Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

As the North votes, why do Sinn Féin keep going on (and on) about crocodiles?

The claws are out.

HERE ARE SOME of the things you may have witnessed, if you’ve been following the Northern Ireland election campaign online.

  • Former republican prisoners dancing to the Crocodile Rock, while dressed as crocodiles
  • People in crocodile outfits canvassing for Sinn Féin
  • People in crocodile outfits voting
  • Sinn Féin politicians referring to each other as crocodile hunters
  • Countless other crocodiles references: emojis, cartoons – jokes etc.

It’s, frankly, hard to get a grasp on the scale of the phenomenon (sorry).

WHY are Sinn Féin and Sinn Féin supporters so keen on the crocodile references, you may ask…

It’s not because they’re green.

The roots of the meme can be traced back to comments by DUP leader Arlene Foster last month, on the subject of supports for the Irish language.

Her party would never agree to an Irish language act, the former First Minister said, telling supporters “If you feed a crocodile it will keep coming back for more”.

Foster, in retrospect, left herself wide open to a standard reptile-based rejoinder: asked about her comments, Gerry Adams responded with a snappy “See you later, alligator”.

The Sinn Féin crocodile has grown legs in the weeks since Foster’s initial remark – sparking all manner of references on social and in traditional media.

Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly took part in a dancing contest at a Sinn Féin fundraiser at the weekend, for instance, sparking shrill headlines in the Daily Express.

And Gerry Adams has been posting videos from bridges over various rivers as he campaigns with local candidates, joking about the ‘crocodiles’ in the water below (and at one point “DUP ducks”).

express Express Express

Let’s hope no actual crocodiles escape from Belfast Zoo before polls close – it might get confusing out there.

Actually… Let’s hope no actual crocodiles ever escape from ANY of our zoos.

Related: Want to know more about the election? 

Related: Want to know more about crocodiles?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fiachra29
    Favourite fiachra29
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:03 AM

    Ah shur boss we’re big into our culture and our unique way of life, we’ve brought it round the world with us.

    502
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe oneill
    Favourite joe oneill
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:07 AM

    He will get plenty of horn now.

    507
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel James Doherty
    Favourite Noel James Doherty
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:09 AM

    @joe oneill: cracking

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Con O Callaghan
    Favourite Con O Callaghan
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 3:48 PM

    @joe oneill: joe won the internet today

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Minom Pnom
    Favourite Minom Pnom
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:51 AM

    Sure is our culture hunting rhionos on the limerick Savannahs for thousands of years with slash hooks.

    264
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Minom Pnom
    Favourite Minom Pnom
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 2:08 PM

    @Minom Pnom: The most shocking thing about this article is that he purchased the rhino cup.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ginger tomatoes i9
    Favourite ginger tomatoes i9
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:29 AM

    Am I only one thinks 18 mths sounds low

    279
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:57 AM

    @ginger tomatoes i9: way too low.

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ktsiwot
    Favourite ktsiwot
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:59 AM

    @ginger tomatoes i9: He would get of free here, so it is 18 months higher than an Irish sentence.

    196
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mc Donagh
    Favourite John Mc Donagh
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 10:33 AM

    @ginger tomatoes i9: Ah sure boss, there’s always a special deal for the ethnic minority.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:02 AM

    Martin O’Neill should have started a few of the Rovers last night maybe given their vast international experience.

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubKid
    Favourite DubKid
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:01 AM

    The homies in the state penitentiary will enjoy a bit of fresh Irish meat

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lager Lout
    Favourite Lager Lout
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 12:54 PM

    @DubKid:
    There’s nothing fresh about a Rathkeale pikey
    They are a foul species

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Moylan
    Favourite Kevin Moylan
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:53 AM

    He was caught in the wrong country. Would have got suspended sentence here

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Sexton
    Favourite Ronan Sexton
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 10:28 AM

    Trying to supervise that yoke when he gets out will be some laugh. Hide and Seek world champion 2019.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Misanthrope
    Favourite Misanthrope
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 1:59 PM

    Any comments from pave point?

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Freeman
    Favourite Paul Freeman
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 11:10 AM

    He can clean out the gutters while he is inside.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute winston smith
    Favourite winston smith
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 10:06 AM

    Keep the bast*rd over there permanently.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Adams
    Favourite John Adams
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 12:39 PM

    Why Am I not surprised, from Australia to the The USA they roam dragging Ireland’s name through the muck.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O Reilly
    Favourite Brian O Reilly
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:11 AM

    He will do hard time in that penal system .but the expressed hope that he will be subjected to rape is unworthy.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Dowling
    Favourite Frank Dowling
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 9:22 AM

    @Brian O Reilly: sure it is.. spare a thought for the would be rapists

    127
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gerry fallon
    Favourite gerry fallon
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 2:57 PM

    He filled it up with hewya boss after shave!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Mannix
    Favourite Declan Mannix
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 3:04 PM

    His as*hole will be wider than a libation cup when he come out.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Wond
    Favourite James Wond
    Report
    Nov 15th 2017, 8:35 PM

    Discrimination

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds