So what's the point of code names if they're public knowledge. "Celtic" even has the same number of syllables as "Biden" and anyone who
a) is in a position where they can hear the secret service talk about Biden and
b) Biden's current status might need to be hidden from
would most definitely be aware of the code name. Serious question, what is the point of the code name? Hell, even if it wasn't public knowledge, "Celtic" would be pretty easy to guess.
My wild hunch is public code names are mostly for show so the Secret Service can look cool and puff out its chest a little. And I assume when the president is abroad (etc) the services use hard/impossible to decipher code phrases because they could be intercepted by who knows what advisory or enemy. So in the US the service might actually say "Celtic is leaving the building." But if Biden is in Europe every important situation gets a different code and codes aren't reused.
I'd imagine it's probably something like InevitableSwing said, but also just a way to help in general with language/directions/etc. Instead of saying "Biden leaving the Oval" or "Obama en route to Chicago", both which (for example) can have numerous different meanings - is it Malia, Barack, or Michelle en route to Chicago? Beau is leaving the Oval, or is it Hunter? Same goes for just saying like "the President" - that could be misheard as Vice-President or something equally unimportant. Having a code name, even if it's public knowledge, helps with that. Doesn't really matter if they're public tbh because you'd assume that the line of communication itself is private - and even outside of that, it's less for obfuscation and more for just ensuring both parties easily know who/what the fuck is being discussed.
At least, that's my two cents and how I'd justify giving out codenames in any sort of situation I'm given leadership in.
Codenames are also chosen so they are understood over something like a radio even if the radio has static and you only get half the word. It's why the military alphabet (alpha Bravo Charlie etc) is what it is. If you only here "tel" you know it's "hotel" and therefore a H.
So what's the point of code names if they're public knowledge. "Celtic" even has the same number of syllables as "Biden" and anyone who
a) is in a position where they can hear the secret service talk about Biden and
b) Biden's current status might need to be hidden from
would most definitely be aware of the code name. Serious question, what is the point of the code name? Hell, even if it wasn't public knowledge, "Celtic" would be pretty easy to guess.
My wild hunch is public code names are mostly for show so the Secret Service can look cool and puff out its chest a little. And I assume when the president is abroad (etc) the services use hard/impossible to decipher code phrases because they could be intercepted by who knows what advisory or enemy. So in the US the service might actually say "Celtic is leaving the building." But if Biden is in Europe every important situation gets a different code and codes aren't reused.
That's my two cents anyway.
I'd imagine it's probably something like InevitableSwing said, but also just a way to help in general with language/directions/etc. Instead of saying "Biden leaving the Oval" or "Obama en route to Chicago", both which (for example) can have numerous different meanings - is it Malia, Barack, or Michelle en route to Chicago? Beau is leaving the Oval, or is it Hunter? Same goes for just saying like "the President" - that could be misheard as Vice-President or something equally unimportant. Having a code name, even if it's public knowledge, helps with that. Doesn't really matter if they're public tbh because you'd assume that the line of communication itself is private - and even outside of that, it's less for obfuscation and more for just ensuring both parties easily know who/what the fuck is being discussed.
At least, that's my two cents and how I'd justify giving out codenames in any sort of situation I'm given leadership in.
Codenames are also chosen so they are understood over something like a radio even if the radio has static and you only get half the word. It's why the military alphabet (alpha Bravo Charlie etc) is what it is. If you only here "tel" you know it's "hotel" and therefore a H.
Anyone on hexbear.net or encyclopedia britannica now knows the code names