although it is difficult to bring both terms together to a meaningful combination (excluding the Illuminati). Odyssey is not Odysseus ;-)... A wordplay against common wit - IMHO. Thanks again!
Michal Berski Mar 21, 2011:
There is, or should be, general miltary rule, that codename of goven operation should not refer to, even indirectly, to the scope/target of such operation, to maintain its secrecy - it is of course of importance mostly during planning. It one of the reasons to use computer-generated codenames
Christo Metschkaroff (asker) Mar 21, 2011:
To P. Lambert Paul, you are very prosaic ;-) You have cut short every attempt to see something meaningful behind this poetical code name!
Paul Lambert Mar 21, 2011:
Proper name Well, Christo, if the context of your translation is to refer to the military operation itself, then even more fundamentally it is a proper name. Would it really be appropriate to translate it at all?
Christo Metschkaroff (asker) Mar 21, 2011:
To E. Kraus Thanks, Ellen! What you share, is the normal understanding of the metaphor - school and university lessons. I thought there is some meaning behind the code name. If such phrases are computer generated, I am "lost" in my search of a certain "translation" - no chance against the machine!
Paul Lambert Mar 21, 2011:
Good analysis...after the fact. That is a good way to read some meaning into it; however, as to the question of how to explain the code name, I am afraid the reality is not nearly so poetic.
Ellen Kraus Mar 21, 2011:
Throughout Odysseus' journey, the metaphor of the dawn symbolizes his odyssey from immaturity, maturity, and fulfillment. The progression of Odysseus' development of strength is like the development of day, from dawn to dusk.

Responses

+1
6 mins
Selected

Computer generated....

The names of operations of this sort are computer generated, at least in the US and Israel.

Sometimes they are "tweaked" or deliberately given a name, but in this case there was clearly no more to it than a press of a button.
Note from asker:
Thanks for the prompt answer and the explanation!
Peer comment(s):

agree Noni Gilbert Riley : I must admit I did pause to think about the possibility of people pondering over the choice of name, but reached the conclusion that v little time wd have been spent on it - confirmed by your info!
2 hrs
Thanks.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for the prompt answer and explanation! "
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