The term functions as a compound noun, or more precisely, a noun phrase. In this construction, the head of the phrase is the noun "cannibal," which identifies the subject. The numeral "911" acts as a modifier, specifically an attributive noun, functioning like an adjective. It specifies the context of the subject, linking it directly to an emergency event or call, thereby creating a unique, descriptive label for a specific individual or incident.
This phrase is a colloquial identifier that emerged from the 2012 Miami Causeway attack. In this widely publicized incident, a man named Rudy Eugene was discovered assaulting and biting the face of another man. The event's notoriety was amplified by the disturbing nature of the 911 calls made by witnesses, which were subsequently released to the media. The term is not a formal or clinical classification but a media-driven and public shorthand used to reference this particular event, encapsulating both the act and the emergency response that brought it to public attention.
Understanding this phrase as a specific noun label is essential for analysis. It operates as a proper noun to denote a singular, shocking event, rather than a general category. Its structure highlights the modern phenomenon of sensational news stories being named and categorized by a key element of their discovery or reporting, in this case, the emergency call system. The grammatical function as a specific identifier is therefore central to comprehending its use in media discourse and public memory.
