The best Linux Kernel release code names -- from "Greased Weasel" to "Sheep on meth"
These are real. And they are awesome.
What follows are a list of my personal favorite Linux kernel releases.
The reason for these being my favorite have absolutely nothing to do with their stability, performance, or their super cool new features.
No, sir. These are my favorite Linux kernel releases for one, very important, reason: They have super rad code names.
Note: These are all real. Very much so. Every single one of them.
Here we go. In release order (from oldest to newest). Enjoy.
1.2.0 — “Linux ‘95”
“Linux ‘95” has the distinction of being, near as I can discover, the first Linux kernel release with a code name.
1.3.51 — “Greased Weasel”
This was the first release named “Greased Weasel”. Two other Linux kernel versions (2.1.45 from 1997, and 2.1.129 from 1998) were also named Greased Weasel.
Because, asumedly, Linus has a thing for weasels. Especially greasy ones.
2.4.15 — “Greased Turkey”
It’s not a Weasel… but it’s greasy! (This one happened during Thanksgiving… otherwise it probably would ahve been a weasel as well.)
2.6.18 — “Avast! A bilge rat!”
As with weasels (and other greasy animals), Linus has a particular fondness for rats. The kind you find on pirate ships.
Later versions continued this naming trend. Including 2.6.23 (“Arr Matey! A Hairy Bilge Rat!”) and 2.6.24.1 (“Err Metey! A Heury Beelge-a ret!”).
2.6.20 — “Homicidal Dwarf Hamster”
Because… sure. Why not?
2.6.22 — “Holy Dancing Manatees, Batman!”
Fun side note: before being released, this version had the code name: “Jeff Thinks I Should Change This, But To What?” Which also would have made this list of awesome code names.
2.6.23 - “Pink Farting Weasel”
More weasel! Now it’s farting! I’m starting to feel like maybe the Linux mascot should have been a weasel!
2.6.25 — “Funky Weasel is Jiggy wit it”
This release may not be greasy… or farting… but it’s still a weasel. And it’s jiggy wit it.
2.6.28 — “Erotic Pickled Herring”
No comment.
2.6.30 through 2.6.33 — “Man-eating Seals of Antiquity”
This code-name was given to multiple releases. Because it was just that awesome.
2.6.35 — “Sheep on meth”
The first of multiple sheep-based code-names. On meth, no less.
3.9.6 - “Black Squirrel Wakeup Call”
Whut.
3.11 — “Linux for Workgroups”
Released close to the 20th anniversary of the release of Windows 3.11 (also known as “Windows for Workgroups”). It may not be “Sheep on meth”… but it’s still pretty special.
3.14 — “Shuffling Zombie Juror”
I mean. Yeah. A zombie does tend to shuffle! Zombie jurors doubly so.
4.0 — “Hurr durr I'ma sheep”
More sheep!
4.3 — “Blurry Fish Butt”
… *cough*. No comment.
4.6-rc6 — “Charred Weasel”
I’m assuming that the weasel was greased up prior to being charred.
4.7-rc1 — “Psychotic Stoned Sheep”
I’m starting to get the feeling that Linus is not a huge fan of sheep.
5.12-rc1 — “Don’t Use”
I love how blunt this code name is. Just “Don’t Use”. Message received.
5.17 — “Superb Owl”
Taking place during the 2022 Super Bowl… so… Superb Owl.
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