Interesting Word – Gender
One of Britain’s biggest banks, HSBC, is going to offer its customers an extra 10 gender neutral options for people who do not wish to be identified by gender. (Usually you get the choice of “Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms”, but they have now added the following titles: Mx (pronounced “mix” or “mux”) Ind (an abbreviation of individual) […]
Interesting Words – Gender-neutral Terms
It seems that Cardiff Metropolitan University is trying to stop lecturers from using phrases they deem sexist; such as ‘right-hand man’, ‘gentleman’s agreement’, ‘man in the street’, ‘housewife’ and ‘forefathers’ in favour of gender-neutral terms. (The following gender-neutral terms have been suggested:- Forefathers – Forebears Gentleman’s agreement – Agreement based on trust. Girls (for adults) […]
Interesting Words – Dictionary Additions
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added over 1,000 words. (New entries include air-punching – the act of thrusting a clenched fist into the air in elation or triumph. A gender for designating people who do not identify themselves as a particular gender. Bovver – part of the catchphrase of comedian Catherine Tate’s teenage character […]
Interesting Fact – The Chilcot Report
The Chilcot report into the Iraq war cost £10,375,000.00. It consists of 12-volumes containing 2.6 million words. (The inquiry was launched on 30 July 2009, to cover the period of 2001 to the end of July 2009. Over 100 witnesses were called. The findings of the report were that British military action was not the […]
Interesting Words – Cupcake / Sissy etc.
According to guidelines drawn up by, of all things, the Institute of Physics the following words and phrases should be avoided to prevent sexism. SissyDon’t be a girlMan upCupcake (Senior teachers will be appointed ‘gender champions’, in a bid to eliminate gender stereotyping. I would suggest they add, “grow a pair” and “you throw like […]