We must have been really unaware of how language can affect people in different parts of the world, huh?
Every Gen Z (or Nickelodeon kid) knows the show, ‘The Fairly OddParents’. You might have even caught the show on your TVs at least a couple of times while channel surfing on TV.
If you need a little refresher on this childhood classic, here you go: The show revolves around the daily adventures and shenanigans of 10-year-old boy Timmy Turner, who is accompanied by his fairy godparents Cosmo and Wanda, who grants his wishes (almost!) every time.
The show first aired on television in 1998, where it was initially just a series of short episodes on Oh Yeah! Cartoons, and first ended in 2006 after an 80-episode run. It was later revived in 2008 and continued on until it being discontinued in 2018. ‘The Fairly OddParents’ is Nickelodeon’s second longest-running animated show, falling second only to Spongebob Squarepants.
The show has a live-action/animated series spin-off titled, ‘The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder’ that premiered on March 31, 2022 on Paramount+, and its sequel ‘The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish’ premiered only a few months ago.
In the series’ 2008 special ‘Fairly OddBaby,’ Cosmo and Wanda bore a child named “Poof”, who was the first baby fairy born in over ten thousand years. Part of the show partly followed Poof’s journey in Spellementary Boarding School, his assignment to miserable old people, and in the most recent installments—he’s grown up.
And he looks like just a mixture of his parents! He literally got Wanda’s hair swirl, and (almost literally) has Cosmo’s face.
And, with a different name.
Most recently in ‘The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish’, (formerly named) Poof re-introduces himself as “Peri” and becomes Dev Dimmadome’s (the grandson of Doug Dimmadome) godparent.
So, why does Poof have a new name?
According to Ashleigh Crystal Hairston, one of the show’s developers, the name-change was necessary for one reason—it’s a slur in many countries.
The former name is a slur in many countries and cannot be used.
— Ashleigh Crystal Hairston (@shleighcrystal) July 22, 2024
Of course, fans who didn’t know this were obviously shocked at the not so well-known fact.
ITS A SLUR??? I have never heard this before. I'm guessing they can still say it since he just did but it just can't be his permanent name?
— Jay (@TVShowFreak123) July 22, 2024
Didn’t see that coming. pic.twitter.com/vXkMupLFr9
— Av (@MarioEmmet) July 22, 2024
What the What? I did not know that
— Daniel Lavertue Cartoons, Plans & Other Projects (@DanielLave25280) July 22, 2024
wait poof is a slur??? https://t.co/JP4IMuPssb pic.twitter.com/uvcVmWZwBJ
— mekkyz.bsky.social 🇵🇸 (@_mekkyz) July 24, 2024
The Cambridge Dictionary has surprised me today. https://t.co/wo522qASzZ pic.twitter.com/K0ueTz6McB
— David G. (@MrBreada) July 23, 2024
So that's why he's now Peri. I never knew this https://t.co/hkSgAx3rIC
— Max Twogood 🍉 (@TwogoodMax) July 23, 2024
Oh, that's why they changed his name to Peri. Well, I guess this will probably be the last time he referred to as Poof. I can live with that. I never like that name anyway. https://t.co/VEdKLZYIJZ
— Keaton M. Dark Commissions are Open (@MaxDentinator5) July 23, 2024
Now, to get this explanation out of the way, according to Merriam-Webster, ‘Poof’ is a noun in the British/English language that “refers to a gay man” in an offensive manner. Obviously, to use that word now in a show is virtually social suicide, and a ticket to the Internet’s cancel-ville.
Good thing that ‘The Fairly OddParents’ producers and writers are avoiding that sort of issue now.
Other POP! stories that you might like:
‘Bridgerton’ fans react to Benedict Bridgerton finally being announced as the star of Season 4
A statement from Cinemalaya entry ‘Balota’ reflects public’s sentiments amid Super Typhoon Carina
Voice actor Tom Kenny reveals SpongeBob Squarepants is autistic
[Commentary] Do academic grades still reflect true competency in today’s education system?