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Funniew Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Joe The Plumber

Hi, I thought "Smokey The Bear" is improper english. It's like saying "Sam The Human" or "McCain The Senator" explained his position on child labor lawsl... Why do they persist on using "Joe The Plumber"? To show off their ignorance or to confuse me?
  

Top answer

After all, we have Jack the Ripper, John the Baptist, Richard the Lionheart, Edward the Confessor and Ethelred the Unready. We even say "Henry the Eighth", although the proper name is Henry VIII. Smokey the Bear is only incorrect because he was named Smokey Bear in 1944.

  • After all, we have Jack the Ripper, John the Baptist, Richard the Lionheart, Edward the Confessor and Ethelred the Unready.
  • We even say "Henry the Eighth", although the proper name is Henry VIII.
  • Smokey the Bear is only incorrect because he was named Smokey Bear in 1944.
  • In 1952 there was a hit song "Smokey the Bear".
  • The song caused his name to be confused.
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3 Answers
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Joe the Plumber is not improper English.After all, we have Jack the Ripper, John the Baptist, Richard the Lionheart, Edward the Confessor and Ethelred the Unready. We even say "Henry the Eighth", although the proper name is Henry VIII.

Smokey the Bear is only incorrect because he was named Smokey Bear in 1944. In 1952 there was a hit song "Smokey the Bear". The song caused his name to b
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Hi,

Well said!

Clive
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Thanks, Clive!
There are also "Bob the Builder" and "Winnie the Pooh" as examples from children's literature.

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