Banned British Words
To be more accurate, the following terms are banned in one place or another of the United Kingdom, according to the Phrase and Word Origins page of the English Usage website:
* nitty-gritty (offends Negros, blacks, colored people)
* good egg (same)
* homosexual (gay men)
* history (women)
* hard-working (disabled)
* gobbledygook (?)
This is a small example of political correctness run amok (oops! does that word tick off someone? An Alaskan Indian tribe perhaps?) (Double oops!! Make that "native American") Oh, it's enough to make a writer give up the art and craft. Not only can you not please everyone, it seems that you can't write or speak publicly without treading on tender toes. Will the overly sensitive wussies please sit down!
* nitty-gritty (offends Negros, blacks, colored people)
* good egg (same)
* homosexual (gay men)
* history (women)
* hard-working (disabled)
* gobbledygook (?)
This is a small example of political correctness run amok (oops! does that word tick off someone? An Alaskan Indian tribe perhaps?) (Double oops!! Make that "native American") Oh, it's enough to make a writer give up the art and craft. Not only can you not please everyone, it seems that you can't write or speak publicly without treading on tender toes. Will the overly sensitive wussies please sit down!
Labels: English, words, writing
posted by Georganna Hancock M.S. | 11:25 AM
2 Comments:
I think 'Phrase and Word Origins' are being a little pedantic. I've not heard of those words being banned and hear them spoken often. Political Correctness is going over the top however, that is true.
Beaman, you have to go to the source (link provided) to read where in the U.K. these words are banned. It isn't a general ban for the public. Specific institutions have forbidden the use. I just thought the whole thing was so silly, especially the reasons why.
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