I SEND FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT THE ATTACHED NOTATION FROM CHURCHILL'S LAST BOOK, AND I SUGGEST WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WISE COMMENTS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESIGNATION WE GIVE TO OUR PROJECTS.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01009A000701010051-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 6, 2013
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: May 8, 1952
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/06/06 : CIA-RDP80M01009A000701010051-5
Security i rt.e;
KWRANDUM FOR: Assistant Director, Special Operations
FROM: Deputy Director Central Intelligence
I send 1or your asnseaent the attached notation from
Churchill's last book, and I suggest we take into account
the wise consents made in connection with the designation
we give to our projects. I an also sending a copy to Pat
Johnston.
Distributions
Orig - ADSO
1 cc - DDCI Chrono
1 cc- DDCI Personal w/copy of encl.
A
miSRfEfEb
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/06/06 : CIA-RDP80M01009A000701010051-5
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/06/06: CIA-RDP80MO1009A000701010051-5 C J
I have crossed out on the attached paper many unsuitable names.
Operations in which large numbers of men may lose their lives ought
not to be described by code-words whichimply a boastful and overconfident
sentiment, such as "Triumphant," or, conversely, which are calculated to
invest the plan with an air of despondency, such as "Woebetide," "Massacre,"
"Jumble," "Trouble," "Fidget," "Flimsy," "Pathetic," and "Jaundice."
They ought not to be names of a frivolous character, such as "Bunnyhug,"
"Billingsgate," "Aperitif," and "Ballyhoo." They should not be ordinary
words often used in other connections, such as "Flood," "Smooth,"
"Sudden," "Supreme," "Fullforce," and "Fullspeed." Names of living people--
Ministers or Commanders-- should be avoided; e.g., "Bracken."
After all, the world is wide, and intelligent thought will readily
supply an unlimited number of well-sounding names which do not suggest the
character of the operation or disparage it in any way and do not enable
some widow or mother to say that her son was killed in an operation called
"Bunnyhug" or "Ballyhoo."
Proper names are good in this field. The heroes of antiquity, figures
from Greek and Roman mythology, the constellations and stars, famous
racehorses, names of British and American war heroes, could be used,
provided they fall within the rules above. There are no doubt many other
themes that could be suggested.
Care should be taken in all this process. An efficient and a
successful administration manifests itself equally in small as in great
matters.